Understanding Our Impulse to Judge in a World of Knowledge
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Chapter 1: The Nature of Quick Judgments
In today's world, where endless information is just a click away, it's fascinating to observe how quickly we can judge others.
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Section 1.1: Personal Experiences with Judgment
Recently, I've encountered a rather curious trend. Individuals tend to seize on a single detail regarding a person or a situation and assume they have a complete understanding.
For instance, I penned a candid piece discussing my insecurities about my appearance. Everyone grapples with such feelings. Show me someone entirely satisfied with their looks every single day, and I’ll either point to a deceptive individual or a robot. Thus, I believed my commentary was relatively uncontroversial.
To my surprise, it sparked significant attention, but what truly astonished me were the comments suggesting I “needed to cultivate some interests beyond my appearance.” In my decade-long writing journey, that was the only article where I addressed my face. This fact is easily verifiable through my profiles across various platforms. It’s quite an absurd leap to assume that because I wrote about it once, it must dominate my thoughts.
I encountered a similar reaction when I mentioned it felt odd when people express gratitude for reading my work. Suddenly, I was labeled as a rude, ungrateful person who had never thanked anyone, despite the fact that my comments were specifically about receiving thanks, not giving it. Again, no one paused to check the context.
Section 1.2: Misconceptions and Generalizations
In another instance, a man claimed that Europeans “don’t have washing machines.” This assertion starkly contradicted my experiences as a European, and I pointed this out. However, he remained firm in his belief, having once stayed in a house in Europe—although he didn’t specify which of the 50 countries—where there was no washing machine, leading him to generalize that this must be true everywhere on the continent.
He also stated that all Europeans live in very old buildings. While my residence was constructed in 1860 (which isn't particularly ancient in the context of the UK), I live just around the corner from a concrete structure built in 1992. If it were a person, it wouldn't even be 30 yet, though it certainly hasn't aged gracefully.
Imagine existing in a world filled with infinite knowledge at our fingertips—accessible on our computers and smartphones. You could simply open a web browser, type “do Europeans have washing machines,” and discover the truth within 30 seconds.
Oh, but wait. We do live in such a world, and yet it seems otherwise at times. We have the entirety of human knowledge at our disposal whenever we desire. So, why do we continue to make hasty judgments when we have the tools to do better? It's crucial to ask questions before jumping to conclusions. Just Google it. You can thank me later.
At the very least, consider stepping away from distractions for a few minutes and read a book. These days, downloading one is easier than ever.
Chapter 2: The Impact of Our Judgments
This TEDx talk by Joslyn Openshaw delves into the reasons behind our tendency to judge others swiftly, urging viewers to reflect on their biases and perceptions.
In this insightful discussion, Tyler and Jeffy reveal how our judgments are often based on incomplete information and encourage us to embrace a more nuanced understanding of people.