I’m currently reading The Brain That Changes Itself by Norman Doidge. (It’s a surprisingly easy read given the scientific nature of the subject.) The book focuses on explaining the concept of neuroplasticity, or brain’s ability to reorganize itself. Using stories and anecdotes, Doidge illustrates that our minds have a far greater capacity for change than we are aware.

Though it takes considerable effort, our brains have the potential to overcome major neurological issues. For example, our brains have the adaptive potential to recover use of affected limbs after a stroke or learn new motor skills after a life time of cerebral palsy, something once considered impossible. If the individual brain is capable of accomplishing such feats, how amazing would it be if we could make a societal shift towards the mere act of thinking differently?

The average person is extraordinarily attached to their way of thinking. Issues like political parties, religious beliefs, and values are deeply entrenched emotionally. I’m not saying that values should be plastic; indeed, you could argue quite the opposite. But people’s willingness to EXAMINE their values should be fluid and flexible. Adherence is fine, but adherence without analyzing the other side of the issue and without truly understanding what you profess to believe is ignorance.

Perhaps it’s just election season, but I’m tired of watching a country full of people who are absolutely convinced they’re right. How much greater would debate be if more of us stopped spewing ideological rhetoric and started actually examining both sides of the issue?

Neuroplasticity is a proven phenomenon. Possessing the emotional plasticity to willingly explore ideas is far from common.

“The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function.” -F. Scott Fitzgerald