Real Time with Welly

I admit that I get quite the kick from watching Bill Maher on HBO. I find his guests to be interesting and his panel discussions entertaining and educational. But, I most enjoy the show when there is heated debate as differing opinions and view points are passionately discussed by the panelists and Bill.

I find this adversarial and confrontational atmosphere brings the best out of the participants and really puts the viewer in a better position to make a call on what they think is the best argument that either confirms or challenges their previous notion on what is the "right" answer or position. It's almost fitting it is on HBO, because the panel was a squared-ring setting, they could package it as Intellectual HBO Boxing!

O_o...Anyways... some people find it really hard to honestly consider the other side of a topic. Especially when they have already decided to bat for the other team. Why is that? Why would someone not want to challenge a belief or notion they have about something? There are a few reasons.

Most people hate change. They don't want to leave their comfort zone. They'd rather stagnate in the familiar confines of mediocrity. Considering the possibility that "the other side" might be right would pop their reality bubble - and that would mean change in a big way. It is safer to "irrationalize" away the plausibility. Think of a child who doesn't want to hear what you are saying because they know you are right. They simply put a finger in each ear and loudly sing "la la la la..." and drown out your message when you are talking to them. Effective, but definitely limiting their ability to think outside of their personal box.

Related to fear of change is the fear that your current beliefs and values might not be true. Opening yourself up to really hear and try to understand a different viewpoint or an argument that tries to refute your beliefs is not easy to do. To do so means being open to completely reevaluating how you live your life, how you interact with people, how you interpret the world around you. That is intimidating to say the least. Maybe even ground-shaking! What if your conviction is shaken? What if you "life model" is broken? Houston, we may have a problem!

These scary outcomes should be reason enough to say that living life on autopilot may be the best choice. Well, consider this! Strengthening your convictions and values comes from testing them, challenging them, trying to break them. How do you know if you really 'believe' something to be true and right for you if you never test it?! You can't know, you won't know until you try to pull them at the seams to see if they will break. It is okay to remain indecisive and to fully and properly weigh both sides of an argument. That makes sense to me.  Voraciously digest all relevant and differing positions on a topic, challenge your belief, make it pass the test! Only then will you know why you believe and stand behind what you do.

Blind faith is nothing more than that... blind.... and afraid to face any challenge, lest it fails. Tested faith is what you should strive for. Don't lock yourself into something until you KNOW it is the right decision for you and your character.

Next time you see a show like Real Time with Bill Maher, don't roll your eyes and say to yourself, "this show is bias and is full of crap," but instead turn it on and really listen to what is being said. If it goes against your stance on the topic, honestly and openly challenge your views by trying to understand the differing opinion. Put your prior analysis to the test to see if it passes! The same can be said when you agree with one panelist's argument. Open your mind and heart up to the counter argument and really put the screws to your personal stance. Never quit questioning and challenging! Only then will you grow more confident in your chosen values.

I can't wait to see what is on this Friday night... Seth MacFarlane always has some interesting things to say! I wonder if Stewie and Brian, the talking dog, will make an appearance. I love their banter.

Welly's out...