Path of least cognitive dissonance

Broadly speaking, the mind when used unconsciously, ⁷ which is the default state promoted by society, tends to minimize cognitive dissonance. It is thus not concerned with having an accurate picture of reality—the mind by itself doesn't perceive reality, it can only project it and perform consistency checks on that simulation—but instead making sure you feel good about yourself, so as to not have to change yourself.
Examples:

• If you fail it's because you didn't receive the right amount of help, or because someone else fucked up. When someone else fails it's because they are lazy or dumb. You are always justified in your shortcomings, whereas other people’s are clear flaws of their character. This is typical double standard.
• If you can't get something in life it's because you didn't care about it in the first place. It's not because you are too afraid to actually try, such as with girls, money, creative work, etc. Likewise if you have something or are working in a certain position, then clearly it's justified. Academia is not great but it's still a functioning system, says the one who works in academia.
• Bad things happen to you because other people are bad, or just lazy or dumb. It's obvious that you are a good person and have the right views, and that anything and anyone that doesn't help you get what you want is bad, stupid, etc.
• More subtle but powerful than the lies I've provided so far is distraction. If you engage with bullshit you might actually admit to yourself that it's bullshit. But if you keep distracting yourself then you never have to interact with the cognitive dissonance in the first place. Lying is okay, but distraction is much much better if you never want to change.
• Distraction includes not doing anything but talking on and on. Gossiping, or talking to yourself, which is really the same thing as gossiping but done internally and with only one person, or writing on social media.
Why must cognitive dissonance be avoided at all costs? Any big inner contradiction signals to the mind that something might have to change. Because deep change is difficult and plain scary at times, the mind prefers to instead change its picture of the world rather than telling you that you need to change. Speaking of which.

Footnotes

⁴ Here is my answer to “why do younger people spend so much time on their phone”: it is a combination of several factors, the first one being the addictiveness of the internet, which in many ways is designed to keep your attention stuck. But more importantly, it is the fact that life in the modern world is so unfulfilling because of how disempowering it is. People escape to play video games because they don't feel any agency in their real life. At least getting better at a video game is somewhat tangible and it's enjoyable, whereas being forced to learn things you couldn't care less about at school is meaningless and feels dreadful, especially for young children who have an incredible amount of energy and curiosity about life.

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2024-08-05