Remove Your Blinders - Personal Bias Filtering

[MichSwampbuck]

When I post in forums or post comments in social media, I put a lot of effort in wording my statements very carefully and clearly. I provide sources and information where necessary and try and be sure I have made my point without logical or grammatical errors and typos. I very often edit my post two or three times after posting it.

However, no matter how well I make my points and clearly state what I am trying to convey, even repeating it from different angles, many people (if not most) tend to see and hear only what they expect to be seeing and hearing. This happens just as often when talking directly in person during general conversations.

People will even "jump the gun" and assume what you are going to say and cut you off from completing your thought. It can get so bad you can't even finish your first sentence. Of course, this can't happen online when you can finish writing before posting it, but that doesn't stop people from filtering out your talking points and offering some counter point they have, even if it is entirely unrelated to what you have said.

It is as if people read or hear something and it gets filtered and processed into some personal bias they have when confronted with a topic. Take any topic, it doesn't even have to be controversial, and someone will twist your words to make it fit their bias, and they may even get nasty about it. It seems so structured to automatically rearrange your perspective to fit some preprogrammed notion of any subject. I don't believe that this is intentional but more like a habit of not really listening or trying to comprehend what was just read.

It should be noted that some subjects are so out-of-the-box, that a response as I describe is likely a natural one. We can't but help to see things based on our life's experiences and what we have come to believe is true. I'm not really talking about that. I am talking about the contortions you have to go though to explain yourself when the first time around you couldn't have expressed yourself more clearly. It seems like people have been programmed at some point to skew reality into something they think they understand so they can ignore it and get on with their day.

[quintessentone]

It may be that they are introducing a new way of looking at things to the discussion and that it may be your bias that rejects it as something you think or want it to be. Ever think of that?

[MichSwampbuck]

It may be that they are introducing a new way of looking at things to the discussion and that it may be your bias that rejects it as something you think or want it to be. Ever think of that?

No, I'd never think of something like that as it would bruise my delicate ego. I'm sure that a mighty intellect such as myself couldn't be wrong, so that is entirely out of the question.

Note to self: Some people have a harder time with sarcasm.

[quintessentone]

No, I'd never think of something like that as it would bruise my delicate ego. I'm sure that a mighty intellect such as myself couldn't be wrong, so that is entirely out of the question.

So, you agree then it's a two-way street with this bias filtering and it's an absolute normal thing for people to have?

This is just a discussion board and as such I don't expect to convince anyone of anything, but that does not stop me in giving my opinion because I may find a like-minded member here where the discussion can have a mutually beneficial outcome.

[MichSwampbuck]

So, you agree then it's a two-way street with this bias filtering and it's an absolute normal thing for people to have?

This is just a discussion board and as such I don't expect to convince anyone of anything, but that does not stop me in giving my opinion because I may find a like-minded member here where the discussion can have a mutually beneficial outcome.

If you carefully read what I wrote in the OP, you'd see how you filtered out that I stated that it was normal.

Your second statement is entirely unrelated and seems rather defensive, like I was pointing a finger your way. I'm sorry, but you were the last person I had in mind when I posted this thread. Now, however, you might become the poster child of my biased observations if you continue to prove my points by the examples you are providing.

[quintessentone]

If you carefully read what I wrote in the OP, you'd see how you filtered out that I stated that it was normal.

Your second statement is entirely unrelated and seems rather defensive, like I was pointing a finger your way. I'm sorry, but you were the last person I had in mind when I posted this thread. Now, however, you might become the poster child of my biased observations if you continue to prove my points by the examples you are providing.

I absolutely did not think you were pointing a finger at me, because I read your post where your finger pointing is at 'most' people, but not yourself.

So, what's your point? That it's normal! Got it.

[Good Bacteria]

If you carefully read what I wrote in the OP, you'd see how you filtered out that I stated that it was normal.

Your second statement is entirely unrelated and seems rather defensive, like I was pointing a finger your way. I'm sorry, but you were the last person I had in mind when I posted this thread. Now, however, you might become the poster child of my biased observations if you continue to prove my points by the examples you are providing.

That was an interesting read. Your post and your initial engagement with another member.

What you described happened right on cue. We should probably all take a step back, or at least try and limit the tiktok usage, maybe?

There is a cost to using these "devices".

[MichSwampbuck]

I absolutely did not think you were pointing a finger at me, because I read your post where your finger pointing is at 'most' people, but not yourself.

So, what's your point? That it's normal! Got it.

Yeah, OK. Just like you say then.

Keep going, maybe you have some point for jumping on this one. Otherwise, I'll quote where I said it was normal.

" . . . a response as I describe is likely a natural one. We can't but help to see things based on our life's experiences and what we have come to believe is true. I'm not really talking about that."

As for most people, I'm tempted to say everyone, but I don't believe in absolutes like the "allness" attitude and can't believe everyone is that way.

[quintessentone]

That was an interesting read. Your post and your initial engagement with another member.

What you described happened right on que. We should probably all take a step back, or at least try and limit the tiktok usage, maybe?

There is a cost to using these "devices".

Not true. 

I asked for verification that what I understood his meaning that bias filtering to be normal. His reply was that I didn't read his post.

I noticed in his post his finger pointing at 'most' people, but not at himself.

His reply, you are paranoid.

Just the ridiculousness of it all.

[MichSwampbuck]

Not true. 

I asked for verification that what I understood his meaning that bias filtering to be normal. His reply was that I didn't read his post.

I noticed in his post his finger pointing at 'most' people, but not at himself.

His reply, you are paranoid.

Just the ridiculousness of it all.

You are claiming that I wrote that you are paranoid, I never said that. I may have implied it somehow, but I wasn't thinking you were paranoid. Self-obsessed maybe, but not paranoid really.

I re-posted my "its normal statement".

I stand by my most people statement and have explained why.

Filter bias much?