At each and every moment in life we are faced with exactly two choices. There might be times when there seemingly exist three or more choices at some point in time but in reality we just compare two at any given time and pick one and move on to the next set and so on until we are left with just one at the end.
The choice process is something we are consciously aware of (in very few cases) or something that we subconsciously are a part of (overwhelming majority of the times).
Right from something as big as a life/career decision (which we, on the outside, seem to be making consciously) to something less important like whether I will attend a particular event or visit someplace to something totally trivial such as deciding what to eat or what to see on television – all are directly influenced by what we choose.
And what influences choices? Prejudice.
It's almost never the situation, or for that matter even the potential outcomes, which influences a choice. More often than not it's something for or against something/someone that has happened in the past which influences that.
Me not going to a certain movie is based on my prejudices for a certain actor.
Me not opting for interviewing with a certain company because I believe they make people work a lot.
Me not meeting a friend because I haven't had great interactions with her in the past.
Me avoiding a colleague because I have this notion that he is obnoxious.
And as I am building prejudices against everyone/everything all the time I am not making a just decision ever. All prejudices are inherently harmful. No prejudice helps even if it appears good as eventually it stops one from making the most appropriate call when faced with a choice.
Prejudices make one falter.
Prejudices make one fail.
Prejudices kill.
The choice process is something we are consciously aware of (in very few cases) or something that we subconsciously are a part of (overwhelming majority of the times).
Right from something as big as a life/career decision (which we, on the outside, seem to be making consciously) to something less important like whether I will attend a particular event or visit someplace to something totally trivial such as deciding what to eat or what to see on television – all are directly influenced by what we choose.
And what influences choices? Prejudice.
It's almost never the situation, or for that matter even the potential outcomes, which influences a choice. More often than not it's something for or against something/someone that has happened in the past which influences that.
Me not going to a certain movie is based on my prejudices for a certain actor.
Me not opting for interviewing with a certain company because I believe they make people work a lot.
Me not meeting a friend because I haven't had great interactions with her in the past.
Me avoiding a colleague because I have this notion that he is obnoxious.
And as I am building prejudices against everyone/everything all the time I am not making a just decision ever. All prejudices are inherently harmful. No prejudice helps even if it appears good as eventually it stops one from making the most appropriate call when faced with a choice.
Prejudices make one falter.
Prejudices make one fail.
Prejudices kill.
» Post a Comment