By Jim Newton, Itasca, Ailing.
Monday, Nov. 25, 2024 | 2 a.m.
I recognize that Invoice Maher will scorn left-leaning thinkers nearly as a lot as conservatives. However he’s been getting on my nerves.
What irks me is that Maher humanizes visitors I don’t look after, each Democrats and Republicans. With him, they arrive throughout as smart, self-effacing and — this actually hurts — likable. If there’s one factor I hate, it’s being cajoled into liking somebody I detest earlier than I’m good and prepared.
My father advised my brother and me that if we’re sincere, the folks we don’t like are these we don’t know very properly. I’ve discovered this to be true, particularly of candidates most of us by no means meet.
I’m additionally fighting affirmation bias: adopting a standpoint, then solely contemplating data that helps that view. I attribute my battle with this affliction to congressional wrangling since Jan. 6, 2021.
I counter this situation through journalists like S.E. Cupp, Gene Lyons, Mona Charen, Fareed Zakaria and David Brooks. They’re my 12-step program to cease my slide into affirmation bias.
The excellent news is that this program nonetheless has openings — assuming that potential members admit they’ve an issue.
