REFRAMING FROM BIAS TO BRAIN DAMAGE
“consuming only one perspective literally damages your ability to think.”
The Lesson
Scientists say consuming news from only one perspective literally causes brain damage. Your brain loses the ability to process opposing viewpoints objectively. It's not just bias or team loyalty; it's actual cognitive impairment. Reframe: when someone disagrees with you irrationally, consider they may have genuine brain damage from their information diet. This won't help you win arguments (telling someone they have brain damage doesn't persuade). But it's a useful filter for understanding why some people can't seem to process certain facts. Unless you consume multiple perspectives, you risk the same damage. The reframe isn't about truth. It's about what mental model works better for navigating disagreements.
Real-World Example
A founder is frustrated that a co-founder can't see an obvious market opportunity. Instead of thinking 'they're stupid' or 'they're being difficult,' they apply the brain damage filter: maybe the co-founder's information sources have literally impaired their ability to see this angle. The founder shifts strategy. Instead of arguing, they expose the co-founder to different information sources over time. Gradually, the cognitive flexibility returns.
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