History repeats itself

 “ If history repeats itself, and the unexpected always happens, how incapable must Man be of learning from experience. ”

― George Bernard Shaw 

People jealously defend their opinions.  Their political positions are typically unchallengeable.  As the quote above suggests, this only leads to more of the same.  Why do we so ardently refuse to see the other point of view? Because it is threatening to our self-esteem.  It threatens our sense of self.  It challenges our image of who we are.  It is ego.  Even clear evidence cannot prevail against ego.  Why? Because our limbic system is geared to self-preservation.  And self-preservation means preserving not only our physical lives, but also our intellectual selves.  Hence the reason for the gridlock in Washington.  Hence the reason for misunderstandings overall.  Once we understand the phenomenon, we can then allow ourselves to calmly listen to other points of view, and assess their merit dispassionately.  This takes courage, because it may mean that we must acknowledge and accept another point of view, and that we might feel is an embarrassment, loss of face, capitulation.  It is not.  Acknowledging a point of view that makes sense comes from strength.