Anger is a powerful emotion, and it seems to be more pervasive in our society than ever. Everywhere we look, we see people expressing outrage, attacking those with differing opinions, and engaging in vicious online battles. I see this every day, particularly on Twitter. People choose to be angry about everything, no matter how big or small the issue. The question is, why has anger become so prevalent, and why do people seem to be more interested in being right than in finding the truth?
One reason for the pervasiveness of anger is that it can be addictive. When we get angry, our brains release adrenaline and other chemicals that can give us a rush of energy and excitement. This can lead people to seek out opportunities to become angry or outraged, even when it's not necessarily justified.
Another reason for the prevalence of anger is that people tend to have a deep need to be right. In many cases, people would rather cling to their beliefs and attack those who disagree with them than to admit that they might be wrong. There is no room for uncertainty. People are incredibly reluctant to even consider that they might be incorrect. This is partly due to the fact that our beliefs are often tied up with our sense of identity, and admitting that we are wrong can feel like a threat to our sense of self.
Unfortunately, this focus on being right can often get in the way of finding the truth. When we are so invested in proving our point and attacking those who disagree with us, we may overlook evidence that contradicts our beliefs or fail to consider other perspectives. This can lead to a dangerous polarization of society, where people are more interested in proving their point than in finding common ground or seeking out the truth. We can see this polarization in work on the daily now. People we tend to ‘disagree’ with make valid points, but we ignore them because they are on the wrong team. It’s madness in real time.
So, how can we overcome this pervasive anger and our need to be right? The first step is to be aware of our own biases and to approach disagreements with an open mind. We need to be willing to listen to opposing viewpoints, consider the evidence, and be willing to change our minds if necessary. We need to be open to being completely wrong about things we want to believe.
It's also important to cultivate empathy and understanding. When we can see things from another person's perspective, we are more likely to find common ground and work towards a solution. This means putting aside our own need to be right and focusing on understanding the other person's point of view.
Finally, we need to make a conscious effort to cultivate a sense of civility and respect in our interactions with others. This means avoiding personal attacks and engaging in constructive dialogue, even when we disagree. No one ever changed their mind as a result of someone screaming at them and berating them. The instinct to get angry at someone who says something we disagree with is high, but an angry reaction will ensure they become more hardened in their resolve.
The pervasiveness of anger and the focus on being right over finding the truth are serious issues that are damaging our society, and it’s leading to more division which is something we all actively claim to be a bad thing. If it’s a bad thing, why are you continuing to contribute to it?