Some Shields Block The Wrong Things

The biggest threat to truth isn’t always visibility... sometimes it’s resistance.

Some things are unknown because we’ve never encountered them.
Other things are unknown because we chose not to look.

That’s the difference between Blind Spots and Cognitive Shields.

Blind Spots are what you don’t see.
You’re unaware.
You haven’t been exposed yet.
That’s understandable.

Cognitive Shields are different.
The information is available.
Different perspectives are present.
But they aren't even examined because they feel inconvenient or threatening.

 Cognitive Shields are the mental defenses that block, filter, or dismiss information that challenges our beliefs, identity, or comfort.

Blind Spots are passive and innocent.

Cognitive Shields are active and intentional.

You can’t expand your thinking if new information never gets past the shield.
You can’t improve actions if different perspectives are dismissed before being considered.
You can’t claim to be a critical thinker while selectively avoiding information that challenges what you "think" you know.

Strong opinions don’t always come from strong thinking.

Multiple perspectives matter because they strengthen understanding.

Strong minds don’t fear opposing views.
They examine them.

Strong beliefs don’t need shields.
They can handle interrogation and scrutiny.

Truth does not fear examination.

What ideas or beliefs am I unwilling to test?