The Dark Side of Certainty
Art: Peg Carlson-Hoffman + Chuck Hoffman © Genesis+Art
On a train between Oslo and Bergen, Norway
Oslo, Norway
I have really been wrestling with this notion of a dark side of certitude, especially when I seem to speak with my own certainty. The world is filled with concrete, absolute certainty in statements and positions and has little calm for ambiguity. I have noticed the more complex the world event and nuanced cultural issues become, the more people are certain about their positions and even more disturbing, “being right.” The profession of certainty seems over the top emotional rather than intellectual with the boiling point has been reached. This road to certainty needs a filtering system of information, or rather a filtering out of information that becomes biased.
I’m certain I can’t process the amount of information I receive in my daily diet of communications. We begin to oversimplify what we believe if not being downright wrong. The more certain we feel, the more vulnerable we are to noticing only the evidence that supports our beliefs while ignoring or discounting contradictory evidence. Confirmation bias fuels the painful polarization we are currently experiencing in our country, with different factions focusing on what the others overlook or discount.
In a world full of tensions, it is tempting to create a sense pf comfort by constantly seeking confirmation of our preconceived notions of reality. The highly mediated content that we are fed by algorithms are shifting our ability to think rationally by altering our brain chemistry. Our social media algorithms feed and spike our dopamine and cortisol and guides us to feel good about ourselves and think the worst of others. Echo chambers for our group of “like minded” rhythms get built and they continuously inflate the bubble around us. A filter bubble is created at the intersection of algorithms, knowledge, belief, and perception. Things that seem true and universal are often just our unique perception of the world. How do we get out of this?
Becoming aware of our limited perspectives and biases opens great potential for change and connection. By harnessing the power of perception, we challenge not only our own beliefs, but also the judgements and decisions we make based on them. Human curiosity about others and the world in which we depend, roots us in an endless quest for knowledge and understanding. When we stop asking questions, we stop being human and loose connection and empathy. We must continue a journey of curiosity and discovery lest we forget our purpose and wander into chaos. Imagine if we could burst our bubbles and break the habitual patterns of our thinking, and together create a more inclusive society. I wonder how we can grow a society based in love, human rights for all, free speech and encouraging people to talk with one another. This peace filled notion can shed light on the dark side of certainty.
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