Monday, November 4, 2024
HomeNotes From KathyA Little Cognitive Dissonance

A Little Cognitive Dissonance

If you only like to read things that match your view of the world, this week’s article collection might be a little uncomfortable. It’s all about research with answers different than what we expect. But we can make it a little easier by prepping our brains with a little exercise:

Question: What do you do when you encounter information that challenges long-held beliefs?

Most of us get defensive to some degree. In fact, research shows that the more the information challenges our sense of self, the more threatened we feel and the more defensive we become, making us less likely to listen to or accept the information. The problem is we may ignore something truly helpful, something that could make our lives better.

So, as you read this week’s article collection, I’m going to ask you not to react, but to pause, and then respond. What’s the difference? As Sabrina Baker of Acacia HR Solutions writes:

“A reaction is typically quick, without much thought, tense and aggressive. It typically provokes more reactions, perpetuating a long line of hatefulness with nothing accomplished. A response typically provokes [constructive] discussion that leads to resolution.

“Reaction is quick. Response takes time. Reaction is emotion-filled. Response removes all emotion.”

It’s hard, but it’s worth it. It’s also a chance for us to consider renowned scientist Richard Feynman’s First Principle:

All we’re doing here is looking at new information and considering what it means for how we manage our pastures and care for our livestock. And to help you, the collection includes two articles with ways to think about timing moves, and infrastructure.

Enjoy this week’s article collection

Thanks for reading!

Kathy

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Kathy Voth
Kathy Vothhttps://onpasture.com
I am the founder, editor and publisher of On Pasture, now retired. My career spanned 40 years of finding creative solutions to problems, and sharing ideas with people that encouraged them to work together and try new things. From figuring out how to teach livestock to eat weeds, to teaching range management to high schoolers, outdoor ed graduation camping trips with fifty 6th graders at a time, building firebreaks with a 130-goat herd, developing the signs and interpretation for the Storm King Fourteen Memorial trail, receiving the Conservation Service Award for my work building the 150-mile mountain bike trail from Grand Junction, Colorado to Moab, Utah...well, the list is long so I'll stop with, I've had a great time and I'm very grateful.

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