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Non-obvious Thinking

The Challenge of Thinking in Opposites (And Why It’s Worth Mastering)

Turning discomfort into a tool for creativity and innovation

David Loewen
Pragmatic Wisdom
Published in
7 min readJan 9, 2025

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Why do so many resist stepping into the discomfort of thinking differently?

Because thinking beyond boxed-in perceptions and biases — built across years of family life, peer interaction, schooling, maybe religion, careers, institutions, media, and so on — is hard, maybe unknown, scary.

The reasons are varied and can cut across evolutionary adaptions to community conformity. For example:

1. Cognitive Biases

Our brains are wired for shortcuts. Our brains use a lot of our daily energy. Thinking eats up even more energy.

Confirmation bias seeks evidence to support our beliefs. Status quo bias clings to the familiar.

If we think differently, it feels like a risk we’d rather avoid. Our brains balk — unless we leverage neuroplasticity (our brain’s innate flexibility and plasticity)

2. Cultural Conditioning

From school to the workplace, we’re taught to look for the correct answers, not wrestle with contradictions or question authorities (who live…

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Pragmatic Wisdom
Pragmatic Wisdom

Published in Pragmatic Wisdom

Simple lessons for our complicated modern times, drawn from philosophy, religion, and common sense

David Loewen
David Loewen

Written by David Loewen

Crafting Words Driving Change | Educator | Ghostwriter | Founder Box Cutter Co. | Cofounder Humanity Academy | https://www.davidloewen.org

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