Why is it that some people cannot seem to tolerate an opinion, a view or a position contrary to their own?

A couple of weeks ago I wrote a blog that evidently was not to the liking of one particular reader. The subject matter of the blog is immaterial; it’s the response that rendered me perplexed. The reader stated directly that I was WRONG about the issue I raised and that I shouldn’t comment on things that she perceived to be outside my area of expertise (Psychopharmacology). Well, I believe that I’m more than a one-trick pony, she, well….

opinionMy conclusion is this: Some folks cannot wait to hit the send button or shout their displeasure from the rooftops when confronted by a view of the world contrary to their own.

I believe this is indicative of insecurity. And insecurity breeds threat – which breeds close-mindedness – which breeds a need to challenge the outlier point of view and set the record straight. Rational reasoning goes on hiatus.

Mature, open-minded people can accommodate alternative views and make up their minds independently. They view listening to others as an opportunity to grow and expand their horizons, and they do this without fanfare, making up their minds in private.

I am constantly amazed at how many people I’ve encountered who can set me straight, help me chart a different course of action, or enlighten me in ways that haven’t occurred to me.

In most instances, all I have to do to get it is open my ears.