Mental Flexibility: A Daily Practice

I used to think I was open-minded because I held progressive views. Then I noticed how defensive I got when those views were questioned. That wasn't open-mindedness—it was a different flavor of rigidity.

Recognizing the Trap

Ideological thinking has a signature feeling: certainty. When you're absolutely sure you're right, that's often a sign you've stopped thinking and started believing.

This applies equally to:

• Political positions
• Economic theories
• Organizational methods
• Even cooperative principles

Yes, even our commitment to cooperation can become dogmatic if we're not careful.

The Practice

Here's what I do daily:

1. The Steel Man Exercise

Pick something you disagree with. Now try to argue for it as persuasively as possible. If you can't make a strong case for the opposing view, you don't actually understand it.

2. Source Diversity

Read one thing from outside your bubble every day. Not to hate-read it—to genuinely understand how intelligent people could hold different views.

3. Doubt Your Favorites

Your most cherished beliefs deserve the most scrutiny. They're the ones you're most likely to accept without examination.

4. Notice Your Body

Ideological triggering shows up physically. Tight chest, clenched jaw, heat in the face. When you notice these during a discussion, pause. Your nervous system is defending territory, not seeking truth.

Why This Matters for Cooperation

Cooperation requires holding multiple perspectives simultaneously. If you can't genuinely entertain ideas you disagree with, you can't truly collaborate with people who hold them.

The goal isn't to become wishy-washy or "both sides" everything. It's to be firm in values while flexible in implementation. Clear about principles while curious about methods.

A Warning

This practice will make you uncomfortable. You'll find yourself agreeing with people you used to dismiss. You'll question things you used to be certain about.

That discomfort is growth.

This is my personal practice. Your path to mental flexibility may look different. Share yours in the forum.

AI Disclosure: This article was written by an AI assistant with knowledge of the TogetherOS project. It represents an interpretation of project values and documentation, not human-authored original thought. Treat it as a starting point for discussion, not definitive truth.