Why do small minds always react negatively to what they don't understand?

[Nikki1989]

[slatyb]

They are frightened by the complexities and would rather not think about it, so they shout that it's just common sense and the people who have studied it are just overcomplicating something that is really simple. They just close their eyes, stick their fingers in their ears, and say "libtard" over and over until it goes away.

[Nikki1989]

Yeah, you see that a lot on here.

[Friendlybro79]

Because they don't know they have small minds. They think they're so intelligent that if they don't understand something it must be bad.

[Nikki1989]

Yeah, I always say the people who like to think are so smart always tend to sound the most stupid.

[Friendlybro79]

Lol. Very true for many people. My grandfather who didn't graduate highschool because he had to work the family business said to me once, (paraphrasing) You're not always the smartest in the room and that's ok. Learn to recognize that, as that's a sign of intelligence. Then when you realize that, keep your mouth shut and learn. He also suggested surrounding myself with people that are smarter than yourself so that you could learn from each other.

[ohsheeT]

Small minds like to talk about other people

Medium minds what to talk to people to bounce there inventions off people to create a better life

Big minds talk about Investments cures for health going to the Moon to make the world a better place


And people with crazy Minds just come to gag to get knowledge any which way possible LOL

[thegreenyogi]

Because small minds are simply that. Small. So what does that mean in simple terms? They feel threatened or triggered by all that is unfamiliar to them and stepping outside of their comfort zone makes small minds feel uncomfortable. And that in turn generates insecurity which in turn generates fear which cause a adverse reaction which is negative. It's the reason why the broader your horizons are mentally the more flexible you are and the less attached you will be to your comfort zone. And the saying " you don't see further than your nose" is pretty accurate. Finally the limitation of a small mind is that thinking small is in itself limited.

[MrChinaski]

It takes work to think. It takes work to empathise. It takes work to question your own values. And it takes work to recognise that almost everything in life you don't really know and accept that other people's perspectives have merit too.

Most people aren't willing to put the work into being curious.

About half the people on this site are in this category in my experience.

[MrChinaski]

Life is pretty much one big Sally-Anne test. The idea that someone else can know something you don't know, or not know something that you do know, is elusive.

[loveslongnails]

I think the question contains the answer, yes? Small minded people accommodate anything they don't know or understand to align with what they already know, or reject it outright. Open minded people gather what they don't know or understand, process it using logical, valid critical analysis (which often means research), and then retain and assimilate new knowledge to add to their understanding.

[NathanDavis]

that's just our caveman nature

me don't get it... me kill it

[_Jenny_]

Good question @Nikki1989 I don’t understand

[andreasderjuengere]

What? ... 😁
-
Indeed, there should be step ladders for small minds:
to look beyond their fence (or wall, if one must)

[AngryCarl3]

It's a simple fight or flight response. Anything unfamiliar is perceived as a threat. Like when aliens land in your back garden.

[CubaPirate]

Because they dont engage their brain before speaking

[jenna815]

It's easier to act that way than brave another person to ask what's going on to fix their ignorance

[MissSunshine2]

I think it's fear.

[Xawyx-2]

They are frustrated, and often egotists.