Undergoing Personal Submission to the Following Process
In a world where our beliefs and opinions are often shaped by personal experiences and preconceived notions, it's essential to adopt a proactive approach to challenge and refine our thinking. This is the essence of "red teaming" your beliefs, a concept emphasized by acclaimed author Wright Thompson.
Drawing inspiration from the cybersecurity practice, red teaming involves actively challenging and testing your own assumptions and beliefs by adopting an adversarial or critical perspective. The goal is to identify potential flaws or errors in your thinking.
To practice this mindset, you can:
- Intentionally adopt opposing viewpoints or imagine how someone with a different perspective might critique your beliefs.
- Seek out contradictory evidence and give it serious consideration instead of dismissing it.
- Engage in structured debates or discussions where your beliefs are critically examined.
- Question your assumptions regularly, especially those that feel intuitive or emotionally comfortable.
- Simulate scenarios where your beliefs might fail, similar to how cybersecurity professionals test defenses by simulating attacks.
By adopting this approach, you can reveal blind spots and reduce the risk of confirmation bias—favoring information that supports your pre-existing views—thus improving decision-making and intellectual humility.
While Thompson's specific detailed steps beyond naming the concept were not explicitly provided, the core idea parallels the cybersecurity practice of employing an internal "adversary" mindset to rigorously test one’s own beliefs and assumptions.
In a fascinating turn of events, Thompson himself practiced this approach during a fact-check week with his researcher and fact checker, Katie King. They rented a house and spent a week "tearing it apart," metaphorically speaking, to ensure the accuracy and robustness of their work.
The importance of developing practices and cultivating people on your team to help in this process cannot be overstated. As Marcus Aurelius, the ancient Roman emperor and philosopher, once wrote, "If anyone can refute me—show me my error—and I will gladly change, for I seek the truth."
Embracing the spirit of red teaming your beliefs is not a sign of weakness but a testament to your commitment to truth, wisdom, and intellectual growth.
Engaging in practices that promote education-and-self-development, such as intentionally adopting opposing viewpoints, seeking out contradictory evidence, or questioning assumptions, can foster personal-growth by challenging and refining our thinking. In line with Thompson's approach, continuously striving for truth, wisdom, and intellectual growth demonstrates a commitment to personal development and the pursuit of knowledge.
