We all have a natural tendency to lean into stuff that lines up with what we already believe. Think of beliefs as these little mental apps we have running in the background. Take the term 'Bitcoiner' — it's not just about the cryptocurrency, it's a whole identity, kind of like a viral meme that people get behind. When you're part of the Bitcoiner crowd, it's like being in a special club that boosts your ego.
Now imagine your Bitcoiner belief app gets a bit of a shake-up from someone outside the group, maybe someone dubbed a 'shitcoiner.' That's when the mental alarm bells start ringing. It's not just a debate about crypto, it feels like a personal attack. So what do we do? We get mad. It's our brain's way of trying to protect our Bitcoiner club card and, in a roundabout way, our own pride.
And hey, it's similar with other labels like being a libertarian. That's another identity with its own set of mental apps. Sometimes these belief apps can run side by side without any hiccups. But when they do clash, or when someone pokes at them, we feel those negative vibes. It's like our mind's way of saying, "Heads up, something's poking at your identity. Time to take a closer look.
Great reply. You basically summed it up.
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