Are Your Thoughts Yours—Or Just Well-Worn Hand-Me-Downs?

A while back, I got into a conversation—okay, an argument—on social media about freedom of speech. Classic internet move, I know. It started off civil enough, but within a few comments, people were tossing around phrases like “cancel culture” and “free country” like dodgeballs. What struck me wasn’t just how passionately people defended their stance—but how little anyone was actually listening. Everyone had their talking points locked and loaded, like pre-programmed bots just waiting for their turn to reply. I realised none of us were there to learn—we were just rearranging our prejudices and calling it dialogue.

That quote—“A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices”—hits like a gentle slap. It’s a reminder that real thinking means letting your beliefs be questioned, challenged, and even—gasp—changed. Rearranging your prejudices might feel like thinking because you're mentally busy, but it’s really just intellectual spring cleaning. You’re not bringing in new furniture—you’re just moving the same old couch from one corner to another.

True thought asks something more uncomfortable from us: curiosity over certainty. Reflection over reaction. It means being willing to say, “Huh, I might be wrong.” And that’s not weakness—that’s where wisdom begins. Whether it’s politics, work, or relationships, asking “What if I’m not seeing the full picture?” can open up space for better understanding—and better decisions.

So the next time you catch yourself in a heated argument or knee-deep in a passionate opinion, pause and ask: Am I thinking—or just defending what I’ve always believed? Open the window. Let in some fresh ideas. Who knows—you might end up with a new favorite mental sofa.

ChillaxTribe

POSITIVE AFFIRMATION

I welcome fresh perspectives, even if they challenge my comfort.