summary ofWillful BlindnessBook by Margaret Heffernan

first KEY POINT

Our tendency to be willfully blind

“How could I have been so blind?” That's the expression that comes to mind when we realize our current dilemma is something we could have prevented if only we’d paid attention to all the signs and warnings staring us in the face all along.We often find ourselves in such a situation because we are hard-wired to see only what we want. And as humans, the only things we want to see are the things that make us feel good about ourselves, which confirm our biases. If there is anything that has a different effect, our mind will simply choose not to notice it, no matter how obvious it is. According to Margaret Heffernan, this cognitive phenomenon is known as willful blindness.

Individually or collectively, willful blindness is a human phenomenon to which we all yield in minor and significant matters. We can’t absorb and comprehend everything we encounter: the cognitive constraints of our brains simply won’t allow us to.This point implies that we must screen what we absorb. Therefore, what we opt to admit and exclude is crucial. We largely accept the information that boosts our self-esteem while selectively filtering out whatever challenges our delicate egos and core beliefs the most.In this summary, we will examine how willful blindness is perilous for us and the people around us. And most importantly, you will discover how you can achieve real power and unleash your capacity for change by learning to confront facts and fears.