You Can't Read Minds - So Don't Act As If You Can
Channel: Alex Zorach
Date: 12/09/2014

Here I talk about a profound insight that has greatly improved my life, including my ability to relate to people and groups of people in situations of conflict.  The insight starts with the very basic observation that humans cannot read each other's minds...but that people often make statements that suggest that they know with certainty what other people are thinking.

I give examples of these sorts of statements, both in terms of advice people give, things people say to each other, and things people write, especially about groups of people, especially in political rhetoric.

I explain how making statements about what other people are thinking, especially negative statements, can create conflict both in relationships between people, and groups of people, and I call on people to question this practice and exercise restraint when it comes to talking or writing about other people's thoughts, motivations, or intentions.