The Power of Feedback—and the Filters That Shape Us Feedback is essential for any writer. I regularly ask for critiques on both structure (Does the article flow well? Is it easy to read?) and content (Did it make you think? Did it draw you in?). Friends, family, and strangers all offer valuable perspectives, but their reactions often differ wildly—especially when it comes to content. Recently, a close friend gave me blunt feedback on an article: parts of it just didn’t resonate with him. Instead of defending my work (ego is the enemy of growth), I dug deeper. What emerged was a fascinating revelation: our worldviews were fundamentally opposed. How could two people read the same piece and have such different reactions? How We See the World Our interpretations of reality are shaped by invisible filters—mental lenses that distort, emphasize, or even ignore information to fit our beliefs. Scott Adams often discusses this in politics, where “reality filters” bend facts to align with preconceived narratives. But these filters run deeper than politics; they’re embedded in our core beliefs. Think of knowledge as a Jenga tower: foundational blocks support everything above them. At the base are primal concepts—like our understanding of human nature. During that feedback conversation, I realized my friend and I disagreed at this foundational level: • His view: Humans are inherently good, driven by virtue. • My view: Humans are animals, shaped by evolution. Our ancient limbic system (emotion) often battles our prefrontal cortex (logic). This divergence colors everything—our politics, philosophies, even how we interpret the same article. Yet these clashes are invaluable. They expose our filters and force us to question them. How Filters Shape Mindset This ties perfectly into my earlier writing on mindset. Your core filters dictate how you see the world: • Scarcity mindset: Life is a zero-sum game; setbacks are proof the world is against you. • Abundance mindset: Challenges are opportunities; wealth and success can be created. Stoicism resonates with me because it teaches reframing—changing the filter. Robert Greene’s work does the same. His writing dissects the darker aspects of human nature, yet his central lesson is empathy: understanding others’ motivations lets you craft win-win outcomes. For example, in sales: • Is your client pressured to hit a bonus target? • Are they solving a strategic problem? • What emotions drive their decisions? Peeling back these layers is like gaining a superpower. You see the world through others’ eyes—and that’s where real connection begins. A Question to Leave You With Before you go, ask yourself: “Why do I believe what I believe?” Start there, and you’ll unlock a deeper understanding of yourself—and others. As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts.