Tuesday, January 07, 2014

660 : Cognitive Dissonance


.
Cognitive Dissonance

We have 
Some odd reactions
When we scratch
And bite;
We know that,
In our heart,
We are good
So can't explain
The spite.

And so
To protect
Our status quo
It’s understood
Our response
Is rather curt—
We justify our actions
And hate
The one we’ve hurt.
.
---
© J Cosmo Newbery 2014
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25 comments:

  1. So very true. My mate and I will be chatting about cognitive dissonance this morning over tea. BTW, it's a bracing -24 C here this morning. That's up ten degrees from yesterday, but not quite a balmy as Oz in summer.

    Peace and joy!

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  2. This poem is marvelous. Love the form you've taken, all staccato and succinct. Rob-bear, it's bitterly cold in my part of the world, too. J Cosmo, have you done a poem about earth's magnetic pole reversal? (Sorry, if I missed one already written, but this topic is sooooo you...)

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    1. Well, that would be a challenge! Any particular reason?

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  3. And then, because hating is also wrong, we shore up and strengthen our justifications... And the pattern is set.

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  4. Oh how these words ring true far too many times! So very powerful indeed!

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  5. a sad reality...when it is all about us...even when we do wrong...pushing the blame off...accepting no wrong of yourself...even our attitudes justifying our behavior....

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  6. Such truth in this! Wonderful!

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  7. Absolutely true. Very nice rhythm and great feel.

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  8. Poem filled with truth. I like it.

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  9. The last three lines are powerfully sad...

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  10. Yep. Sadly true. Good write. :-)

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  11. Nicely condensed into a trickling admission/observation.

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  12. Ooh! I hope not, but you're probably right.

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    Replies
    1. Leon FestingerJanuary 08, 2014

      Oh, it's true enough.

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  13. That a rather depressing notion. I hope that I don't do that!

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  14. It is a sad truth about humans that we are capable of hate. I like the style and form of this poem.

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  15. How the psyche pulls the wool over its own eyes. Nicely done:)

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  16. a rhymed aphorism - well done, JCN ~

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  17. excellent ending... my theory is only those we love or who love us can really hurt us - I suppose there is comfort in walls.

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    1. Yes, that is the case, definitely.

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    2. Actually, thinking about it, no, I think people you don't know can hurt you too. Say when some young kid in a check-out line calls you fat.

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  18. Yes..the human nature of Pride...

    And YES..the reluctance..to see ourselves..as just another human animal...

    The emotion and reaction occurs..the mind explains it away...in other ways...

    But with mindful awareness..in NOW..the emotions and will can become ONE...

    Zen Buddhism..and all of that....2

    OH! and happy NEW Year 2ya2!04!2!

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  19. Sadly often true.....you express it so well.

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