It takes all sorts

17th July 2004
Time : 1100 hrs

"We can usually learn much more from people whose views we share than from people whose views contradict our own; disagreement can cause stress and inhibit learning."
Almost 2 years back, fresh out of college, I had written an essay on the above topic, which stated that we can learn from both types.That was more on instinct and less on experience, cause the majority of people I interacted with had similar(rather, not vastly different) perspectives on things that mattered(or so we thought).Now, ofcourse, well into my second job and having worked with as varied a set of people as possible,I can quite safely say that my instincts were most certainly right.
Here's the essay that I'm talking about :
With the dawn of the 21st century,we find ourselves in a much smaller world.The revolutionary internet is now changing society norms and we find ourselves interacting with a variety of people and we can learn a lot from those not only whom we agree with but also from those whose views we find contradictory.
It is necessary to have friends with like minded views in our company, not only because it makes interaction much easier but also because agreement is basis on which companies, industries and societies are built.It is often found that the sacred institution of marriage is strengthened and successful,if the two people involved share similar views and although opposites attract, like adhere. History stands witness to the fact, that when individuals with similar ideas and ideals meet an event or invention isn’t faraway. Like minded people are a constant source of encouragement and support. Be it in the fields of entertainment or science and technology we find that when similar minded people come together the unseemingly impossible can be obtained.
Like minded people are a quite simply a necessity. Without whose interaction we would find ourselves quite alone and lost.
On the other hand, the society of *only* like minded people would not only hinder a person’s progress but also in turn affect the progress of a community. If we were to interact with only those with whom our thoughts converge we will begin to believe that we alone are right and infallible. For e.g., till until the last century most of the prominent scientists of that time believed that the earth was flat , had it not been for the contradictory views we would be still under that(what now seems like a)ludicrous fallacy. Contradiction is a key component necessary for the smooth functioning of society. It leads to introspection , rethinking and reevaluation of issues which in turn triggers a chain reaction, the end result of which is ( more often than not) a deeper understanding of the situation.
Hence, disagreement is very often the secret ingredient for the successful recipe of life.
Growth is a thus, a process, for the persistence of which , a symbiotic relationship between the individuals whose views we share and don’t, is an essential .This is a fact of paramount importance which should in no eventuality be ignored. Thus, evolution dictates that a balance be struck, so that the like and dissimilar minded people can harmoniously exist leading to mutual growth.