b'EDITORS MESSAGEBENDING YOUR BELIEFSme. Still, Ill tell you that it is a challeng- bending your beliefs to fit the facts. Echo ing thing for anyone, me included. Whichchambers with confirmation bias can easily leads me to the question: why is it so hard tolead to increased polarization in many allow ourselves to change our deep-rootedfields, be they political, social, or technical. beliefs? On many topics, including in agricul-A big reason is that most of us preferture and the seed sector, one might con-the comfort of conviction over the dis- clude that something has gone wrong with comfort of doubt. And we prefer opinionsthe flow of information. After all, how that make us feel good and right insteadcan different people arrive at such differ-of opinions that make us think hard. Theent perspectives, especially if others per-result is that people surround themselvesspectives seem so entirely wrong? Blame with others who agree with their opinionsecho chambers and filter bubbles, which rather than with those who challenge them. encourage different people to draw slightly That has resulted in two key phenom- or sometimes entirely different conclusions ena: echo chambers and filter bubbles. Bothdespite access to the same global set of facts.are very common in many social or newsSome experts have started to worry media settings, and we hear so much aboutthat too few people care about the truth Marcel Bruins these two that one might think they are thetoday, which would be an incredibly wor-same. But there are some important differ- rying development, or that perhaps politi-ences between them. cal (or other) allegiances have replaced our A sk yourself: when was the last timeBoth are social structures that system- basic reasoning skills. It could be that we that you allowed yourself to changeatically exclude certain sources of informa- have all become locked into one or more your mind on a deep-rooted belief?tion. Existing views are reinforced, andecho chambers. The result is that we are The key in that question is allowed yourselfalternative ideas are not considered. Bothencapsulated in an impenetrable circle of because that is the trouble with those deep- exaggerate their inhabitants confidencelike-minded friends, web pages and social rooted beliefs. They are so deeply and firmlyin their beliefs and can make them believemedia feeds.anchored into your convictions, sense of selfthat their uncommon views are widely held.Society would be smarter, braver, and view of the world that it is incrediblyHowever, the two mechanisms change thekinder and safer if we could all develop the hard to give yourself permission to changeflow of information in rather distinct ways. skills to recognize echo chambers and the those convictions even if they might notThe term filter bubble is used tocourage to dismantle them. Individually, we be right. describe the various mechanisms of infor- have a responsibility to do our best to get Like most people, I have deep-rootedmation polarisation that happen online,out of them. But how to break free? Invite beliefs about certain topics, including sev- for example, the algorithms that socialand welcome criticism. Consider opposing eral in the agriculture and seed sectors. Immedia and search engines use to deliverviews. Stay open to ideas. As individuals proud to say I have successfully changedpersonalized content that conforms toand as a society, we can become stronger several of those deep-rooted beliefs in theand reinforces the users existing beliefs. Inby hearing and really considering views past years, including my beliefs on pollina- comparison, an echo chamber refers to boththat differ from ours. The world needs more tors, essential derivation, organics (twice),online and offline environments where apeople who are willing to listen, not talk. intellectual property, NGOs, Black Pete,person by choice or situation is surroundedDont forget that beliefs do not equal truth!and a few others.only by information and opinions thatAt the end of the day, it is all about the To allow myself to do that, I con- reflect and reinforce their own beliefs.truth. But seeking the truth is not about sidered various angles and read a lot ofBoth mechanisms promote whatsvalidating the story in your head. Its about background and especially peer-reviewedcalled a confirmation bias, where peoplerigorously vetting and accepting the story information about the specific topic. I keptnotice evidence that supports their beliefsthat matches the reality in the world.telling myself to remain open to the pos- and ignore evidence that contradicts them. sibility that I might have seen it wrong allThe trouble is that if you apply a confir- Marcel Bruinsthese years. Im a scientist, so the process ofmation bias, you twist the facts to fit youreditorial director, Seed World Europeanalysing information is very familiar forbeliefs. In contrast, critical thinking ismbruins@seedworldgroup.com4ISEED WORLD EUROPEISEEDWORLD.COM/EUROPE'