Ranjeet - sad, but true - confirmation bias is real and nearly impossible to overcome. As the great Paul Simon wrote: "All lies and jest

Still, a man hears what he wants to hear

And disregards the rest."

Unfortunately we all tend to build our world view around closely held beliefs. Accepting something that goes against our beliefs (even if minor) risks toppling our entire system of meaning and purpose. It is exceedingly hard, therefore, to change one's mind.

Unfortunately loud voices from the left and right accuse each other of being stupid and/or evil when in disagreement. This has the effect of making the exceedingly difficult impossible. Human nature is such that insults merely drive us deeper into our "in-group" beliefs. Ergo, when trying to convince or persuade it is critical to be kind and patient.

While media and social media are dominated by vitriol, I'm encouraged, nonetheless, about organizations like "Our Braver Angels" that try to find common ground.

"We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature." Abraham Lincoln