During a recent conversation with an AI, I stumbled upon a thought-provoking distinction between two fundamental mindsets:
- "I want to find out whether my theory is true, even if I'm wrong."
- "I want to find the evidence that proves my theory is true."
The first mindset seeks truth. The second seeks validation.
It is an easy concept to agree with in theory, but much harder to practice in reality. Ask yourself honestly: when someone challenges a belief or idea you have spent years developing, do you become genuinely curious, or do you immediately start building a defense?
Choosing truth over validation requires letting go of the ego. It means being willing to dismantle your own ideas if the evidence points elsewhere, prioritizing what is actually real over being right.