Why Don't They Get It? Overcoming Bias In Others

by Brian D. McLaren

This e-book is the basis for the podcast series Learning How to See. If you’re a teacher, pastor, activist, community organizer, public servant, political candidate, writer, public speaker, blogger, or social media user, and you’d like to better understand why it’s so challenging to open minds and hearts to new ideas, this e-book is for you. It will help you understand why the human brain resists challenging new truths and what to do to guide your needed messages around the most common obstacles to understanding and action.

133 pages, ebook

Published August 10, 2019

About the author

Brian D. McLaren is an internationally known speaker and the author of over ten highly acclaimed books on contemporary Christianity, including A New Kind of Christian, A Generous Orthodoxy, and The Secret Message of Jesus.

Reviews

[Rudy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beneficial resource that names my feelings and even my anxiety as I watch events unfold around me. Equally important, McLaren provides some simple, common-sense strategies to help move us forward. I strongly encourage everyone to read this ebook especially teachers, clergy, and public servants. Understanding the things that are preventing real dialogue, what McLaren calls "biases," can help facilitate real dialogue rather than one-upmanship.

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite quote from this is at the end: “People who love do not need to agree.” That really sums up what was most helpful to me about this book, not in the “agree to disagree” type of meaning, but truly, that it’s better to be curious and learning than defensive and wanting to prove my rightness and opinion. This book examines many common biases and how we can acknowledge and work to overcome them in ourselves and others.

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read and discussed this e-book with a small group. Great fodder for deeper thinking, self-reflection and enlightening conversation. The ending recommendations are especially insightful and very much needed during these tumultuous times. This is a resource I will consult over and over again.