The Predisposition of Our Brains to Progression and Tradition

Our brains are predisposed to either progressive or conservative tendencies due to openness to experience and conscientiousness. Progressives advocate for change and improvement, pushing for progress and seeking to alter existing institutions for the better. On the contrary, conservatives emphasize the importance of tradition, cautioning against hasty changes to institutions that may lead to unforeseen consequences. A balance between progressives and conservatives is essential in a healthy liberal democracy, where the former drive change and the latter provide stability. Without conservatives, progressive revolutions often result in chaos and cruelty, while an absence of progressives can lead to repression and limitations on rights. The essence of a liberal society lies in maximizing individual freedom, while conservatives value tradition, family, and group loyalty. Social media has disrupted this balance by empowering extreme voices on both ends of the political spectrum, silencing the moderate center and contributing to societal division and discord.