What do you think is wrong with the world today? Is it greed? Is it gluttony? Is it pride? Look around you. What is it that you see? I will tell you what I see… I see ignorance. I think ignorance is what is to blame for the problems of the world. It is the ignorance in thinking that you are right, that what you think is without flaw. That what you think is one-hundred percent right and everyone who disagrees is wrong. It is the arrogance of your opinion. And the ignorance of other opinions. This is what is wrong with the world today. You keep shouting your own opinion, that you are deaf to the other opinions around you. The world has turned into a screaming match between 6.3 billon people. So what is to be done? What can be done? I’ll tell you. It’s simple really. Listen. Stop, even for a second, and listen to someone who does not share your point of view. They may teach you something. Let them speak, and no matter how much you disagree, keep your mouth shut. Just listen. Think. After they have said their peace, think about it. Ask yourself, “Why?” “Why does this person not share my view?” Think about what they said, think hard and long about it. Sure, it may have some flaws, some things that don’t seem to fit. Some generalizations or some assumptions. Does this mean that they are wrong? Does it? I’ll let you in on a little secret. So does your own opinion. You make generalizations, assumptions, and excuses. That’s what an opinion is. What’s scary is that their opinion is just as right as yours. And just as wrong. Once you understand this, you see that the world is not just black and white. Not just right and wrong. So please, listen. Please think.

Kyran Luhrs, Founder of The Ivory Tower