Summary

Cognitive dissonance is a psychological defense mechanism—it protects the ego, not the truth. But awareness weakens its grip. The next time you catch yourself defending something out of habit or history, ask: Would I still believe this if I hadn’t already invested in it? Admitting inconsistency doesn’t make you irrational—it makes you adaptable. In a world where certainty is a comfort drug, intellectual honesty is the ultimate act of strength.