I am right, I am right, I am right even when I am wrong!

The news of unrest in Libya had me curious about Muammar Gaddafi, the eccentric and controversial Libyan leader who is now in the spotlight not only because of his refusal to step down but also because of the violence he ordered on his own people. I read in The Star recently that Gaddafi is apparently utterly convinced that Shakespeare is an Arab immigrant. He also once said that 'there is no state with a democracy except Libya on the whole planet,' which brings me to the title for today: I am right, I am right, I am right even when I am wrong.

While it is not human nature to admit one's own mistakes, I have had very bizarre, and not to mention confusing, conversations with quite a few persons whom I consider intelligent and educated. I know someone who is so sure that if we did not consume plant enzymes, we will all fall sick and drop dead. When told that it is a well known scientific fact that the human body can produce its own enzymes, the person simply responded by saying that 'scientists don't know everything.' I wholeheartedly agree to this statement, but obviously this is an inappropriate answer to the question. I have almost got into an argument about where I live, believe it or not, because the other person was so convinced that I stayed somewhere else. Sometimes, people refuse to believe the cold, hard facts that I shove at them in the face to prove a point, simply saying(something along these lines): 'I don't know how credible your sources are, even though they are credible. I believe what I said was correct, even though your arguments are more compelling and you have proof, and I don't. I can't be wrong'

I also observed that people tend to stereotype and pigeonhole people, especially the ones they don't know well, into 'categories,' and once there, it is difficult to get yourself out. The labels that I got in school, college and even at home are labels which I have to live with, even if I had changed over the years. I think what people don't realise is that human beings behave differently in different situations; the X you see in school might not be the same person you see at work or at home, or the same X you may see 10 years or even 5 years later. When the person fail to behave according to the 'category' they supposedly belong in, they are seen with distain and disbelieve.

The worst part of all these observations, is the fact that I am equally guilty of the same stubbornness. I judge people and then categorise them, so you had better be careful if I think that you are a sick S.O.B who has no place on earth. I am also guilty of the 'I am DEFINITELY right' syndrome. So now I am trying to keep my bigotry in check by at least attempting to keep my mouth shut when I think I should. It is hard, but practice makes perfect right?