So Cal Real Estate News

Last night Barb, Nate, & I went to see Ben Stein‘s new movie, Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed. It’s a wry, stark, and thought-provoking semi-documentary look at how closed-minded our scientific and educational establishment has become about alternatives to neo-Darwinism.

Maybe closed-mindedness is the default setting of humankind. Something we all have to fight against. I see it all the time in the real estate world. Potential sellers call me, supposedly to find out what the current market value is of their home. Often after I review the data and explain my professional opinion, they proceed to tell me how wrong I am.

“OK,” I think. “Why exactly did you ask me to do the research if you already knew the answer?” Actually, it’s simple. They wanted me to confirm what they thought they already knew. Maybe to show the spouse how wrong he/she was. Combination of pride and self-interest. (See reason #1 of “5 reasons NOT to pick a listing agent” for more on this.) “I made up my mind; don’t bother me with the facts.”

Somehow, it seems that this human bent towards closed-mindedness is often more pronounced in those who are in positions of authority. (For examples, consider Washington, D.C., Sacramento, or, most likely, your boss.) Truly successful leaders must fight hard to keep an open mind. Because power and closed-mindedness is a very dangerous combination (see Adolf Hitler, Vietnam War, or sub-prime lending).

Well, according to Ben’s new movie, an extreme version of that sort of closed mindedness has invaded much of the scientific community. Not just “I made up my mind. . . ” but “I made up my mind & yours too!”

Closed mindedness to the point where even mentioning an opposing viewpoint can get a professor fired. Talk about “academic freedom.”

A very thought provoking movie, with a little of Stein’s wry humor thrown in. I highly recommend it. Click here and insert your zip code for showtimes.

And keep an open mind.