Wooden-Headedness

Certainly, the term that Barbara Tuchman refers to as “wood-headedness” is prevalent in human affairs. As long as there are two opposite sides of an issue, two debating parties in any organization or affair, there will be two opposing, radical views, and as long as there are radicals, there are those whose initial views of the world are quite literally impossible to change. People like this, with this “stubborn-as-a-mule” attitude, are remarkably difficult to deal with in conversation, debate, and human affairs in general. Sad to say, however, that these people, characterized by their so-called “wood-headedness,” are many in number throughout the U.S. and even within its government. It is an unfortunate attribute, which many possess, and which often keeps them from seriously considering the contrary facts, notions, or views collected by an opposition. One could argue that the attribute which Tuchman describes could be equated to stubbornness and ignorance, factors which, if not handled truly carefully, could evolve into ones as grave as prejudice. Moreover, in today’s world, in this modern America, where we are raised on the old adage of not judging a book by its cover, it is quite unfortunate how much this wood-headedness, these prejudices (racial, political, religious, or otherwise), play a role in affairs of country, affairs of state, and even personal, everyday, human affairs.

Wood-headedness in America is not always ill-mannered, but much of it stems from people’s pre-conceived views of other people, first impressions if you will, which, after their conceptions, are quite difficult to alter. For non-believers who believe bias has no place in America, consider the following. The boss of a large corporation is conducting interviews for a new, prominent position in his company, and two men come in to apply. Will the boss choose the employee who arrived to his interview in his best slacks, tie, and sport jacket and who spoke very politely and articulately, or...