Why do some adults at some point in life become very close minded and almost impossible to reason with?

1. [Visual Explanation](https://www.smbc-comics.com/comics/20111028.gif)
   — socky555


2. Because, as we grow up and we expand intellectually, we have meaningful debates with our peers. Deep, thought-provoking debates that test our will. Now I've got shit to do, I don't have time for your bullshit arguments. You're wrong, I'm right. Fuck you. I'm leaving.
   — sm1ttysm1t


3. From personal experience: I find that I've had the same debates over the same topics so many times and explained myself that if I as a 40 year old man has held the same basic opinion on something for this long no amount of discussion on the topic is going to change it and unless oyu have something truly interesting to say I really dont want to waste time listening to you.
   — TheTrueLordHumungous






4. When you're older you'll come across a bunch of twenty-somethings that know everything, you will see then its not just the older folks with the problem.
   — omeganman81


5. First, there are some plenty of close minded people at every stage of life. Second, and I’m not saying this is the case in every instance, but don’t confuse being “being close minded” with “having experience”. As the inverse to your question is “why are some young people so foolish and unable to listen to reason”. To be clear - we need both. We need people that push forward and people that push back. Appreciate and Respect the role of both.
   — dlitney


6. Life experience has made them hardened to the world. But people can change.
   — LadyRevontulet






7. Because I'm old and I'm tired of arguing. I'll just state my opinion and you can take it or leave it.
   — RonSwansonsOldMan


8. Behavior, attitudes, beliefs, and values are reinforced simply by living and interacting with the world. It's very difficult (in practice) to guard against this constant reinforcement. Generally, the amount of work it takes to consider a novel idea or position which conflicts with a person's current understanding, is much greater than simply dismissing (or *coercing* to fit) extraneous and "inconvenient" facts.
   — HumanoidRobot


9. I struggle with this sometimes. I'm very passionate about my beliefs and I can't understand harming another person through either intention or neglect. So I tend to butt heads with certain people and I have to always remind myself that they have a right to their own opinion even when I think their opinion is cruel to others.
   — JustLetMeGetAName






10. Some adults actually expand their minds as they get older. Personally, the older I get the more open I am to new cultural norms, concepts and ideas. However, I find that my acceptance of old cultural norms - racism/sexism/homophobia/etc, to be close to zero.
    — garfbar


11. Because admitting when you're wrong isn't viewed by society as a virtue anymore, it's viewed as a sign of weakness. The anonymity of the Internet, and the hiveminds of social media only further this. Society in general has openly embraced narcissism and blatantly lives in denial of how toxic it is to our cultures. It's why there are so many Instagram models, a Twitch streamers, Camwhores, and YouTube celebrities. They live in their own little echo-chambers surrounded by their fans and supporters, ergo they never deal with dissenting opinions (and any dissenting opinions are shouted-down by the hivemind that supports them).
    — InternetKidsAreMean


12. Fuck off, you are wrong!!
    — hhuerta






13. Experience Knowledge and Information. Negative and Positive. People get calcified in their habits thinking and behavior.
    — nooneisanonymous


14. Eventually you become old enough you don't want someone telling you whats right and wrong. In particular if you have been operating the same way all your life, what someone is telling you is you've been wrong all your life. That's some harsh shit to learn when there is no time to start over. Basically people are protective of their beliefs and ideas and when you get old those become more important. I'm still learning lots of things, and consider myself to be pretty flexible, but I do notice the older I get (Late 40's now) I am not as willing to explore areas that Conflict deeply with my longer-held beliefs. If someone INSISTS on pushing some of those new things I have choice words and actions set aside for them.
    — lonemonk


15. I remember reading that most people never reach the final stage of mental development, which is the ability to truly empathize with people. I imagine that'd have something to do with it. Psychologists, feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, it's been a hot minute since I've even looked at this stuff.
    — glory_of_dawn