How to tear down the walls of your echo chamber

How about watch more TV? None of the people I know in Silicon Valley watch the top 10 shows in America, among those that even have a TV! When I go home for the holidays I get an education in how the rest of the country thinks through the television.

How about have kids? My kids are constantly challenging me to reexamine why I do the things I do. More so challenging me to explain why I make them do the things I make them do. Not to mention introducing me to new music (I get to introduce them to my music too) and shows.

One thing I like to do is try to start conversations with people who believe very different things than I do. For a while I was doing weekly bible readings with a very interesting group of Christian people (I'm not Christian and have never been religious). It got heated. I was very challenged and forced to analyze my own beliefs and the presuppositions I brought to the table. I'm sure they felt that they had to do the same as well and I think we all became better people for it.

Good list, but what's with the "What 90% Less TV" quip? I get it, TV is an idiot box, there's nothing good on, blah blah. But not all TV is equal. Does this include content you actively seek out on Netflix or some other on-demand service that you happen to view on your TV?<p>This appears as another, "I don't even own a tv" kind of elitism advice. Without a reason as to why I should stop watching so much tv, or even a basis for the seemingly arbitrary 90% number I can't take this advice with any kind of seriousness.

Go to Burning Man.<p>Along with the outrageously friendly crowd willing to strike up conversations about anything, it's has the greatest density of diversity that I've ever seen. In one day, you could easily discuss politics with Republicans, Democrats, moderates, and extremists; religion with Atheists, Muslims, Buddhists, and Christians; and science with research scientists, conspiracy theorists, and mystics.

Good list.<p>Add to it: Get out of the building and talk to customers. Real customers. In other parts of the world.

I'd love to know if the HN community has any other tips to add to this list that I've jotted down.

I think learning a new language might be a big gateway too

&#62; It is good to know what’s new. But don’t forget to learn from the past or from something new.<p>I have a feeling this post was dashed off rather than thought through.

+1 Project: How to turn an echo-chamber into a concert hall =)<p>(Ask HN?)