Reality Bending Mind Gymnastics
Choosing a reality that serves you.
This article is an invitation for a thought experiment — a workout for your gray matter. Let's talk about the relativity of reality, and why this matters. So you can choose your convictions wisely.
Still with me? Let’s go!
What is reality? Who decides?
I would say there’s only consensual reality.
As humans, we test our perception of reality in relation to others and look for the overlap to come to a consensus. We’re never absolutely sure if something is true, unless someone confirms our observations.
So what we call reality is not a measurable objective truth, it’s the overlap between perceptions of multiple people. Nevertheless, reality is mostly portrayed as fact. And thank god it is, because our lives would be overly complicated if it wasn’t.
Imagine trying to make an appointment, but first having to do a philosophical negotiation on the concept of time — or doing groceries when the word apple in your reality is the word for flower.
For efficiency in everyday life, we need an agreement — certain rules that predict how interactions will go. But for personal sanity, it might be a good idea to question this construct. I’ll get to that point later.
Let’s first dive deeper into the rabbit hole.
It’s in the eyes of the beholder
So far, I’ve only talked about interpersonal reality between humans. But did you know that we’re not even equipped to see the full scope of the reality spectrum?
Certain animals are equipped with a tool set to perceive different aspects of what is. Bats have x-ray vision. Some vipers have heat detectors to localize prey.
Different species, different abilities.
This means a reality can only be recognized if there’s a stimulus and a perceiver that correspond.
So which species holds the key to the ultimate reality?
Order to the chaos
The world is utterly chaotic. Everyday we have innumerable impressions we cannot comprehend. And our miserly human minds will come up with anything to structure the chaos.
Let’s consider science.
Science is our most adept tool for getting a hold on reality. In science, we test a hypothesis multiple times and try to replicate the same outcomes. As in interpersonal relations, we now look for overlap or consensus between the observations of different studies.
And while it’s true that a perception duplicated in independent research has more potential of holding an essence of truth, we can never label it the ultimate truth. It’s a mere attempt to grasp the overly abstract and complicated concept of reality.
I would say every study conducted by humans, every theory ever invented, and the origins of every religion are at their core attempts to grasp the human experience — our collective reality.
All these lenses on reality are clarification models. Often the same topics — or existential questions — are discussed in multiple fields through different lenses, with a specific language.
Each clarification model holds an ounce of truth, an approximation of reality viewed through a specific lens in a specific time and culture. Religion, science, philosophy, history,… all hold value, unless they’re used as dogma or propaganda.
The danger with each lens is in it’s polarization. In not seeing the model for what it is — an attempt to convey, capture and structure reality — but as an ultimate truth.
I love this TED-talk by historian Greg Anderson about how our collective cultural convictions shape our lives. If you want to dive even deeper into the rabbit hole, I strongly suggest you watch it.
Science as religion
“Convictions are more dangerous foes of truth than lies.”
— Friedrich Nietsche
Today, science is the most accepted clarification model. And I feel it’s sometimes misused as dogma or propaganda. Because there are social consequences for not blindly accepting this mainstream model.
From a socialization viewpoint, this makes sense. As said, it’s efficient to have an agreement on reality to structure our social interactions. So we punish deviants for threatening social cohesion.
This means most of us follow the safe route to tread. If I accept scientific research as a clarification model, no one will slander me. If I get downloads from aliens to explain my world, I will be called a fool. Our ego’s are attached to being seen as rational — to gain group acceptance. This way, we lose a lot of the value inherent in alternative clarification models.
Blinded by conviction, we narrow ourselves to one lens.
Practical everyday tools
So how to mine the value of alternative clarification models without going bonkers or being an outcast?
1. Always ask yourself the questions: “What do the people who believe this get out of it?”
Practicing this advice, you would be surprised what value and insight seemingly absurd theories will bring you.
I personally don’t think people believe in an irrational concept, because they’re simply stupid or lack resources. Humans are reward driven machines. This means adopting a certain belief gives them some sort of value.
It’s your challenge to figure out what that is, and mine the gold without the dogma.
2. Which reality serves you?
Let’s clarify with this one an example. Does it serve me to believe my depression is genetic? Or does it serve me to see mental illness as a behavioral adaptation?
The latter paradigm puts you in an empowered position to shift out of the depression by having control over behavioral change. Nevertheless, there is evidence for both statements.
It’s your choice!
Pro tip: never accept the fatalist reality, choose one that empowers you!
3. Learn to hold space for opposing truths
If you see something as truth, it doesn’t mean the opposite can’t be true also.
Say what?!
Let me show you.
Drugs kill and drugs save lives. Substance abuse can lead to death — this one needs no explanation. But substance abuse can also help deal with pain, so tremendously, that a person might otherwise commit suicide.
So always try to find arguments for two opposing statements to come to a more complete approximation of reality.
If you’re still with me, congratulations! I know this is not an easy topic. It requires an open mind and critical judgment. The question I want you to linger on for now is:
Does reality exist?
Let me know what you think!
