Tag Archives: reality

Random thoughts – keeping you on your toes

Interpreting your reality

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Technically a subjective viewpoint is your view of reality while and objective one is factually based.   Objective perspectives should be consistent among a large group while subjective could widely vary.

Perhaps though, perception is reality, that is what you perceive and so believe is true.  Reality is what you believe it to be.  Contrary opinions to your perception are incorrect.

The world is mine

Philosophically if your reality of the world is based soley on your interpretation than it’s all about you.  If this applies to everyone humans would be unable to interract effectively.

Hence, we have  social rules.  As groups we define culture and imbed the associated rules into our behaviour through governance practices.  For example, this is done through implementation and enforcement of laws.

Addittionally and more importantly, our social groups define a cultural norm which is implemented through the process of having common beliefs and values passed from elders to their young.

So we can perceive our own reality but these perceptions are limited  by  cultural values for the common group good (the pack mentality) embedded in us from birth.  (Some don’t adhere to these values, but most do).

So our reality is all about us, within the constraints of the value systems we are nurtured with and the laws we need to adhere to or suffer consequences.

Does objectivity exist?

If reality is subjective, it  begs the question, does objectivity exist beyond an English word in the dictionary?  Can we ever say, our interpretation of anything is fully fact based?

Random thoughts – keeping you on your toes

Defining Yourself

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Things become what you perceive them to be.  While one person might believe a golden bracelet to be a thing of great value and beauty, another might find it uninteresting.

To a large degree perceived function and value can define reality.  For example the Nintendo SNES retro game console is currently in huge demand and sold out everywhere.

The function of this toy is just entertainment (nothing life sustaining) and the cost outrageous, for something completely outdated and that you probably bought for half the price 20 years ago.

Yet, the console is in high demand because it is percieved to be something good. People believe in it.

Who are you

In a similar way we are all defined by how others view us.  You can believe you are polite, intelligent, capable and so on, but if others do not share this perspective, than in reality it is not true.

Recognizing that we are defined by what others think about us is a key underpinning to self awareness.  In brief, this is simply being aware of what you want to be and crafting your behaviour to make it so.

Of course being successful at both being what you want to be and ensuring others view you that way is dependent on your sensitivity  to how others perceive you and using that knowledge to craft their perceptions to the image you desire.

The first step toward being seen the way you wish to be seen is understanding and accepting that what others believe about you is reality.  From that point crafting that reality is just about shaping the environment to support your desired image.

 

Random thoughts – keeping you on your toes

Your Behaviour

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When asked how you act in response to a given situation or stimulus (i.e., your behaviour) it is probably not difficult for you to respond.  Not only can you describe your actions, but your intent as well.

Other also have an opinion about your behaviour and intent.  Your views and others, both can be subjective to a large degree and may differ.  In truth, often differ.

How are you viewed?

Perception is reality.  What others believe about your behavior is fact.  Their beliefs influence all thier interractions with you.  Your own considerations mean little.

If you are a devious liar in practice, but are viewd by others as someone trustworthy and honest, your opportunity to deceive and succeed is enormous.  This is how a “conperson” (aka conman) operates.

It has been said when truth is blurred by lies and misinformation, perception becomes reality and all is lost.  This is a real danger we all face.

Others perceptions may be founded on lies and misinformation, yet it is a very powerful driver of how they may respond to you.  Respect, trust and support can be earned but largely this must be done based on how you are percieved, rather than what you think.

I am me

The intersection of what you are and what people think you are is within your control.  Believing good sense will prevail and people will perceive your behaviour accurately is naive.

Using self awareness to understand what others think of you and then use that knowledge to shape thier perceptions to what you want them to be, is much more practical.

Random thoughts – keeping you on your toes

The never ending quest for balance

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Basically our daily lives are filled with a series of behaviors ( and the associated actions).  That is, what  we do results in outcomes, that is why we do it.

The outcomes are either satisfying or not.  Very simplistically stated, we do stuff to cause stuff and then we die.  (We may die because thats the natural outcome of the stuff we do, but that is a different deep  conversation).

Sounds boring

We do stuff that causes stuff to happen over and over.  On the surface it seems repetitive and unmotivating, why bother?  The key to managing the outcomes in a fun and motivating way is  through the practice of balance.

This requires analysis and planning.  Balancing the things you do to achieve better results more efficiently can be invigorating.  It puts a lot of spice into your activities.

How does it work?

Practicing balance is the process of determining how much time, effort and what kind of time and effort is best used to achieve the result you seek.

For example you need groceries because you are hungry.   You are low on funds so you will need to balance what kind of food you buy against what you can afford, yet still satisfy your hunger.

You are hungry now but you need to balance speed ( by car -low on gas) with walking ( slower but definately better on gas).

These simple examples highlight the competing choices we encounter all day as we figure out if we should do this or do that or some combination.

Frequently we need to balance the options carefully to attain the best result.  The simple emotional approach to resolve the need directly is often not the best.  Take your time, plan it out, incorporate balance.

For example, building on the above scenario,   you are hungry so  drive to the store intending to buy what you want.  Unfortunately you may run out of gas or money so can’t afford what you want and end up still hungry.

Remember, things are not always as straightforward as they initially appear and a considered balanced approach might not only be more satisfying, but could also achieve a better result.

 

Random thoughts – keeping you on your toes

Am I as good as I think I am?

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Asking if you are as good as you think you are, is not necessarily questioning your level of self-confidence, rather it could be philosophical (what is good, who am I, etc) or it could be part of a continuous self  awareness check.

Switch it Around

Am I only as good as other people think I am?  Of course this begs the question “What do other people think of me?”  That question can be hard to answer truly objectively.

I have been fortunate enough to have past employers pay for a confidential survey of myself, colleagues, subordinates and supervisors, on several occasions.

This feedback is fabulous for capturing what you think of your own interpersonal behaviour skills and what others think.  It is anonymous, so theoretically the input should be objective.

The results could reinforce what you think (e.g., I work well with others and they agree) or could be the opposite (e.g., others don’t think I work well with them).

Of course this kind of deedback can go beyond whether you work well with others but can include how confident you are percieved to be, honesty, ability to motivate and so on.

If you can organize it, I strongly recommend these feedback tools as a great way to find out how what you think about yourself maps to what others think.

Could someone else do better?

When you move on from a situation, role or assignment it is always interesting to consider if your sucessor did better than you?  That is , am I so good there is no one better.

It is probably comforting to believe this may be true, but don’t forget the old saying “Anyone can be replaced”.  It might be truer than you think.

Random thoughts – keeping you on your toes

A touch of Philosophy

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Reality is of our own making.  Facts are real based on our perception of them.  You might argue human society is an integrated whole, for me, ultimately it’s all about me.

Only you can control your thoughts and behaviours. External influences, albeit real, do not make changes in and of themselves. Only you can act.

Everything can come to pass in the fullness of time .  With a little patience and some saliva  ants can devour an elephant.

Sound like nonsense?

Given the nature of thought,  there are truly no absolutes.  If I think it,  then it is real.  Probably not, surely some balances exists between facts commonly accepted as “true” and our own perspectives, perceptions and interpretations of these facts.

The cynical me argues a rational argument exists for any reality.  For example I could state the sky is orange , not blue.  Since I believe it, is it true?

By common agreement the sky is blue, therefore I am at fault with the facts.  How so, just because the there is a plurality of belief of among other humans as to the color label am I  wrong?

This of course is where standards and agreements come into play.  Total anarchy around facts would lead to disintegration of culture.  Without some common acknowledgements inter-operation of individuals becomes virtually impossible.

A common Reality must Exist and be recognized as such

” I think, therefore I am” is a broad and universal statement of existence.  If it is false, I do not exist.  If I do not exist, then you do not exist as your existence ( at least validation of it) depends on my existence.

Ah, the joy of the circular argument.

Today’s post while largely a bit of whimsy and a bit of fun does stem from real conversations I have had with my colleagues and some others over the last week.  An interesting week to say the least.

Random thoughts – keeping you on your toes

Perception is reality

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Canadian philoshopher/ communications specialist Marshall McLuhan  is known for his communication and culture seminars at the University of Toronto in the 1950’s among many other accomplishments from a long and sterling career.

One salient sound bite attributed to him is “the medium is the message”. Like the well known catch phrase “perception is reality” the point is that belief can be shaped by how a message is delivered and ulitimately it becomes reality.  How effectively it is delivered can supersede the message itself.

A famous example of this is the “War of the Worlds” radio broadcast of an H.G. Wells sciencefiction story, in 1938.  Part  of the radio play was presented in a news broadcast format.  BIzzarely, this caused many listeners to actually believe the earth was being invaded by an alien race and wide spread panic ensued. There was no invasion.

Facts are Real

I personally struggle with the perception is reality conversation or the medium is the message because I believe facts do exist and real things happen regardless of peoples perceptions, opinions or views.

Of course one persons reality can differ from anothers but to argue a reality does not exist because it is not consistently percieved is frustrating for me.  If a tree falls in the forest it really falls whether I hear or see it.

Playing the Perception Card

When someone trys to argue an issue’s root cause is a result of perceptions my own perception is that this is a cop out.  The thought process is something like “I know, can’t solve the issue so I will claim it does not exist, it is only percieved to be a problem”.  Ouch!

Well, I perceive there is no such thing as perception, only reality so unfortunately for me this argument holds little water.  I agree we can view reality differently and have opposing views but that does not change the fact reality exists – regardless of how one percieves it.

Random thoughts – keeping you on your toes

Looking Good!

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One of my favorite authors, Frederick Forsyth published his first action suspense thriller in 1971 (Day of the Jackal).  I just finished reading his autobiography and found out he lost his entire savings (from the numerous best selling novels and associated revenue streams following his first) to fraud in the early 1990’s.  His investment manager was running a classic Ponzi scheme.

When is good not good?

This got me thinking about a quote from Bill Gates, “If you can’t make it good, at least make it look good.”

In the classic Ponzi scheme you gain your investor’s trust by making it look like you are a skilled and clever money manager who can earn them a large return.   That is, might not be good, but looks good.

How is it done?

Using the basic psychological principal that underlies gambling addiction, Ponzi schemers provide actual intermittent rewards that seem fabulous.

Basically using money from new investors they actually pay the old investors real cash at an inflated rate (e.g., 25% or more).  Ultimately though they stop paying most investors except through supposed reinvestment of earnings supported through forged records make it look the strong returns continue (after they have gained their trust).  On and off when an investor needs money paid out, free cash from new investors is used.

These investment managers are not really good at investing but they make it look good.

Looking Good!

Today’s post is just a reminder that “looking good” is just that, a perceived conclusion not supported by facts beyond your visual input.  Remember that old adage, “what you see is not always what you get”.

Of course, there is a caution here.  Living your life being suspicious of everything bridges on paranoia (fear of things that are not real) and is to be avoided.

There is a happy balance between checking and trusting and each of us must find the place that works best personally.  In the case of Mr. Forsyth (based on the description in his autobiography) he just accepted the fraud (managing money was not his thing) and moved on writing more best selling novels and earning even more money.  Good attitude (at least I perceive it to be so).