How far are we humans from reality?

[Robert_Sock]

For most of us, our perceptions of reality have been heavily influenced by the mass media. What the mass media decides to cram us with is all we really have to create our perceptions.

Note also that I’m not really talking about Divine reality, but worldly reality.

 

[GEddie]

For most of us, our perceptions of reality have been heavily influenced by the mass media. What the mass media decides to cram us with is all we really have to create our perceptions.

Note also that I’m not really talking about Divine reality, but worldly reality.

In this world, reality is physical.

If we are hooked on the MM, it is time to turn off the screen, get moving, and see, hear and smell life for ourselves!

ICXC NIKA

 

[dshix]

For most of us, our perceptions of reality have been heavily influenced by the mass media. What the mass media decides to cram us with is all we really have to create our perceptions.

Note also that I’m not really talking about Divine reality, but worldly reality.

I would argue that a person only becomes heavily influenced by the media when they permit themselves to be. No one forces you to watch TV or listen to the radio.

Thus, those who become inebriated with stupidity by permitting themselves to be influenced by the media depart from reality.

I, myself, have not had TV in my household for over 10 years. I’ve gained greatly from it. I strive to see the world as God sees it, and I do not let the influence of the world enter into my subconscious.

 

[KrazyKat]

I would argue that a person only becomes heavily influenced by the media when they permit themselves to be. No one forces you to watch TV or listen to the radio.

Thus, those who become inebriated with stupidity by permitting themselves to be influenced by the media depart from reality.

I, myself, have not had TV in my household for over 10 years. I’ve gained greatly from it. I strive to see the world as God sees it, and I do not let the influence of the world enter into my subconscious.

With today’s gadgets/net, etc. not having a TV is not a sacrifice. I truly do not believe too many are influenced by mass media. It is still a peer thing that dictates likes and dislikes.

 

[GratefulFred]

For most of us, our perceptions of reality have been heavily influenced by the mass media. What the mass media decides to cram us with is all we really have to create our perceptions.

Note also that I’m not really talking about Divine reality, but worldly reality.

Indeed our perception and actual reality may diverge quite often. It is incumbent on us to guard against acting on our perception without making an effort to see how close our perception is to actual reality.

We have the reality of our personal daily lives: family, friends, acquaintances, co-workers. And then we also have the reality of local, national, and world events and issues.

We say hello to someone and they barely acknowledge our greeting. What do we conclude? 1. They are angry with us. 2. They are too worried about something to respond as they otherwise would. Whatever we perceive to be their reason will influence how we respond.

It seems to me that one has to have a large measure of naiveté to allow the mass media to cram us with their filtered view of events and issues without seeking more information. Reports are incomplete. Someone had to decide what is reported and what is not. Get two newspapers and compare the report of an event. You will notice quickly that both stories have a different set of facts. Each set of facts may be true, but you can see each story is incomplete. And you may wonder what else are they not reporting that could change my understanding?

We owe it to ourselves to not reach a conclusion too quickly. If it is important to you, get more facts. Come closer to reality.

 

[Robert_Sock]

I would argue that a person only becomes heavily influenced by the media when they permit themselves to be. No one forces you to watch TV or listen to the radio.

Thus, those who become inebriated with stupidity by permitting themselves to be influenced by the media depart from reality.

I, myself, have not had TV in my household for over 10 years. I’ve gained greatly from it. I strive to see the world as God sees it, and I do not let the influence of the world enter into my subconscious.

No TV in my apartment in well over 20 years, but now I’m addicted to my computer… it’s always something!

 

[Robert_Sock]

In this world, reality is physical.

If we are hooked on the MM, it is time to turn off the screen, get moving, and see, hear and smell life for ourselves!

ICXC NIKA

There’s also a reality of how things work, and history itself, which is where I’m coming from.

 

[meltzerboy]

For most of us, our perceptions of reality have been heavily influenced by the mass media. What the mass media decides to cram us with is all we really have to create our perceptions.

Note also that I’m not really talking about Divine reality, but worldly reality.

And the mass media, particularly social media, begins very early in childhood these days. But there are still parents, family, peers, teachers, religion, culture, books and so on that shape our perception of reality, for better or worse.

 

[ventura2323]

No TV in my apartment in well over 20 years, but now I’m addicted to my computer… it’s always something!

That’s funny.

 

[oldcelt]

There’s also a reality of how things work, and history itself, which is where I’m coming from.

Your points about the influence off media are very good. Certainly, there are a good many people who get their entire view of the world via media sources, and that could leave one very confused when they walk out the door. We have to interact with our fellow creatures IN PERSON to maintain a grasp on actual reality. At times that is tough for me, I must confess.

When I want to escape I turn on the TV,watching Buffy TVS right now. Great fun and exceptionally well written.

Like you, do in part to my employment as a writer/historian, I am desperately addicted to my computer. But the job is my passion and it keeps my mind active and clear despite the medications I have to take, and that allows me to get out and see reality stumbling along.

 

[ventura2323]

Your points about the influence off media are very good. Certainly, there are a good many people who get their entire view of the world via media sources, and that could leave one very confused when they walk out the door. We have to interact with our fellow creatures IN PERSON to maintain a grasp on actual reality. At times that is tough for me, I must confess.

When I want to escape I turn on the TV,watching Buffy TVS right now. Great fun and exceptionally well written.

Like you, do in part to my employment as a writer/historian, I am desperately addicted to my computer. But the job is my passion and it keeps my mind active and clear despite the medications I have to take, and that allows me to get out and see reality stumbling along.

I noticed I am losing interest in watching tv.
Just can’t seem to watch it. But as someone here said, we have to be addicted to something, the computer is one because I learn from it and chocolate that I learn nothing from.

 

[KrazyKat]

Surprised how many people do not stay up on the news. Mention a current event and it is duh! Word of mouth still seems to be the big thing. " Oh yeah, I hear you have a great Pope now, in touch with the real world finally."

 

[Cricket2]

I would argue that a person only becomes heavily influenced by the media when they permit themselves to be. No one forces you to watch TV or listen to the radio.

Thus, those who become inebriated with stupidity by permitting themselves to be influenced by the media depart from reality.

I, myself, have not had TV in my household for over 10 years. I’ve gained greatly from it. I strive to see the world as God sees it, and I do not let the influence of the world enter into my subconscious.

Ah, yes the freedom from the “idiot box.” I too went 12 years without a TV. I loved it. Now that I care for my sister, who likes to watch TV I do watch some. We do restrict ourselves to news and cooking shows. There are some documentaries that are good. However if I had to toss the old screen out today it wouldn’t bother me a bit.

If folks want to deal with real life more they need to shut the “boob tube” off. (This is what my mother used to call the TV and refers to intelligence not anatomy.)

 

[oldcelt]

I noticed I am losing interest in watching tv.
Just can’t seem to watch it. But as someone here said, we have to be addicted to something, the computer is one because I learn from it and chocolate that I learn nothing from.

There is so little that really gabs me. The History Channel has become the Pawn Stars/Swamp People Network, MTV is almost nothing but the worst reality show (Is that a double modifier?), Honey Boo-Boo, and on and on, we are glamorizing being brain-dead. Here and there a bright light shines through.

I find the dramas on AMC to quite good, but definitely not family friendly. Masterpiece has a winner in Downton Abbey, but it will likely end in the next few years. Even some of the better comedies I have seen inexplicably resort to low brow humor occasionally. Thankfully, there are channels that play nothing but the show from the 60s and 70s.

Regarding the OP, those old shows were great fun, but about as far from reality as possible. I had wonderful parents, but they looked like ogres compared to TV. Plus, everything was resolved in 30 to 60 minutes.

As I said before, the only way to stay in touch with reality is to go out your door and spend some time with the people who share this planet. It isn’t always pretty or pleasant, but their is much to be learned. I had the honor of interviewing dozens of WWII Vets. Despite what they had all seen and suffered in some cases, almost to a man they had a bright and positive outlook and fond memories.

I guess their is a lot to be said for surviving something that on its face looks un-survivable.

Sorry for the incoherent rant. Stream of consciousness kicking in I guess,

 

[mikekle]

For most of us, our perceptions of reality have been heavily influenced by the mass media. What the mass media decides to cram us with is all we really have to create our perceptions.

Note also that I’m not really talking about Divine reality, but worldly reality.

Its important to remember that all mainstream media outlets are owned by 6 different corporations, that is scary IMO, in that they can literally control what is news and what is not.

It is also scary that most people will believe anything and everything they hear, as long as its from a mainstream media station…they dont even question it or look further before making a decision, their minds are made up right then and there! That is some serious power they have over a good percentage of the population.

 

[ventura2323]

There is so little that really gabs me. The History Channel has become the Pawn Stars/Swamp People Network, MTV is almost nothing but the worst reality show (Is that a double modifier?), Honey Boo-Boo, and on and on, we are glamorizing being brain-dead. Here and there a bright light shines through.

I find the dramas on AMC to quite good, but definitely not family friendly. Masterpiece has a winner in Downton Abbey, but it will likely end in the next few years. Even some of the better comedies I have seen inexplicably resort to low brow humor occasionally. Thankfully, there are channels that play nothing but the show from the 60s and 70s.

Regarding the OP, those old shows were great fun, but about as far from reality as possible. I had wonderful parents, but they looked like ogres compared to TV. Plus, everything was resolved in 30 to 60 minutes.

As I said before, the only way to stay in touch with reality is to go out your door and spend some time with the people who share this planet. It isn’t always pretty or pleasant, but their is much to be learned. I had the honor of interviewing dozens of WWII Vets. Despite what they had all seen and suffered in some cases, almost to a man they had a bright and positive outlook and fond memories.

I guess their is a lot to be said for surviving something that on its face looks un-survivable.

Sorry for the incoherent rant. Stream of consciousness kicking in I guess,

I don’t see an incoherent rant. consciousness is a good thing.
For some reason I lost interest when I realized I was watching a bunch of actors playing parts, no reality. I always knew they were actors, but, this time I saw it in a new way.
my spirit saw it this time, not me. Hope this makes sense.
Louise

 

[mikekle]

There is so little that really gabs me. The History Channel has become the Pawn Stars/Swamp People Network, MTV is almost nothing but the worst reality show (Is that a double modifier?), Honey Boo-Boo, and on and on, we are glamorizing being brain-dead. Here and there a bright light shines through.

I find the dramas on AMC to quite good, but definitely not family friendly. Masterpiece has a winner in Downton Abbey, but it will likely end in the next few years. Even some of the better comedies I have seen inexplicably resort to low brow humor occasionally. Thankfully, there are channels that play nothing but the show from the 60s and 70s.

Regarding the OP, those old shows were great fun, but about as far from reality as possible. I had wonderful parents, but they looked like ogres compared to TV. Plus, everything was resolved in 30 to 60 minutes.

As I said before, the only way to stay in touch with reality is to go out your door and spend some time with the people who share this planet. It isn’t always pretty or pleasant, but their is much to be learned. I had the honor of interviewing dozens of WWII Vets. Despite what they had all seen and suffered in some cases, almost to a man they had a bright and positive outlook and fond memories.

I guess their is a lot to be said for surviving something that on its face looks un-survivable.

Sorry for the incoherent rant. Stream of consciousness kicking in I guess,

I agree about the WW2 generation, Ive had the pleasure of meeting and speaking to quite a few from this generation…there is a reason they are called the greatest generation! Much different than all the whining and crying that is commonplace in todays world, back when they were younger, you did not hear about all the gripes people have today, it was just not discussed and for good reason.

 

[Neoplatonist]

All observations are theory-laden. The best you can do is try to understand which theory is shaping the observations you are listening to and to have a working understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of your preferred theory relative to the others.

This can be hard because many times the theoretical skew is intentionally well-hidden. When the layer of disguise/misdirection is more than one layer thick, most people do not have the training or persistence to drill down.

 

[ventura2323]

All observations are theory-laden. The best you can do is try to understand which theory is shaping the observations you are listening to and to have a working understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of your preferred theory relative to the others.

This can be hard because many times the theoretical skew is intentionally well-hidden. When the layer of disguise/misdirection is more than one layer thick, most people do not have the training or persistence to drill down.

Not sure what you are saying, but, I will take a stab at it.
I don’t find anything hidden, what is given is made very clear if the intellect doesn’t get in the way.
There is no drilling necessary. I don’t have referred theory. That is picking and choosing and not trusting.
Louise

 

[esieffe]

I have been going through many “road bumps” the past few years. One of the things I knew I must do was to reduce stress and frustration anywhere I could. Media was easy pickings. I would listen to talk radio to and from work. Now… silence. I used to haunt CNN and Fox, now I come here, and a few other spots avoiding the news.

This has helped. Most of the news is OP ED anyway. I occasionally scan the headlines and that is it.

Less media and news = less stress