What we see affects what is seen, this goes into both quantum mechanics’ uncertainty principle and Bayesian reasoning for the unknown.
The Uncertainty principle state that we can not know an objects place and speed at the very finite levels of observable matter. We can only know either or, due to our current methods of measurement. So we may not know where an object is, or we may not know where the object is going, therefore we cannot articulately ‘trap’ and ‘fully observe’ and object.
Bayesian Reasoning is that we reason from what is known and exclude the possibilities of the unknown based on our limited understanding. So what we perceive then, is a hint of the truth, and not the whole truth.
“(Bayesian Reasoning) It relies on an interpretation of probabilities as expressions of an agent’s uncertainty about the world, rather than as concerning some notion of objective chance in the world.”
The observer effect; ”The act of observing will influence the phenomenon being observed. The observer effect is the fact that observing a situation or phenomenon necessarily changes it“
So what we see isn’t objective reality.
It’s our subjective perception of reality, a reconstruction, a slice of the whole totality of reality.
Does that mean we can’t see the truth? Well, yes and no. We instead see the truth through a lens, but we don’t observe the truth in totality, unless we have some mechanism of BELIEF that allows for such.
“Someone once said to me, ‘Are you telling me that chair isn’t real, that it’s only thought?’ I said ‘Of course the chair is real. But it comes to you via Thought’.” -Sydney Banks
Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon is the phenomenon where something you recently learned suddenly appears ‘everywhere’. Also called Frequency Bias (or Illusion), the Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon is the seeming appearance of a newly-learned (or paid attention to) concept in unexpected places.
Where your focus or Attention goes, reality follows. As you EXPOSE yourself to certain things, it aligns your world view towards that of the exposed thing, you’ll start seeing more of it. Whether those are problems or themes of consciousness, you’ll attune yourself more and more to see it and perceive it in your reality.
Like a habit, your reality becomes a reflection of your HABITS OF PERCEPTION. I say this in audacious Capitalis Maximis to help elucidate the fact that this is an important piece. Your reality is a perception of total reality, and thus your perception is a habit that you perceive, so your habit of perception shapes your own personal subjective reality.
On Aristotle and Tables;
This is a theme that one can start to reach via the Aristotelian Theory of Forms, in which when we talk of a ‘table’ there is the idea that there is an ideal form for what goes with the word ‘table.
The Word has a meaning, and that meaning is something that could theoretically be reached.
Yet does your table match that of other’s? If a room full of people were to think of a table, would that table look the same? Would it be wooden or marble? Would it be the same height? Would it have the same number of legs? Would it be square or rectangular or some other shape?
Aristotle posed that there is an ultimate table or perfect thing that exists that in form as the ‘Table’.
And many philosophers beyond that question the shadows and fractal images created by this ideal objective form of a table. While other philosophers question if the real objective table exists at all. Some pose that it’s constructed to exist in form.
Perhaps a Simulacra and a Simulation, perhaps a hyperreality, perhaps no objectivity, or perhaps a shadow world in some Plato’s cave somewhere.
What then is reality?
Also,
here’s a cool comic excerpt The World After The End;
















What is a ‘real’ teacup? Does such a thing exist?
What is a ‘real’ table? Does such a thing exist?
What is ‘objective’ reality? Does such a thing exist?
What is ‘Truth’?
What is ‘God’? What is ‘The Dao’? What is the ‘Universe’?
Are we but half blind men describing an elephant by our limited perception of touch? Or is the elephant illusionary and based only on the belief of common ground in a constructed reality?
Epilogue;
I personally like the belief that all realities are real and that they vary to degrees of ‘realness’ which is perceived. The feeling of ‘real’.
Like a dream state is real but the waking state is also real.
I view hyperreality in such a way, because it allows me to treat all conscious and sentient beings with a degree of respect as to not shatter or hurt their world. Their reality.
Because you’d be a fool to shout that a movie is fake in a movie theater, you’d likewise be a fool to shout that reality is fake in that very same reality, whether it be a dream, or this one.
It’s my practical and pragmatic way of living, exceptions do apply, perhaps I’m wrong, perhaps not. You’ll have to search for your truth yourself and come to your own conclusions, I’m merely sharing my notes and musings.
Just know,
Words Mean Things
Leave a comment