REFLECTIONS
I think I tend to be a bit of a contrarian and skeptic simply because so much of reality is innately counter-intuitive and our built world just so very poorly designed. My skepticism and contrarianism is not disagreement for sport, or an attempt to prove you wrong in any confrontational manner, but simply understanding that, as a condition and starting place, we must always assume we’re wrong – and know that even when we're right we are likely only conditionally so. Isn’t it true that most of what we know now was once contrary to reasonable opinion? Even having learned so much over the eons, and corrected much of our thinking, we still live in a very confusing and mixed-up world. And you don’t have to be probing the outer theoretical reaches of an obscure domain of science to stumble or get confused. No, even the most mundane elements of our world can and do trick us.
There are many examples to choose from but one of my favourites is the mirror. That's right, the mirror. Mirrors, as you know, display a kind of false image: because if you look at a mirror you see yourself looking back, as though you have a second self that’s walked to the other side of the glass, and is mimicking your every move. But if this was another person then your right side would be on their left, and your left on their right. Right? But of course this doesn’t happen in the mirror. Nope. Your mirrored self has their right arm on the same side as your right arm. All of this is obvious and yet, despite knowing this, folks are frequently confused by mirrors. Well, aren't we?
For instance, if you part your hair to the right, because you feel it looks better that way than to the left, and this choice is based on what you see in the mirror, (as it very likely is, given that a mirror is the way most people most often see themselves) well, then you’re wrong. For your whole life you’ve actually chosen to part your hair to the wrong side: actually in the direction that you feel looks worst on you. But you’re not alone. How many millions of people do this every day of their lives? Well, I’d assume, almost everyone with a mirror and a part in their hair. Sure, some folks don’t care which way their hair is parted and many don’t have a part, of course; but those that do tend to have strong feelings about it. (And then there’s all the things we do in a mirror that don't involve our hair. There's the slant of your hat or the way you throw your scarf or on which side of your shirt to wear your favourite pin or, well, countless other things...)
And yet when this mirror reversal is pointed out to folks, and they can clearly see what’s going on, few immediately make a change. In fact, when I talk to someone who’s never thought about this, the most common response is that they wished I hadn’t pointed it out. It never happens that they return to work or school the following week with a new hairdo. Why is that? Doesn’t that seem odd? Even knowing that what we’re doing is wrong (against our own personal preference), and even when the change would costs us nothing (in time, sweat, or gold), it seems almost impossible for most people to do differently. I find that simply amazing.
But it’s deeper than that, isn't it? Here is something totally subjective and personal: a preference solely based on observation, lived experience, and one’s own feelings and aesthetic. And yet the person involved is just totally wrong, fundamentally confused about reality – even that which they've seen with their very own eyes, over and over, day after day, for their whole life. And, further still, nobody set out to mislead them. No. All the naked information was right there the whole time. And they still successfully mislead themself.
This is why I'm a skeptic, have contrarian impulses, and trust (with the required incredulity) only science. Being a skeptic is just my attempt to see the world how it actually is while trying to reflect upon what I've learned and, always, inviting you to do the same.
But isn’t that just what most folks are doing most of the time? Isn’t that actually what you mean when you say “I believe X” or “I think Y”? I feel it is. And, I mean, really, what other option is there?
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