The relativity of reality

“Reality leaves a lot to the imagination.”

John Lennon

I agree with Plato who suggested that what most people saw as reality was akin to its shadow cast upon the wall of the cave of our own ignorance. It seems to me that we have forgotten what it really means to be a human being as opposed to a human doing. Ask someone who they are and they will more than likely tell you what they do for a living not the type of person they are or what they value. Our reality appears to be one of having not belonging; much of the world’s true reality and importance is by most, not only unnoticed but abused.

Wealth appears to be the cornerstone of our current reality but this is relative. One does not have to go very far back to find a time when home or even car ownership was the preserve of the wealthy, whereas now it is the norm. This does not mean that there is not an ever widening gap between the haves and the have nots, it is just that the vast majority of us in the developed countries have so much more than ever before. It is interesting to note however that people are as, if not more, dissatisfied than ever, which suggests that it is not what we have in absolute terms but relative to each other that concerns us. If this is truly the case we could all simply have less and still be as happy.

We need to understand that our perception of reality is shaped by what we value and what we value needs to support the good of all, not only all mankind but every other species and the ecosystem. In most cultures the primary indicator of value is expressed fiscally. People who do things in the world of commerce that have high perceived value, are financial rewarded; be that a CEO, an actor or even a sports person. If we truly want to draw back from the brink we could start by rewarding those who are contributing most in support of the desired change, perhaps with less obscene individual incomes and larger grants to be used in furtherance of their efforts on our collective behalf. I believe that most financially successful people today are more interested in the kudos that their success brings and not actually the money, the money just serves to make it visible to others. For this reason I see no reason why many of today’s successful people would not be equally successful in a system that put far less emphasis on commercial success and more on social and environmental sensitivity.

I cannot count the number of times people have told me that I am not living in the real world and that I need to see the world as it is. Well I do see it and I’m happy to say it looks far more inviting than that which many others tell me is their reality.