[idealisticcynic]

Reality is subjective. Entirely subjective. Each individual filters the information they receive from the world around them based on what is important to them, their values, cultural influences, upbringing, conditioning... The human brain cannot process all the information it receives from the five senses simultaneously and so it picks those things that are most important, most pertinent to the individual, and discards the rest. The filters that I apply to what my senses tell me are around me are unique and entirely different from yours or anyone else's. What we call reality can only really be what we as an individual perceive as reality....and my reality, as is yours, is entirely my own.

[Cheshire Cat]

We all know that leaves are green, it's something we all agree. But is it there something like an universal green? how do I know whether my green leaves don't look like (my) red to you? colors are abstract notions. No one can really assure that my colors are the same as your colors, only that out there all the things has some common features. To think this is pointless anyway because we are prisoners of our own perception. Even if we could enter in some other's mind, the outside reality will always need to pass by our own filters.

[idealisticcynic]

I have had this exact thought... When we are children someone points to a hue and tells us "this is green," and so we associate what we see there with the word green. But this in no way means that what we are seeing and what the person naming it for us are seeing is the same thing.

[elissabowden]

Reality is subjective. Entirely subjective. Each individual filters the information they receive from the world around them based on what is important to them, their values, cultural influences, upbringing, conditioning... The human brain cannot process all the information it receives from the five senses simultaneously and so it picks those things that are most important, most pertinent to the individual, and discards the rest. The filters that I apply to what my senses tell me are around me are unique and entirely different from yours or anyone else's. What we call reality can only really be what we as an individual perceive as reality....and my reality, as is yours, is entirely my own.

This in itself is an example of relativity. Granted we all see the world how we want to see it, but there are two sides to everything. The opposite of this would be absolute truth, meaning there is one right or wrong, one way to see things, etc. So, it depends on what you think. Most people tend to be relativists.

We all know that leaves are green, it's something we all agree. But is it there something like an universal green? how do I know whether my green leaves don't look like (my) red to you? colors are abstract notions. No one can really assure that my colors are the same as your colors, only that out there all the things has some common features. To think this is pointless anyway because we are prisoners of our own perception. Even if we could enter in some other's mind, the outside reality will always need to pass by our own filters.

This is also a common idea in the philosophical world yet to be intensly studied. But this is exactly my point. There could be a true green. But then one would think "well if more people see that green as green but I see that green as blue, then does that make me wrong or insane?" Maybe. Or one could say "no, that just means you have a different perspective." It all depends on how the individual thinks. Honestly, I think relativity is like giving up on philosophy. There is no reason to try to understand and dissect something when "well everyone is right and everyone can be wrong depending on their beliefs". And based on this, I refuse to believe in relativity. You can study philosophy and other people's beliefs and theories, but where does this get you? Everyone is out to find the truth, so what is it really? Are you really going to just go "well, depends on your perspective" then make up your own reason to exsist? "well everyone exsists in what purpose they give themselves." then why are we all trying to find the truth?

It's like "well in my culture, it's okay to do human sacrifice." "well in mine it's not." but if you go to another culture, and you're from a different one, is it okay to do human sacrifice because it's what you believe? or should you follow the laws of the land?

Just some more thought and insight into the subject of relativity as opposed to one truth.

[lalalalela]

I more or less believe what LadyAutumn believes. Now people are getting scared because some of them have read my previous posts, and to find out someone like me is a Christian is...to put it mildly...disturbing.

But, back to the initial topic, I do have those types of thoughts. Deep shit that no one would listen to if I said it aloud. A lot of it has to do with spirituality, but not all of it. Some of it has to do with psychology or emotionality.

Anyone ever feel like they are in a huge movie and everyone else around them are just actors and extras...or...props? Kinda like in that film Truman, or Truman Show, or whatever. Anyone? Like, you are the main character and the people close to you are the supporting cast, and everyone else are just extras. One time, I swear to God, I saw two cardboard cutouts standing on the side of the road as I drove past, and then when I looked back, they were people, real people, talking and moving! If you saw the movie I am Legend, you might find this funny.

I feel like that all the time!!! When I was little my life used to be a book. I used to narrate it in my head 24/7... non stop. "I walked up to the Wet-n-Wild sign in awe.. I couldn't wait to go in!" (That's like the only thing I remember xD) Now it's more like a movie... every day It starts over and the viewers have to figure out my life by what happens during that day. I always feel like there's an audience watching me or something... and I'm just acting. It's not a bad thing or anything... I actually enjoy it. :)

[Shaunn]

I came to doubt authenticity. What is authenticity really? I'm not sure it exists. What is real anyway? My identity is constructed since the day I was born. The clothes I wear to the music I listen are constructed by outer forces. They stood in a frame that was presented to me. I filtered some out and chose to wear the clothes I wear and listen to the music I listen to. When I'd have lived 250 years ago I would dress up differently and would probably listen to the music of that time. I'm a product of my time and culture. Authenticity would be acting out like a dinosaur or like a brave man fighting mammoths while wearing a deerskin.

Authenticity only exists to the degree you are willing to grant it... simple as that

[pocoturtle]

I think I like this thread.

Nothing is absolute. It's impossible for anything to be impossible.. or something like that. (I always speak in absolute terms, even though I don't believe in them! I think my assumption is that every absolute statement is a hyperbole.. which is probably why I use them all the time.)

No two things are identical. Even if they are made from the same components, those components can never be identical.. etc.

My entire life is a dream. Reality is a lie.

[pocoturtle]

I have had this exact thought... When we are children someone points to a hue and tells us "this is green," and so we associate what we see there with the word green. But this in no way means that what we are seeing and what the person naming it for us are seeing is the same thing.

Exactly! What if what I see as purple is what someone sees as red, and another person as blue or yellow?

[kal32205]

i think about this a lot also. We are just a body. the body is so strange to me. i feel like it's not my body, but just something that i happen to control. or am able to control.

I feel like that. Sometimes I get caught up and stare at myself in the mirror and think "who are you?" LOL.

[SpankyMcFly]

It's tempting to see infinity as a line that stretches in two directions to the end of sight.
But, I think infinity looks more like a sphere.

Interesting indeed, I've altways thought infinity was a circle.