I think all of us would agree that what we believe in this world is solely based on how we perceive the world we live in. Of course, the fact that we believe something does not necessarily make it true, although once we perceive something as being true,we are unwilling to accept that that idea may be false. Human nature is such that, the mood that person is in at a certain time would affect their perception at that time. This makes way for great methods of manipulation. Those who would manipulate us call it 'helping us to make well-informed decisions'.
One thing about the human psyche that helps this manipulation greatly is our need to be told what to do. I think that from a very young age, we are conditioned to be told what to do. This is quite acceptable, as 'being told what to do' upholds the structure of society. Parents will advise children, teachers will teach students, bosses will order their subordinates around. People who question authority are social deviants and would cause ripples in the well-ordered structure of society. However, aren't those ripples in society what takes th world forward? Again, that is merely the way I perceive it; and I may be wrong.
Would the world have been a better place without those social deviants, without revolution? I tend to believe it wouldn't, but again, that's merely how I perceive things. Wouldn't someone who perceives revolution as anarchy invariably state that it is a bad thing? How am I to argue with that person, based on my perception alone? We are taught that the various revolutions that occurred in the world happened for the greater good, and given facts to prove it only because it is the winners of the war who write history. The revolution was won, order was restored and society moved forward. That's what we are told, what we perceive. How can we prove that it's right?In Sri Lanka, the media has taken on the role of shaping the perception of our citizens. We are shown what we perceive as the truth by our preferred media organization, whom we would perceive as telling the truth. Then there are the ultimate cynics who don't believe anyone. Anyway, how to we know we're not being manipulated by our preferred media organization to join their side of the war? How do we know it's the right side? Even my perception seems quite skewed to one side when I think about it. I firmly believe in one side, and dislike anyone who supports the other. But I have no sure-fire way of knowing whether I'm on the right side.
What is the 'right' side anyway? Isn't that based on perception as well? Anyway, I think I should stop this before I drive myself mad. The next time you get angry at someone for having the 'wrong' idea, hopefully you will remember that those beliefs are based on their perception of the world, as are yours.
One thing about the human psyche that helps this manipulation greatly is our need to be told what to do. I think that from a very young age, we are conditioned to be told what to do. This is quite acceptable, as 'being told what to do' upholds the structure of society. Parents will advise children, teachers will teach students, bosses will order their subordinates around. People who question authority are social deviants and would cause ripples in the well-ordered structure of society. However, aren't those ripples in society what takes th world forward? Again, that is merely the way I perceive it; and I may be wrong.
Would the world have been a better place without those social deviants, without revolution? I tend to believe it wouldn't, but again, that's merely how I perceive things. Wouldn't someone who perceives revolution as anarchy invariably state that it is a bad thing? How am I to argue with that person, based on my perception alone? We are taught that the various revolutions that occurred in the world happened for the greater good, and given facts to prove it only because it is the winners of the war who write history. The revolution was won, order was restored and society moved forward. That's what we are told, what we perceive. How can we prove that it's right?In Sri Lanka, the media has taken on the role of shaping the perception of our citizens. We are shown what we perceive as the truth by our preferred media organization, whom we would perceive as telling the truth. Then there are the ultimate cynics who don't believe anyone. Anyway, how to we know we're not being manipulated by our preferred media organization to join their side of the war? How do we know it's the right side? Even my perception seems quite skewed to one side when I think about it. I firmly believe in one side, and dislike anyone who supports the other. But I have no sure-fire way of knowing whether I'm on the right side.
What is the 'right' side anyway? Isn't that based on perception as well? Anyway, I think I should stop this before I drive myself mad. The next time you get angry at someone for having the 'wrong' idea, hopefully you will remember that those beliefs are based on their perception of the world, as are yours.