Some stand by the old adage that perception is reality. This aphorism has never been true or factual, but it has long been used to influence and justify. It has no productive place in politics; we should not be swapping out democracy for alternate realities. Politely saying, FULL STOP.
“Perception as reality” isn’t all bad. For example, when it is used to help appreciate dreams or art. And what is sales except convincing someone that they will really be better off if they buy your product? These uses have relatively little or no harmful effects.
But as a consuming tactic for governing people, perception-as-reality has a bottomless downside. We see dire dereliction that is an affront to our national stability. As politicians laugh.
Liz Cheney’s quote today said “Trump’s big lie is the poisoning of democracy”. I agree on this, even if not with her policies.
My take on this is that you are entitled to your own opinions, but not your own acts.
Perception is all many American politicians (both parties) have to offer. In ignorance and desperation, promotion of perception as reality is a scourge on the land. It is a weapon against the people in the American cultural tug-of-war.
For individuals and our country, perception-as-reality is not okay. It can reach a point of deception from which there is no return.
So, FULL STOP.
People promote perception(s) to which they avow. They repeat them often. Then they say any contrary or questioning words are falsehoods to disrupt their experienced reality. They are quick to assert that words or a stance different than theirs constitutes vile suppression (or maybe it’s communism!).
Bankrupt politicians fight hard for their perception-begotten-reality. It gives them a twisted personal satisfaction, power and money, all in concert with revered falsehood organizer-facilitators. The Republican base and its panderers display this practice most blatantly. I am for certain conservatism, by the way.
Anti-realists are similar to anti-vaccers in terms of undermining important aspects of social progress. To undermine reality for more than innocent humor or thoughtful consideration is anti-social.
Psychology Today provides their usual good treatment of the topic. Here’s their synopsis by Jim Taylor, PhD.:
Perception is not reality, but, admittedly, perception can become a person’s reality (there is a difference) because perception has a potent influence on how we look at reality. Think of it this way. Perception acts as a lens through which we view reality.”
It is not acceptable for politicians to rely on falsehood as a segue to perception, there to be defended as reality. In the absence of leadership substance, this manipulative ploy has sadly become more and more commonplace. Big lies are trying to drown out big lies; history shows this has throttled democracies and civilized progress.
In the end it seems an issue of morals. Increasingly, the culture allows people to build themselves up at the expense of others who are dependent upon them.