Finding Truth Amidst Information Overload

 

Sunday Blog- The Sunday Blog is a little bit different. It takes a look at things in context of spirituality, and more specifically my religious beliefs. I hope whatever you believe this can start a meaningful conversation.

 

                It has been said that we live in a time of too much information. Whereas for most of human history books and information were hard to come by, now the internet has given platform to every stray thought and opinion. The ease of posting something online combined with the protection of distance has emboldened people to speak out. Sometimes that is good, it moves to care for or protect others. Many times, it is bad, it is the strange inner thoughts and theories broadcast out. Those strange inner thoughts though, they are interesting to us. So, before you know it there are blatantly false ideas being shared and spread all over socials.

                This has brought about some categories of people. For ease I am going to separate them into four parts. The first is the true believer. This person grabs onto a certain type or area of belief and everything that confirms that joins the belief. The second type is the open skeptic. They don’t tend to believe things they see on the internet. Given some evidence and good sources they will begin to believe, but the process is slow. The third is the fighter. The fighter just wants to be contrary. Their goal is to find something that contradicts what you are saying or to attack you. They come in different shapes and sizes, but they all like to argue rather than gain information. The last is the denier. This person denies everything that cannot be proven right in front of them. Anyone can make a video or a post, it is not real unless I can verify it. There are many of these in the flat earth movement. Now some people are a combination, which could create many more categories.

                The one thing that really separates these categories is the search for and acceptance of Truth. Truth with a capital T. I know that is like a swear word in our society. Everyone has their own truth, Miles. People have their own experience and what is true for you might not be true for them. Even so, there is Truth. Truth is a set that is true for everyone, and they do not change over time. Across all time, society, culture, and individual experience these things remain true. Think of gravity, air, or water. Those are simple examples. You can tell me gravity doesn’t apply to you, but it does not matter what you say or believe. You can fight it hard be using machines or even launching into space. Yet, gravity still is real. Trying to manipulate language to make everything seem ethereal and ambiguous is a sign of immaturity and a lack of discipline. Are words mean something. Each one has a definition. Unfortunately, those definitions have changed over time, and worse yet many use them in ways that don’t fit the definition.

                Lets take the word “racist”. Racist literally means believing that one race is above or better than another. That word though had been twisted to mean something else. They should come up with a different word. Manipulation of language is also a sign that someone is attempting to manipulate society. Ask yourself, what is the point of changing the meaning of the word? If the point was to discover what is right and best then making a new word would be great. If you change the meaning of a word, then you can no longer have thoughtful discussion with those who are using the old meaning. It cuts of conversation between “believers” and “nonbelievers”. That is one of the aspects of a cult. Keep that in mind.

                Not only is their Truth, but there is Truth in every aspect of life. But Miles, that is crazy talk, people do have different experiences. Yes, that is True. That does not mean there is not Truth. It does mean that there are so many factors often times we are not able to perceive the Truth. I just want you to consider this. We have been philosophizing, discovering, scientifically testing, and mathematically investigating for thousands of years. Yet, we have not reached the end. Perhaps that is because existence is too broad of a subject for our minds to fully understand. If they are honest, people at the top of their field tend to say there must be some other factor. In physics we begin to talk of the quantum realm. In societal studies people are the usually the factor. In music people talk about connection, it is something we feel inside us.

                Perhaps we have all seen the 6 vs 9 meme. Two people on opposite sides fighting over what they see between them. One sees a 6 and the other a 9. What we need to understand is that meme only tells us one thing about Truth. Context matters. A 6 painted on a sidewalk for no reason is also a 9 from the other direction and it does not matter what we say, it is both. But a 6 in an equation for rocket fuel matters greatly. You cannot look at it from a different direction and decide it is a 9. That could lead to catastrophic results. Context is how we being to understand where we got individual truth from.

                You see, none of us have the exact same experience. We are the only us, and we are the only ones who have lived our lives. In one way that means that my context is different from yours. That also means that very specific truths only apply to me. We get into trouble when we try to apply specific truths to another person. However, backing up a few levels we can get to a truth that applies.

                I am the only one that can have my job. If someone else takes it, then it becomes their job. Then I go get a job, and again I am the only that can have my job. So, if someone is out of work, they cannot take my job, unless I give it up to them. However, my type of work or my company is a different story. They might like communicating with people, and so I might tell them to try to start a blog and see how it goes. Back up again. Every person needs some type of work. No matter who it is, if they do not have productive work, they will find wasteful work. Usually a difficulty finding where I fit in productive work leads to dedication to an addictive type of work. You can see these everywhere between video games and drugs.

                Going from general Truths we can then zero in and have meaningful discussion in context. Our society is attempting to say there is no such thing as Truth. The inevitable result is conflict. We are a free society, but only until that freedom disrupts someone else freedom. If we do not have certain Truths that hold us together, then we begin to split and that breads more and worsening conflict. Does that seem like what is happening today? As I am writing this there has been a riot going on for literally months. All over the country violent conflict has been breaking out. If you want to understand the root of this, all you need to do is go online. Go find a group that believes something contrary to what you believe. Try to have a conversation with them. It has become almost impossible.

                I used to be part of a philosophy and political debate group. After some time, I realized there was no real debate going on. Debating is a skill, but debate in real life has a purpose. The end result of debate is for all the parties to have more information and to be able to draw a more rational and informed conclusion. Yet, in that group, no one seemed to be gaining any sort of information. So, I left the group. Sometimes When I realize people are arguing to be right, I just stop. There is no point in trying to be right. Really it is an oxymoron.

                In a conversation if my goal is to be right, then I must stand on my original statement. Perhaps modifying it somewhat but still attempting to prove I am right. Remember though we already know that this reality is too complex for us to fully understand. If my energy is put towards proving I am right, then I will not be receiving outside information. If I do not receive outside information, then I can never make corrections when needed. That in turn prevents me from actually being right. Just imagine if a 5-year-old actually believed they knew everything and were right. If they were able to successfully refuse to gather any information for the rest of their life. At 45 they would have a very sad existence indeed. A wise person can learn from even the most foolish of individuals, but a fool learns from no one.

                In order to discern in a world full of information, we must start seeking truth. Honestly, I do not know how to do that well without the Bible. Say what you want, that has been my experience. I am easily deceived. I can believe things that are completely wrong. The only way for me to tell is to gather better information. Since the Bible is ultimate Truth, it gives me a broad starting point. It helps me to eliminate things that would just distract and cause problems. I am willing to accept that others navigate and discover much Truth without the Bible. But I truly believe it is ultimate Truth. Whatever you believe, it is up to us to be the change. We must find reason to seek Truth amidst each other. We can agree to disagree, we can have different opinions, but there is Truth.

                There is a best way of doing something. There is a best-case scenario. There is such a thing as Truth. We must stop allowing truth to distract us from seeking Truth. In our nation we have Truths are self-evident. We should stand on this and give and receive them. I want you to have freedom and human rights. I want to have freedom and human rights. We can do better. But not as long as we are listening to people that think they already know. I hope to explore this topic a great deal through future blogs. Please join the conversation. Like my page, follow me, and leave comments. Take care, and God Bless.