Why Lies Thrive
I find myself deeply disturbed by a growing phenomenon: why do some people believe lies over facts? In 2024, it's alarming that we're still debating the reality of climate change, with rising sea levels, worsening air quality, and unaffordable insurance in Florida. This isn’t just about climate change; it's about the urgent need for critical thinking.
I reflect on moments in my life when I was pressured to make decisions, only to realize later that I was misled or lied to. Today, we see self-help gurus cashing in, politicians taking credit for things they opposed, and landlords hiking rents exorbitantly. People are desperate for a savior, clinging to unrealistic hopes, when in reality, change requires collective effort—a village, not a messiah.
Mass delusions can be as dangerous as mass murderers like Manson or Jim Jones, manipulating us to serve their interests. We need to wake up from this toxic dream, much like Snow White from the poisoned apple. It's as if we're living in a distorted Wonderland where up is down, and wrong is right.
Our identity isn’t just in labels but in embracing multiple truths. Yes, we are complex, but we also have the power to learn. Curiosity is a gift. Most of us share common thoughts in our unique ways—that’s the beauty of creativity. Artists, surgeons, and thinkers collaborate to create and discover new paths forward. Shouldn't we do the same with our sources of information?
By questioning sources, seeking diverse perspectives, and analyzing the motives behind the messages we receive, we can protect ourselves from falling into the trap of believing comforting lies over inconvenient truths.
Expanding our resources takes vulnerability because we have to acknowledge there might be something we don’t yet know or fully understand. But it’s essential if we are to truly see the world as it is.
A new world is out there, waiting for us to see it.
Photo by Derek Owens on Unsplash