Lie to Me: Illusions of Truth & Independence
See part 1 here - There’s Nothing New Under the Sun. (But, Lie to me. I like it.)
Despite how medicine, life hacks, and “total wellness solutions” are sold to us… real science is built on uncertainty. Ethical scientists work from the understanding that there is no final answer - no moment when we land on a concrete, eternal fact. Ethical science is a slow, disciplined process of asking, chasing patterns, gathering evidence with an open mind and skeptical eye.
That doesn’t pair well with capitalism. This doesn’t market well to sell us things. Scientists are pressured to establish authority, securing funding, publish results that prove something, and establish patents that feed wealth - fast.
My doctor says…
Here’s what’s rarely said out loud:
Research is only as good as the quality of the data.
And the data is only as reliable as what we can and choose to measure. These are the variables.
And what what we find is entirely determined by the questions we ask and those we don’t.
Can we see all the variables? (No.)
If we could, could we measure them all? (Also no.)
Do our questions shape our results? (Always.)
Are our conclusions built on bias? (Usually.)
Then there’s the observer effect, from physics, but rippling out beyond it. The simple act of observing changes the thing being observed. Nothing is untouched.
And here’s a sobering fact: up to 50% of medical research results can’t be reproduced. In one landmark study, 70% of researchers couldn’t reproduce their own findings.
To be clear, this is not an argument against science. This isn’t about conspiracy or deception in science (that belongs to capitalism fueled marketing). This is about the sobering reality of the limits of our systems (that own us).
Science is help. It is hope. Scientists are mostly extraordinary people, driven by purpose, by curiosity, by the desire to ease suffering. But we’re all bound, at least partly, by the systems we serve.
So What Do We With All That?
Critical thinking can only take place if we’re willing to find out we’re wrong. We start thinking about our own thinking. Metacognition is the act of doing exactly that.
Here’s a foundation that opens this door:
Facts. A fact is a statement about something most people can observe. If a large enough pool of evidence supports it, we call it “true.” If not, we call it “false.”
But, we all filter what we observe. First, through the lens of our perception, which determines what our five senses literally experience in any situation. Then, through the lens of our beliefs. And, the lens of our belonging in our lives, which gives us the illusion of safety. We do this unconsciously and rapidly to arrive at an interpretation that allows to engage.
Traveling or living in different places, changing jobs, learning languages, seeking people who are different from us - expands our capacity, perception, and loosens our fear of change. (And protects our brains from aging!)
Ask yourself:
What am I not seeing in this situation? Even better, what do I not want to see in this situation?
How would someone different than me view this? How would they think, feel, believe? With goodwill, try on the perception of folks you don’t like. Try on a few.
What am I ignoring because it’s inconvenient, uncomfortable, or threatening to something about my life?
Most of us can’t see what lies beyond our lenses of perception, belief, and belonging. Not because we’re stupid or stubborn, but because it destabilizes who we think we are. This is does not indicate danger is lurking in the unknown. It’s just our fear of the unknown. We’re scared. Which leads us to…
Values. Our values shape how we see the world and ourselves. They define who we think we are and who we think others are. Our values cause us to double-down on our lenses of perception, belief, and belonging that skew facts. Our values are conditioned and usually go unnamed and unquestioned, unless there’s an uncomfortable event that forces reflection.
We build lives - friendships, routines, echo chambers - that confirm our values.
Because if we started to question them? We might have to change. And that… is terrifying. It can feel like loss. Like exile. Like betrayal.
What would happen if you questioned one of your core values? (I’m not asking you to question it, just what would happen if you did?)
This is why disagreements devolve into wars within families, within communities, between nations. Which leads us to…
Policies. Policies are values in action. They’re what we think we should do. They shape everyday behaviors, habits, laws, institutions.
If we can’t question our “facts” and adjust our values, our policies become rigid. Destructive. Oppressive.
This equation should haunt us
facts that can’t be questioned +
values that can’t be changed =
a hamster wheel of fear and destruction
We keep awkwardly running… into bad choices, into conflict, into collapse, into ourselves.
What would happen if you dared to question something you think is unchangeable?
And there’s more…
Capacity for healthy feeling, emotional regulation, and willingness to be wrong is PREREQUISITE to clear, powerful thinking.
I’m writing about the mental structures because that’s the rigor I nailed myself to for decades - before I arrived at healthy feeling and sustained emotional regulation. The mental rigor will take you far, but it’s not much help with authentic connection, beauty, or quality of life problems.
All of life exists in relationship and resonance. (More on that soon.)
Yeah… this is a lot to consider. (Many students have said, “This gives me a headache.”)
It might stretch your brain. Maybe even hurt a little.
But if you made it this far? A+. Gold star. Seriously.
You want to listen to this song, I promise: No Shortcuts by Heather Maloney & Darlingside.