Will B.

The human mind and body are such a mystery sometimes, and sometimes we have it all figured out. Perception is one of those things about us humans that will work for or against us in certain situations. I enjoy thinking about philosophy and discussing it from time to time with the right person. I am a big believer in perception is reality, good or bad, our minds make something true even if it’s not.

George Berkeley in the 1700’s started a big discussion about sensory perception and other philosophical discussions and debates.

He is famous for his question, ‘If a tree falls in the forest and no one hears it - did it really fall?’ Lee Atwater in the 1980s stated that perception is reality. I apply this to different points in my life but noticed it most in photography and art.

I have been into photography for about 40 years now and professionally for almost 30 years. I noticed early on that two photographers can look at something, take a photo and see two totally different things and the same goes for those who look at art and photographs. For me, I believe it is because every single human has different experiences, memories and so on that no one else has. So, for example one person can look at a painting of a family having a picnic by the stream and see a happy scene in the sun of a loving family. Another person will see a family arguing by a raging river over a picnic gone bad. It’s all about our perceptions, experiences and memories that help the mind see what it does.

I could discuss it for hours but I bet most know the saying to be true: just because you see it almost everyday on the news or listening to people talk about a memory from years past. The mind is a tricky thing that people have been studying for decades.

So, the concept of “perception is reality” can really mold what a person believes or even a situation or event.

Have you ever had an argument with someone who is passionate about an idea and no matter if you present scientific data that their view is wrong, they refuse to concede their viewpoint?

Sometimes this causes arguments and even wars. Just look at religion. Wars have been fought since the beginning of time, all over someone’s perception of what they believe is reality.

I guess the point I am trying to make is we humans all have different ideas on what reality is, regardless of what is factual. It’s time we start keeping that in mind when dealing with each other and just try to see where each of our views are coming from and understand that we may never agree on certain things.

One of my favorite thoughts or sayings is, we can disagree and still be friends, mostly. Next time you get into an argument or disagree with someone try to remember that we all see things differently and be a little more understanding.

This is Will B saying, we can disagree and still be friends but if you don’t love dogs we can’t be friends!