TED Conversations

Vera Nova

Director -- Product Development, NOVA Town Futuristic Development

This conversation is closed. Start a new conversation
or join one »

People who can see only what is near their noses are actually blind and deaf. Why are they so sure of that flat screen of their reality?

One may try to share his or her personal experience with others, but there is always someone who denies it, moreover, having absolutely no doubts about whatever may happen to others is always a bluff. He or she knows "better". At the same time the junk that this denying sarcastic person sees on a flat screen of his TV means the world for him/her.

By saying being Blind and Deaf I mean having problems in sensing at least slightly beyond what is "obvious". One may hear every instrument in the orchestra but the rest cannot - this does not mean that the instruments do not exist.

+2
Share:

Showing single comment thread. View the full conversation.

  • thumb

    carolina varela

    • +2
    Jul 11 2012: It's quite fascinating to live in a reality that is in many ways is unique and created by one's own unconscious. The truth of it is that we all have different experiences, memories that have become prime moments in shaping who we are. Therefore its conclusive that with these individual experiences we associate the every day with different symbols. Interpret life in way that others may not agree with. Hence our reality cannot be a shared reality. Since as you mention we constantly compare what we see in attempt to perceive it with what we know. However it is sad to know that within these comparisons logic seems to emerge. this idea of "misoneism" the fear of what is new and unknown drives many to shut off any reality that doesn't seem to fit. it may not be so much that they are sure of their flat screen reality that lies right in front of them but that they rather not confront the notion of their being something else. for that very observation threatens to turmoil everything they thought they knew, question everything they've accumulated, and essentially that fear leads them to a one perspective reality. i then believe that the true question arises, where does the capability of believing things that may not be completely defined and the one who thinks that anything out of visibility is untrue and therefore non existent. it's kind of a psychological barrier that prevents us from facing something new.

    the half shut eye.
    • thumb

      Vera Nova

      • 0
      Jul 11 2012: Grateful for your post, Carolina. Not only individuals who are not able to use their talent and intuition to create a better world within and without, but also our stiff man-made systems are designed to fight new, denying new knowledge and old wisdom as well. Since I was a very young student of my life I wondered how come that our civilization has been "developed" based on no-go ideas of the old politician Plato, while ignoring the meaning of Heraclitus' Change and Protagoras' unavoidable Limitations of our perceptions? People follow not wisdom that demands thinking but dogmatic, ready-to-go concepts. Even sciences in our days still use the same mentality of proving "reality" based on what they "see" on the surface!! The most great ideas and works are still demolishing along with their authors. In our unique times of non-stop screaming madness the best of the best is still doomed - because real wisdom or grace cannot scream, they cannot be loud. IS this possible to see people learning to respect original and unique as something that can be turned into their own salvation? A physically blind person may "see" in the dark, while we, sighted creatures do not see what is happening in front of our eyes. Will people ever learn to learn?

Showing single comment thread. View the full conversation.