My Brain is a Liar
My Brain is a Liar
Like the bible says, “Everyone is a lying sack of scum.” This translation comes from the original Greek, as determined by the much esteemed “Magula Translation.” What it means is simple, long before you can find an honest opinion, you’ll have to filter out a whole lot of very personal prejudice.
Most of us, maybe all of us, are oblivious, regarding our bias. Again, the reason is simple; it’s lonely in there, the place where my brain picks and chooses what it deems meaningful. Not surprisingly, my brain likes what it likes and generally disregards the rest. And, the most troubling part, my brain is seldom even remotely aware of what it’s unaware of. Go ahead, ask my brain a question. My brain will immediately start justifying its choices, saying things like “Well….I’ve examined the subject from all angles, and what I’ve concluded is that what I think is right, is right. Trust me. I wouldn’t lie.” And then, somewhere down the road, you find that your brain was lying like a rug.
But you/me/we, were oblivious because our brains lie like that. You just can’t trust them. Which is why you have to take control of your brain and force it to look past its deep-rooted prejudices. This is not easy, though. Your brain is pretty much in charge.
Every once in a while, though, we break free from old patterns of behavior and old beliefs, sticking our heads up like a groundhog searching for its shadow at the beginning of Spring.
Springtime is the time when hope springs eternal. For a few seconds, at least. In that fleeting moment, we can only hope to find a little chunk of clarity. If so, grab it and hold fast, because our brains need very little justification to start lying again.
It appears to be the price of being human.
Mark Magula
Like the bible says, “Everyone is a lying sack of scum.” This translation comes from the original Greek, as determined by the much esteemed “Magula Translation.” What it means is simple, long before you can find an honest opinion, you’ll have to filter out a whole lot of very personal prejudice.
Most of us, maybe all of us, are oblivious, regarding our bias. Again, the reason is simple; it’s lonely in there, the place where my brain picks and chooses what it deems meaningful. Not surprisingly, my brain likes what it likes and generally disregards the rest. And, the most troubling part, my brain is seldom even remotely aware of what it’s unaware of. Go ahead, ask my brain a question. My brain will immediately start justifying its choices, saying things like “Well….I’ve examined the subject from all angles, and what I’ve concluded is that what I think is right, is right. Trust me. I wouldn’t lie.” And then, somewhere down the road, you find that your brain was lying like a rug.
But you/me/we, were oblivious because our brains lie like that. You just can’t trust them. Which is why you have to take control of your brain and force it to look past its deep-rooted prejudices. This is not easy, though. Your brain is pretty much in charge.
Every once in a while, though, we break free from old patterns of behavior and old beliefs, sticking our heads up like a groundhog searching for its shadow at the beginning of Spring.
Springtime is the time when hope springs eternal. For a few seconds, at least. In that fleeting moment, we can only hope to find a little chunk of clarity. If so, grab it and hold fast, because our brains need very little justification to start lying again.
It appears to be the price of being human.
Mark Magula