Perception is Projection
By Benjamin Goss, MBA
A window on variability & personality perhaps … perception is projection – or is it?
Is it fair to say that there is a perception problem when comparing one’s personal perception of reality versus another’s?
Sooooo much data is processed automatically … is it possible that our understanding of perception is fractured in that we are trying to break it down into its individual parts [a “bit”] – which is a particularly western way of thinking.
The human brain isn’t a computer – though it processes data in a manner that’s similar … a “bit” is one point of data and is a computerized way to try and understand how we assimilate pieces of information.
-11,000,000 points of data per second
-up to 100 Billion brain cells massively interconnected
which means “the brain might be capable of executing as many as 100 billion operations per second…”
Yet apparently – we are only consciously addressing and paying attention to roughly 50 bits per second?!?
Attention is precious. Our consciousness appears to be wrapped up in such a tiny fraction of what is happening around us.
So the statement that perception is reality (from yesterday), perhaps should be rephrased to reality is wrapped in my conscious awareness of what I am perceiving in the moment.
If we cannot share our perception – pay attention to the same bits of information – no wonder we can arrive at such radically different conclusions.
Perhaps misunderstanding is the result of lack of alignment in attention … I need to think about this more. There is a link below to some of the proposed biological basis of what I am saying.
I think the challenge is that we are holistic, complete beings and we do not comprehend or enter/interact with our environment in such a dichotomous, differentiated, separate manner … yet, breaking it down is perhaps the only way we can understand what is really incomprehensible.
A fancy way of saying – perhaps we should give each other more grace and be far less quick to be offended or upset. I personally need to self-reflect on this reality more.
It should be noted that this is the basis for unconscious bias … though honestly even with the scientific discussion about processing information … that phrase feels overdone. Maybe because I am not a fan of Carl Jung …