SUSPENSION OF MY DISBELIEF
Tuesday, July 14, 2020
In fiction writing, the reason we ‘get into the story’ as we do, and when we watch movies and television shows that grip us – when we feel we are there, seeing that scene and feeling that emotional tug, that is the suspension of disbelief.
Our logical brains knows those are well-written words, portrayed as real, but it triggers our emotions as if it was real. Our intellect, which recognizes the truth, also suspends that skepticism.
This construct of fiction has stretched over to the world of reality.
The reaction of every citizen has shifted to skepticism that ‘the numbers’ we were hearing and reading about were outrageously large to now coming to grips with the reality that today’s numbers which are way beyond anything we thought would happen, will seem small tomorrow when the numbers are higher.
True, Canadian provinces and our federal government are forcing us to collectively ‘do the right thing,’ we are at the same time seeing our American friends next door are a malaise of believers, disbelievers, and states with massive problems already overwhelmed yet acknowledging the worst is a week away, or several weeks away, it’s unbelievable. But it is believable.
In December, we heard the news that China was on top of it, then that they were not, and then hearing news of a total shutdown covering 30 million, then 60 million, of their citizens – keeping them in place. It sounded so unbelievable. Now their activities and actions of South Korea, Taiwan, and Singapore appear so exceptionally good. One would think that evidence would convince leaders around the world to take that degree of action, or more, and to do it more swiftly. Sadly, they’ve not believed the reality. Their existence is becoming a horror movie – because they suspended their belief in truth, science, and being prepared.
That the world is not ready for this, would be easy to say.
But that’s not true.
The world is the world, and it turns – entirely oblivious to our existence.
The world is always ready, and we need to always be prepared for anything that happens – because history reminds us it will.
We have no power to change big things, we’re just along for the ride – but when it comes to little things, we each hold enormous potential to change the world.
We have to change ourselves first, which is very hard.
After that, everything requiring change should come more easily for each of us.
Reader feedback:
I like the 80% rule; when the plan is there, pull the trigger on it. The first casualty of contact with reality is the original plan, you need to have gamed alternatives and be ready to change on the fly. I have met many people paralyzed by the fear of making mistakes, tweaking the plan until it was perfect. By the time they took the shot, the opportunity to be ahead of the curve had already passed. No risk, no reward. Risk management is all about awareness of risk and measuring frequency and severity. Life demands that we determine our risk tolerance, take steps to eliminate or mitigate what we can and have contingency plans for what we can’t. Or just stay in bed..., DM, Calgary, AB
“Enlightened self-interest” is good for society too!, DD, Calgary, AB
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