The matrix of untruth
We like to think that we're pretty good at spotting a liar. But the truth is, our brains are not equipped to deal with the Matrix of Untruth that we now find ourselves in..
It's hard to say for sure whether the information layer of this reality is leaning towards untruth now.
Untruth can be a difficult concept to define, and it's hard to tell how much weight to give to different pieces of information. In addition, there are often many layers of truth (or untruth)
in any given situation, making it hard to draw definitive conclusions. However, it's definitely worth paying attention to the overall trend, and if it seems like untruth is becoming more prevalent, it's important to take steps to counter it. Otherwise, we could find ourselves in a very slippery situation indeed.
I call it "The Matrix of Untruth" as it is composed of so many different layers of cognitive structures that lean into hiding the structure of how truth emerge or how we can speak freely. It is a matrix because it is multi-layered and each layer has multiple functions. The bottom layer consists of our basic assumptions about reality, what is real and what isn't, what can be known and what can't, what exists and what doesn't. These assumptions ground our beliefs and how we interpret information. The next layer up is made up of our beliefs, which include both factual beliefs ("Paris is the capital of France") and nonfactual ones ("God exists"). Our beliefs guide how we think and act. They also interact with the bottom layer, shaping and being shaped by our assumptions about reality. Together, these two layers form a matrix that determines how we see the world and what we believe to be true.
We've all been there. Staring at our computer screen, trying to make sense of the Matrix of Untruth that is the internet. We see headlines and stories that conflict with each other, often from respected sources. We read articles that contain lies, half-truths, and outright propaganda. And we start to wonder: is my brain really up to the task of parsing all this information?
We like to think that we're pretty good at spotting a liar. But the truth is, our brains are not equipped to deal with the Matrix of Untruth that we now find ourselves in.
Every day, we're bombarded with a deluge of information - and much of it is inaccurate, misleading, or flat-out false. It's simply too much for our poor, 2 million year old brains to process. As a result, we often end up believing things that aren't true. And that's a problem, because when we base our decisions on erroneous information, it can have real-world consequences. So what can we do about it? Unfortunately, there's no easy fix. But one thing we can do is try to be more discerning about the sources of our information. before blindly believing something we read or hear, take a moment to consider whether it's coming from a reliable source. It won't solve all our problems, but it's a good place to start.
There's no question that the internet has made it easier than ever to spread lies and misinformation. With the click of a button, billions of people can share inaccurate information with unprecedented speed and reach. This Matrix of Untruth has caused all sorts of problems, from political polarization to the proliferation of fake news.
Given the power of the internet, some have argued that we need to be more careful about who we give this power to - after all, not everyone can be trusted to use it responsibly.
In a world where anyone can start a website or social media account, it's becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between credible and unreliable sources of information. As a result, some people believe that we need to be more selective about who we allow to share information online.
Whether or not you agree with this viewpoint, there's no denying that the internet has made lying easier than ever before. In an age where truths are easy to distort and lies can travel at the speed of light, we need to be more vigilant than ever about evaluating the information we see online.
We are in the Matrix of Untruth. And instead of thinking, we are cancelling intellectuals - people who can think deeper and critical of the uncharted and unknown.
We have become a society that is more interested in innovation and entertainment than truth. We have become more about creating than discovering. And this Matrix of Untruth is being fed by a multi-dimensional system of power, propaganda, and distraction that is unprecedented in human history. This system is designed to keep us busy, stressed, afraid, and addicted so that we don't have the time or energy to question the things that really matter. It is a system of control that relies on our complacency and conformity to function.
We're in the Matrix of Untruth, and it will get worse before it becomes better.
It takes 5 to 25 years for a cycle of untruth to be uncovered and critically pinned down as a bad route to take - after it destroyed so many lives. Communism is a great example of this. We're currently in the midst of another one of these cycles, and we need to be patient and allow the process to play out. In the meantime, we should keep our eyes open and try to learn from history so that we don't make the same mistakes again.
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