Originally published 100623

1979

PBS aired a program commemorating the one-hundredth anniversary of Albert Einstein’s birth.

Stipulations of observations requiring points and frames of reference fired my imagination.

I planted my perceptual feet and established my point of view.

Looking through a custom frame of reference, I asked my question.

Since then, I’ve spent far too much time trying to explain (typically in vain).

Think of reality (or any portion thereof) as an irregularly shaped, three-dimensional object.

Each of us perceives this object from an ever-changing set of coordinates in the surrounding space (our evolving personal perspective).

What do we (you and I) see?

Because we didn’t first establish a common point of reference, we most likely perceived different portions of the irregularly shaped, three-dimensional object.

And because we didn’t establish a common frame of reference, we may have focused on different qualities.

In any case, outside of the scientific method, the perceptual experience is so subjective, and our language is so contextual, that it is virtually impossible to put our respective observations into words and have any assurance that we’ve successfully communicated.

I like Virgil’s workaround.

They can, because they think they can.

When I find my personal perspective out of whack, I try to take Einstein’s advice to heart and climb back to my own point of reference.

Life had never made much sense to me.

From my own point of view, I looked at the world and asked, “What is real?”

My frame of reference was: It’s real, if it seems to be (and continues to seem to be) real.

It’s obvious in retrospect; looking for myself was once my way (009).

Of course, much of what I perceive is nonsense to others.

Hanging on to hard-won observations is quite often a struggle.

What is real?

What a rush!

Write it down.

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Context: Simple tools to bridge perceptual chasms.

Fun Fact: Seeming things need sifting.

Featured Image: The precept can also be applied to nations (and civilizations).

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