We all live in our own reality tunnels.
The beliefs, experiences, media and ideas we consume carve grooves in our minds. Over time, they form the boundaries of how we perceive the world.
Two people can look at the same situation and see completely different things. Because they are peering out from different reality tunnels.
Politicians and pundits are in the business of building reality tunnels. They tell stories and promote narratives that, if repeated often enough, feel like the capital-T Truth to their followers. Step outside their tunnel, and suddenly that worldview seems crazy.
Brands also build reality tunnels. They tell us stories about who we are, what we want, and what will make us happy or cool.
Think different.
Just do it.
Have it your way.
Our social media feeds exemplify reality tunnels, algorithmically designed to show us more of what we already like and believe. They quietly reinforce our tunnel, post by post and click by click.
The most important thing is to be aware of our reality tunnels. To remember that how we see things is not necessarily how they are. Our tunnel is just one of many.
Meditation, travel, reading widely, and talking to people with different tunnels can help us stretch our perspective. It may feel uncomfortable, because it pushes against the edges of our tunnel. But that's how we grow.
The world is big and complex. There is more than one way to look at it. The more we can expand our reality tunnel—or even step outside it once in a while—the better we can understand each other and make sense of it all.
