A Fact of life.

Christmas is a strange time of year. It is a time when traditions and beliefs are really brought to the front of our lives. It always gets me thinking, it gives me a view of human behaviour that (as seems to be common place in my world), starts me thinking and questioning.

It's not that I have an opinion about whether or not Christmas is a good or bad thing, it has nothing to do with the religious connotations or commercial opportunities it just gets me asking why we as humans do what we do and believe what we believe.

So lets talk about what we believe.

Here is an analogy that came to mind as a result of Christmas this year that I'd be interested to get some opinions on.

As kids most of us are taught that once a year in December a rotund elderly man will make an appearance in our lives. He will bring joy, goodwill and if we are lucky and meet the criteria we may also receive gifts.

To a point I remember how that felt. The anticipation, the excitement of meeting Santa Claus, the amazement that I felt in believing that there were reindeer who could fly, endless presents and that it was possible for Santa to travel the entire world and visit every child, enter every home and all within one magical night.

I have a vivid memory, one of those memories that just stays with you from a period of life when most memories fade into the background. It was a large department store and a chance to meet with Santa. They had set things up so that the children and a parent where directed through a door into a dimly lit room where a sleigh sat in the shadows. It seated about 8. Once it was full stars appeared on the ceiling, the sleigh began to gently move, the room became colder and if you looked forward you could see the reindeer heads apparently pulling the sleigh through the night sky. After a minute it stopped. A door opened on the other side of the room and just like that we were ushered into Santas lounge room where we could meet him in person.

For me, at that time, it was so real. I felt no need to wonder how this had happened, or question the logistics or even consider that it might not be real. I wanted to experience what was happening without question.

So, what set me up to be so accomodating of this belief ?

My parents, who I respected, who knew so much more about everything than I did, had told me about Santa Claus, I trusted them. My peers at that age also believed and showed excitement and enthusiasm in regard to the existence of Santa. There were story books about him, everywhere I looked at that time of year I saw pictures of him and somehow he was also everywhere I went. I was immersed in Christmas and Santa. And of course while I believed in him there was the reality and promise of those presents to open on Christmas Day. But most of all it felt good to believe. I was part of something mystical, exciting and special, so I had no desire to not be included.

To even consider that was to risk missing out. In fact we were taught that any step that was taken to see Santa on Christmas Eve or question his authenticity could result in him passing me by, to be excluded, only to be included with the naughty children who received nothing.

To be honest, as I write this down it brings up a few moral questions too, but that will be a different blog for another day.

So, I've hopefully created a picture of the power and influence that wanting to believe something and wanting to believe in the people we trust and perhaps the fear of missing out can create. Yes, we are talking about children and yes they are gullible and trusting and easily mislead but here is the real question for me, are adults any less able to be influenced by those same things ?

Lets think about what we know. What are the facts and what defines a fact.

Again google defines a fact as the following.

fact /fakt/

noun

1. a thing that is known or proved to be true. "he ignores some historical and economic facts"

That sound reasonable, but google also tells us the following.

A fact is something that's indisputable, based on empirical research and quantifiable measures. Facts go beyond theories. They're proven through calculation and experience, or they're something that definitively occurred in the past. Truth is entirely different; it may include fact, but it can also include belief.

Hmmm, a bit contradictory.

Belief to me is the thing that can confuse the issue. I have also noticed that as humans we tend to make beliefs into facts way too often. Evolution is a great example of that. It was presented as Darwins "theory" of evolution and is full of loop holes, yet for many is accepted as a fact.

Second issue is that proving things is problematic too. We rely on what we already think we know and assume to be facts to prove the next thing. We also insist on having a "right" and "wrong". But our experience of life is limited by what we can sense. Ie. what our senses allow us to experience. Quantum science is already starting to challenge that and open new doors.

Would it be more accurate to say that we are able to reach a conclusion about whatever it is we are trying to prove, that is only a fact or true within the limits of the current constraints and that any of those may be wrong. In other words we don't really know much at all about life.

A flat earth is a simple example. At the time, with what was known and what was perceived and imagined, it was proven the the world had to be flat. It made sense and could be proven. So it was a fact.

Have we reached a point where we think we know everything ? Or if we as individuals don't then someone who an "expert" does.

Most of us would not believe that we have reached that point, so is it then our desire to want to believe in what for us makes us feel part of something bigger, or makes us feel safe and valued. Does the fear of changing our thinking dramatically stop us from looking at the reality of how things actually are and how there are so many other possibilities ?

Are we similar to the child believing in Santa Claus ?

The system we live in could be Santa, believe in it and meet the criteria and you will benefit. The yearly presents could be our bonuses, our material wealth. We want to believe because everyone is excited by the hype that goes along with our system. Everywhere we look we are encouraged that it is the best way. Our parents, peers, teachers all reassure us. The stipulation though is don't look too closely and don't question.

Are we afraid to miss out, fearful of being one of those non conformists who might then go without ?

Again I feel that there is so much more to this than I can get into the written word today. So much more to say and look into. Join in, ask questions. Create a discussion, nuture the seeds, remove the weeds.

I appreciate your time.