"PERCEPTION AND REALITY", my talk at AT&T Bell Labs, in a special Speakers Forum, on 1991 November 1

[Thirumala Raya Halemane]

"PERCEPTION AND REALITY", my talk at AT&T Bell Labs, in a special Speakers Forum, on 1991 November 1

In the 20 viewgraph images here, we see, my talk on "PERCEPTION AND REALITY", at AT&T Bell Labs, in a special Speakers Forum, on 1991 November 1

The role and significance of Perception vs Reality are discussed. Causes and issues with distorted or wrong perceptions, and how to correct them are also examined.

Individual Perceptions, Group Perceptions, and Social Perceptions are mentioned. 

Social Perceptions can be different in different groups, and it is possible for those with power and influence, including hidden invisible deep state elements, to manufacture such differences for good or for bad or for evil purposes, and keep tweaking them also, for maintaining divide-and-rule scenario, say. 

The modern era high technology with peoples and cultures inter-mixing more freely in a worldwide global fashion has put a big dent in such scenarios, bringing things back into context and better outlook, to the most part. The tremendous advances in communications and transport makes this possible. 

The global youth can and needs to continue to play a strong active positive role in this for the corrections to past evils to get solidified and proceed towards better future vision, and not worsen in other undesirable ways, as if like in a pendulum swinging back and forth between extremes. 

Although usually Reality leads with Perception following it, sometimes it is possible for Reality to follow Perception, for example, in visionary leadership situations involving psychology or behavior transformations in followers, "Change Perceptions and Create New Reality" is possible, for temporary or long-term effects, for creating good andor for bad impacts

It is also a complex topic where many layers of realities, perceptions and philosophical meanings are possible, and may even can co-exist simultaneously. In that sense, this is a limited discussion. limited to the kind of stuff that we may perhaps encounter in our daily lives etc

Also mentioned are "Scientific" and "Statistical" type theories. Those theories based purely on statistical type observations and perceptions based on them, can involve mis-guided or deceptive or deliberate or wrong use of statistics, can be totally false, problematic, even evil, needing to be dismantled later. 

For example, in the past, there were strong such false perceptions, including, "blacks are less intelligent", "women are not inclined towards or are not good in maths, science and engineering", "women are less intelligent than men", "Asians are not good in management", "Asians are good in technical subjects", "men are not sensitive", "whites are racists", "Asians think in circles", "blacks are good in the physical and in sports" etc, 

It is a great thing that we have moved forward in good ways regarding most of these false perceptions, at least in some ways, although the residue or negative effects baggage from the past still lingers.  

Higher level factors that can affect our perceptions, other than the mind and the physical, like for example involving spiritual types, dvaitha - advaitha - vishishtaadwaitha - maaya, divinity etc are not included here 

The need for Managing Perceptions, Managing Reality, Managing Expectations, is mentioned, and a Thumb-Rule to follow, namely give the benefit of doubt for the first time, is suggested.

Perception has more importance in some areas, like Movies & Entertainment, and in some immediate or short-term objectives. 

And, Reality is needed in areas like Science and Engineering, and for long-term objectives, for universal acceptance etc.

"Perception is Everything" philosophy is not okay, not acceptable, not possible, not universally valid, and such notions have contributed significantly to the continuation of many evil practices like racism, discrimination etc

Laws and Social Practices based on Accepted Perceptions that are really wrong lead to institutionalized discriminations and evils that are very hard to overcome.

  

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