Points of Perspective

I read this quote somewhere recently, and it got me thinking. It says, “I don’t even argue with people anymore because I start to realize that everybody only understands from their level of perception. So now, even if [you say] 2+2=10, you’re right.”

We all know them: The smart-asses who have to be right about everything. These self-aggrandizing people can do no wrong, and whatever they say goes. There will be no discussion—and if there were, it would fall on deaf ears. But, as this quote above shows, maybe we are all the jerks! Now, hear me out…

We all spend a lot of time thinking we’re right, but perception is everything. Let me bring another example of my thought process on this: We’ve all seen those ambiguous drawings, where there are two images you can “find,” and it all depends on the person viewing it as to which image they will see first. The most famous of these is probably the one depicting an old lady one way you look at it and a beautiful young woman the other. The same idea applies to the classic gold dress, blue dress image that went viral a few years ago. 

The thing is, in these cases, while both images are technically there, and when people are adamant they see one way or the other, they aren’t lying. Each individual is telling the truth— THEIR truth as they see it—which brings me to my point. 

It’s all about perception, which is defined by Webster’s dictionary as “the way you think about or understand someone or something.” The description goes on to say that perception inherently ties to what we each can sense, specifically attributing it as an “awareness of the elements of environment through physical sensation.” So, it’s subjective, based on what we see, feel, etc.—and how we make judgments based on those sensory experiences (our formed perception). Basically, perception is based on reality—our reality.

Why is Perception Different Based on Reality?

Here is where I want to discuss the age-old question—“Is the glass half empty or half full?” The answer to this depends on where we are viewing things from, with your perspective being skewed mostly upon whether you tend to veer toward optimism or pessimism in your outlook. The school of thought here is that those with more positive views on life, in general, will instantly see the glass as being half full, while their more negative types will lean toward seeing the glass as being half empty. 

There are pros and cons to both negative and positive perception, and we need to be aware of our bias in perception in all situations—personal, workplace, etc. Why? Because perception becomes reality, or what you manifest, in many ways.

The Difference Between Thinking You Are Right and Actually Being Right 

Admittedly, some people and things are just wrong. We have unfortunately seen this firsthand in 2021, with endless tirades of people believing they are right and spreading misinformation about everything from the virus to vaccines to politics and more. And regardless of what side of recent events you’re on, there is misinformation on both ends, which leads me to my next question: When is perception actually wrong and damaging? 

A fascinating occurrence known as the Dunning-Kruger effect pertains directly to this subject. The Dunning-Kruger effect is a type of cognitive bias where people believe themselves far smarter and capable than they are. This overestimation of their abilities is most often attributed to their lack of self-awareness and low cognitive ability. It’s like they just can’t help themselves. So, what is to be done?

Is it Possible to Open or Change Perception?

The question becomes: Should we always try to open or change perception(s) when they concern factually wrong things? This is a very relevant and important discussion since it’s inevitable—especially at work—that you will meet people who are wrong. So, what do you do? You can’t avoid it, but you can control how you adapt and see others’ perspectives. This will help life go more smoothly for you. But I know it’s not as easy as snapping your fingers. 

However, according to some studies, changing attitudes and perceptions can be as easy as choosing to change the way you look at things, and maybe there is some truth to that. I believe there is something to be said about continuous learning and consistently hearing what other people have to say. In fact, I wrote an article not too long ago about the importance of continuous learning, which further supports this statement and the benefits of surrounding yourself with new people and trying new things—both of which are never bad things.

Final Thoughts

Seeing eye to eye with everyone has never been easy—or even possible. We are all imperfect humans, after all. But hopefully, after reading this article, you can see more how we can all be the asshole who simply isn’t willing to open our eyes and ears to a new perspective. And then avoid that faux pas by being empathetic, listening more, and considering others’ viewpoints. 

As for when the views are clearly factually inaccurate? (Like 2+2 actually equals 4, not 10), whether you choose to die on that particular hill is entirely up to you.