Reality Isn't Strange—Our Expectations Are
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Chapter 1: Understanding Reality
The most puzzling aspect of reality is how ordinary it truly is. Allow me to elaborate.
When Isaac Newton unveiled the laws of gravity in the 17th century, it marked a significant shift in the understanding of the cosmos. Prior to his findings, it was commonly believed that celestial bodies moved through space in a “natural” manner without an explanation for their behavior.
We often think that Newton transformed our grasp of reality, enhancing our comprehension of the universe. However, the underlying principles governing the cosmos did not change with his discoveries. Gravity was always a force at play, regardless of our awareness. While Newton enriched our perspective on reality, the universe had functioned according to its laws for billions of years before him and continued to do so after his passing.
The same transformation occurred when Albert Einstein introduced his theories. He posited that Newtonian physics was merely a fragment of a broader framework, leading to the development of general relativity. This paradigm shift further evolved our understanding of reality, yet fundamentally, nothing about the fabric of reality itself altered. It has always been governed by general relativity, at least as understood in contemporary times.
Chapter 1.1: The Nature of Expectations
I remind myself of this concept whenever I find reality perplexing. In truth, reality is not bizarre; it only appears so because we perceive it through the filter of human consciousness, which has its own biases and tendencies. Our expectations, shaped by personal experiences and logical reasoning, color our understanding.
For instance, if I toss a baseball toward you, I anticipate it to follow a predictable trajectory and land in your glove. If you return the throw, I expect the same outcome. Our observations help us formulate a coherent view of reality, making it hard to fathom a scenario where the ball behaves differently.
However, if we were to throw that baseball in the upper reaches of Earth's atmosphere, everything shifts. Suddenly, our expectations lose their validity, creating a sense of strangeness. We might exchange astonished glances as we wait for the ball to return to our hands after what feels like an eternity.
Yet, does reality become any less real in that context? No, it remains constant and ever-present. Our shattered expectations merely create the illusion that reality has shifted. The truth is, it is our understanding that is askew.
Why do we insist on interpreting reality through the lens of logic? Why do we seek patterns in phenomena where none may exist? Why do we impose cause-and-effect frameworks on every concept we encounter?
Is it an insatiable curiosity? Or perhaps it’s an element of arrogance? Regardless, it’s evident that we harbor a deep desire to confine reality within the boundaries of our comprehension. When faced with the unknown, we strive to make it understandable; "I don't know" is less acceptable than "I will find out."
This drive to rationalize reality leads to misplaced certainty. When we uncover gaps in our knowledge, we feel compelled to fill them immediately. This urgency to define reality can result in rigid expectations of how it should manifest.
Consider the historical instances where figures like Galileo were persecuted for their revolutionary ideas, or how Joseph Lister’s plea for antiseptics was dismissed. Those who resisted change could not envision a reality as unconventional as that proposed by these thinkers.
Ultimately, it is not reality that is strange; it is our expectations of it.
Chapter 1.2: Perception of the Strange
With all this in mind, what occurs when we perceive reality as peculiar? When I delve into quantum physics, the initial thoughts that surface are often “strange” or “absurd.” There’s a surprise element, whether I intend for it to arise or not.
I frame this experience as falling into one of two categories:
- I haven’t invested the effort to grasp it fully, or
- Reality is beyond the scope of human understanding, leaving me with a sense of gratitude.
Most often, I find myself in the first category. Quantum mechanics seems odd primarily because I haven’t engaged deeply enough to recognize its validity. My surprise stems from a lack of alignment with my understanding of truth.
In some instances, I may land in the second category. However, to assert that something is truly beyond human comprehension, I must ascertain that no one else has unraveled it.
A classic example is the Big Bang theory. While the origins of the universe remain elusive, this theory has gained acceptance in the scientific community, despite the absence of definitive proof. The Big Bang appears strange, but it’s only because it doesn’t fit neatly into our established models of reality.
Yet reality itself finds nothing unusual about it.
Regardless of how the universe originated, I can state with absolute certainty:
I am profoundly grateful it did.
The mere fact that I exist today, equipped with senses, engaging in this writing, surrounded by loved ones, and savoring the delightful apple on my plate… all of these blessings stem from some extraordinary occurrence that transpired eons ago. Instead of seeking answers to resolve its complexity, I choose to embrace it and appreciate the gift of life.
Reality may seem highly intricate, but this intricacy arises from the countless shades through which we perceive it. In essence, reality itself possesses a singular quality: omnipresence. It exists independently of our awareness, and when we uncover something “new,” we are merely updating our limited knowledge while its fundamental essence remains unchanged.
We face two choices: either adapt our understanding of the world or express gratitude for what remains beyond human grasp. These are the only avenues available when confronting the notion that reality is never strange.
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