The importance of being together

Like many of you, I am hooked on Chief Inspector Gemache stories by Louise Penny.   People seem to get murdered at a pretty brisk rate in Quebec, especially in and around Three Pines, where the stories take place.  Penny is a good story teller, and Gemache's character draws the reader in, sharing in his interviews with all the suspects in any particular situation as he sorts through the truths they tell, and the lies, getting at the underlying motivations for murder, to find the murderer.

As I was considering our topic for Friday's meeting (tomorrow!!) I was thinking about how Gemache notices all the little nuances of facial expression, voice intonation, hesitations, voice volumes, etc., as he asks his questions and the suspects answer them.  He assesses each answer as being true or not, based on these clues, subtle and silent.  Sifting through them, ultimately he will find the killer, and will bring the killer to justice (usually after a complete confession as well, by the way).

It occurred to me that this is really the basis of the connections we feel when we meet together in person.  Communicating in writing is too formal and you get very little in the way of body language "tells" when all you see are the words.  Video is better since we can see each other's faces and hear their voices, but there is still a frame around the connection making it more like TV than person-to-person.  Only when we are together, sharing the same space, can we get the full picture of each other, the complete sights and sounds, shuffling feet, tapping fingers, faint smells and sounds that only personal closeness can impart.

In the Gemache series I am reading "The Beautiful Mystery" which takes place in an Abbey where 24 monks live (now 23), singing their faith as Gregorian Chants, while under a Vow of Silence.  In this environment where the spoken word is not allowed, gestures and facial expressions take the place of words, magnifying their meanings and importance.  Will Gemache get to the bottom of the murder?  I hope so.

<Des>  What is body language, and should we trust what we think we learn from it?

<Bard>  Body language is a form of nonverbal communication that involves the use of physical behaviors to convey information. These behaviors can include facial expressions, eye contact, posture, gestures, and the use of space. Body language can be used to express emotions, convey messages, and establish relationships.

It is important to note that body language can be ambiguous and can be interpreted in different ways by different people. For example, a smile can be interpreted as a sign of happiness, but it can also be interpreted as a sign of nervousness or deception. It is important to consider the context in which body language is being used when interpreting it.

There are a number of benefits to understanding body language. For example, it can help you to:

• Understand the emotions of others: Body language can be a powerful tool for understanding the emotions of others. For example, if someone is avoiding eye contact and fidgeting, they may be feeling anxious or uncomfortable.
• Build stronger relationships: Body language can help you to build stronger relationships with others. For example, making eye contact and smiling can show that you are interested in what someone is saying.
• Be more persuasive: Body language can help you to be more persuasive. For example, standing up straight and making eye contact can make you appear more confident and credible.

While there are many benefits to understanding body language, it is important to remember that it should not be used as the sole basis for interpreting someone's thoughts or feelings. It is important to consider the context in which body language is being used and to combine it with other forms of communication, such as verbal cues and tone of voice.

Here are some tips for interpreting body language:

• Pay attention to the whole body: Don't just focus on one part of the body. Look at the person's entire body language to get a better sense of what they are communicating.
• Consider the context: Body language can be interpreted differently in different contexts. For example, a smile can be interpreted as a sign of happiness in a social setting, but it can also be interpreted as a sign of nervousness in a job interview.
• Be aware of your own biases: We all have our own biases when it comes to interpreting body language. For example, if you have had a negative experience with someone who is fidgeting, you may be more likely to interpret fidgeting as a sign of deception. Be aware of your own biases and try to interpret body language objectively.

With a little practice, you can learn to interpret body language and use it to your advantage in your personal and professional life.  <end Bard>

Reality: Objective or Subjective?

Last week I used an outline provided by Bard the AI that listed what I called the Table of Contents for many of the popular philosophy books I have on my shelf written for a general audience.  By this I meant that Bard listed the key questions that philosophers have thought about and answered in different ways over the years (millennia), and which form the base of classic philosophy.  They are listed in the blog entry below, so I won't list them here again.  

When the group that joined our discussion group attempted to find a single topic to discuss, it was a struggle.  They are all important questions, and having them all sitting there, right in front of everyone, it was a bit overwhelming.   The thread of the conversation wandered over the mental landscape, rich with possibilities and dripping with low hanging fruit.  Who could possibly land on only one and be satisfied?  It reminded me of the classic sales conundrum: do you sell extensively (to many people, spending only a little time on each and playing the numbers game) or intensively (sell to only a few people, spending a lot of time to really get to know them and their needs)?  Clearly the list Bard provided welcomed the approach that required only the most casual contact with the ideas.

For this week's topic I have selected one topic, and just one, to delve into with more content and introspection.  What if we were to talk about the Nature of Reality in an intensive way?  Really dig into it, pull up examples of both the subjective and objective sides of the argument, and see if we can't find the flaws in the thinking that has come before?  Can it really be possible that this topic actually has 2 opposed perspectives that are mutually exclusive that cannot be disproved or definitively proved, one way or the other?  That sounds crazy!  We are talking about Reality here, something we deal with every day, all day long, with huge consequences in our lives, and we don't even know what it is?  How can that be?

Reality is Subjective:  Reality is determined by each of us and is defined by us.  What we think it is, it is.  It changes, and in fact, is always changing.

Reality is Objective:   Reality exists in a fundamental form that is separate from our perception of it.  Reality, in some way, is based on an ultimate and underlying Truth, immutable and permanent.

So, there are definitions of Reality that are as different as they can be, but both are viable and vehemently held by very deep thinkers, indeed.  Who is right?  Are they both right?

So I asked Bard (of course):

<Des>  What is the nature of reality?  Is it subjective, or ultimately objective?

<Bard>  The nature of reality is a question that has been debated by philosophers for centuries. There are two main schools of thought on this issue:

Subjectivism: Reality is subjective, meaning that it is created by the individual mind. This is the view that our perceptions of reality are filtered through our own personal experiences and biases, and that there is no one objective reality that everyone experiences in the same way.

Objectivism: Reality is objective, meaning that it exists independently of the individual mind. This is the view that there is a single, objective reality that everyone experiences in the same way, regardless of their personal experiences or biases.

There is no easy answer to the question of whether reality is subjective or objective. There is evidence to support both sides of the argument. For example, studies have shown that our perceptions of reality can be influenced by our emotions, our expectations, and our cultural background. However, there are also many things in the world that we all seem to experience in the same way, such as the laws of physics.

Ultimately, the question of whether reality is subjective or objective is a matter of personal belief. There is no scientific evidence that can definitively prove or disprove either side of the argument.

Here are some additional thoughts on the nature of reality:

Reality is not static. It is constantly changing and evolving.

Reality is not always what it seems. Our perceptions of reality can be distorted by our emotions, our expectations, and our cultural background.

Reality is not always objective. It can be influenced by our personal biases and experiences.

Reality is not always easy to understand. It can be complex and mysterious.

Despite all of these challenges, it is important to try to understand the nature of reality. This is because our understanding of reality shapes our thoughts, our actions, and our lives.