The concept refers to the narratives and beliefs we create about ourselves, others, and the world around us. These stories can shape our perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors. And furthermore, how these perceptions and beliefs materialize in our lives.
It is election year in two of the world’s biggest democracies India and the US and there is no better time to unleash the spiel that dances in our head. There are multiple stories running between our ears and a lot of them are invented, planted, coerced or some might be voluntarily accepted as you gracefully offer room for it.
But as we absorb it, use it, misuse it, we have to remain cognisant of the fact that all these narratives do come with caveats, that there are many a loose end and it is better not to miss the wood for the trees. Distill the myth from the reality- your presumed role in the world versus the actual role you play. It is all a shortcut- so, we have to be mindful of the fact that the map is not the territory. Information is not knowledge and knowledge is not wisdom; just like education is not learning.
The sensible thing to be is to be agile and alert about the spin doctoring and backtrack where warranted to change the story especially if it is polarising, intimidating, untrue, misleading and not serving the human cause.
It is a post truth world. The more we recognise it, the better.