Facts are true
Hello there, George here, and I think it's about time that I can start a post. Especially this one: facts are true. Simple as that. You can doubt them but it will only end up hurting you!
“Facts are true” sound like a perfect mantra, like a simple truth behind any logic, and like an effectively short pitch to stick. And yes, any science is basically rooted in the concept of facts. Find them, acknowledge them, and deduct your options based upon them.
Just don't fight facts! ... wait a second? Do we actually agree this time? If so, I want to have the first say in more posts!
How could I disagree with “facts are true”? That would be a rather futile endeavour. But don't walk away just yet, I plan to investigate the little cracks in the statement, the... blurry imprecision of the statement. Oh come on, we had such a good run here! Simple, short, effective! So, what is a “fact” then?
Maybe as a first disclaimer: I am not touching the “alternative facts” crap. A proven fact is a proven fact until disproved. I believe in science and its methods and this is not a political post. Great, now you used the term alternative facts and those nutters can soon find your blog via Google. They will send you hate!
Humans are incredibly fast in believing something to be a fact. And I mean it literally: We believe something to be a fact. Yes, I am going to add now the obligatory “important for survival” statement: Our brain would overload if we had to question EVERYTHING at EVERY moment. Our head would simply implode. Instead, we assume some things as facts, and base the observation of the remaining situation and the decision-making on those assumptions. And for survival, taking an assumption as fact is most often close enough. We start losing the game when we lack (or religiously refuse) a re-evaluation of our assumptions.
Rule #1: Don't make assumptions. Rule #2: If you make assumptions, be fully aware of what you assume.
We are trained by society that facts are true, that as intelligent beings, science can guide us making decisions. That's all fair and well, unless we confuse facts with assumptions.
This week, I looked into the mirror. And I heard myself saying “Well, I'm just not a sporty person.” Not a new statement, to be fair, I've been saying it for years. Because you haven't been sporty in all this time. Fact. More like an assumption, really. The fact would be that “at this current moment, I don't perceive myself as sporty as I would like to be.” Too long. And boring. And complicated. You're not a sporty person. See? Simple! Now let's have a slice of pizza. Or just the entire pizza.
If you keep telling yourself that the current perception/assumption is a fact, you deny yourself any chance of change. “I am not an XYZ person” turns to “I will never be an XYZ person” and the bear trap snaps shut.
“Facts are true” does not mean “Facts don't change!” Re-evaluate your assumptions, check your facts. They might hold true, they might not. But the mental exercise of probing that will keep your mind fit and your attitude flexible.
Next time I step in front of the mirror and I look at myself, I re-evaluate my assumptions and I can proudly say “Well, I don't see myself as overly sporty right now. And if that bothers me, I can come up with a plan to change it. And in any case, I could have a slice of that pizza right now.”
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