It's also a discussion I have been increasing having with my fellow Liberals, Lefties, Progressive, their apparent polar opposites, and indeed myself (I keep needing reminding that I too often present as a cosmic schmuck - another of R.A.W's techniques for breaking out of reality tunnels).
"‘reality’ is always plural and mutable".
Or as Ken Campbell reputedly told his daughter:
"Now Listen Daisy, Don’t believe in anything — nothing which is the product of the human mind is a fitting subject for your belief — but you can suppose everything - and in fact you should. Supposing as much as possible is mind opening mind widening. Suppose God. Suppose flying saucers. Suppose fairies. I suppose you could suppose that one of the big religions had got it right – down to the last nut and bolt! But, Daisy. Don't believe it."
What we need as humans is an "uplink" type device akin to that used in the Matrix, a device that doesn't supply endless knowledge but instead enables us to take in accurately the viewpoint/emotions of others. That, or we need to evolve beyond our craving to label and categorize everything we encounter. But then, I suppose our fiction might become rather dull if we didn't operate in a world with categories and binary conflict. Hah.
PS: I agree with your comment in the opening paragraph. I'm one of those who relish seeing how "professional" writers work, and Substack provides the best window from which to watch and learn.
Great advice for everyone, not just writers!
It's also a discussion I have been increasing having with my fellow Liberals, Lefties, Progressive, their apparent polar opposites, and indeed myself (I keep needing reminding that I too often present as a cosmic schmuck - another of R.A.W's techniques for breaking out of reality tunnels).
"‘reality’ is always plural and mutable".
Or as Ken Campbell reputedly told his daughter:
"Now Listen Daisy, Don’t believe in anything — nothing which is the product of the human mind is a fitting subject for your belief — but you can suppose everything - and in fact you should. Supposing as much as possible is mind opening mind widening. Suppose God. Suppose flying saucers. Suppose fairies. I suppose you could suppose that one of the big religions had got it right – down to the last nut and bolt! But, Daisy. Don't believe it."
This is a great piece of advice and a key essay relevant for today’s world.
But in the end, we all know that ‘reality doesn’t care what you believe,’ right?
A thoughtful and timely piece. It puts me in mind of one I read here on Substack a while ago about why we are all becoming "NPCs" in the game of life (Gurwinder: https://www.gurwinder.blog/p/why-you-are-probably-an-npc ).
What we need as humans is an "uplink" type device akin to that used in the Matrix, a device that doesn't supply endless knowledge but instead enables us to take in accurately the viewpoint/emotions of others. That, or we need to evolve beyond our craving to label and categorize everything we encounter. But then, I suppose our fiction might become rather dull if we didn't operate in a world with categories and binary conflict. Hah.
PS: I agree with your comment in the opening paragraph. I'm one of those who relish seeing how "professional" writers work, and Substack provides the best window from which to watch and learn.