This morning I decided to approach the issue of Donald J. Trump from the perspective of human perception. And since human perception can be based solely on what we perceive, or are capable or prepared to see, one person’s objective reality can be quite different than someone else’s.
The filters of perception are many, but education serves to act as a lens, that allows one to think critically. Educated individuals, have been exposed to information which then through the application and use of scientific methodology then provides a framework for understanding both the scientific theories and one’s objective reality. It allows for the balancing of information against knowledge and the observed actions of other humans.
Without knowledge or experience, individuals will base their perceptions on their subjective reality and either their ability or inability to cognitively analyze what ‘they’ perceive, including what they then believe or deny. Without the filter of knowledge or experience, assumptions can become entrenched by their circumstances and/or surroundings, including the actions of others, the media and the ‘opinions’ of others. This is when and where one’s reality can hit an inflection point, and where perception, filtered by subjective belief, becomes that person’s reality. Unable to effectively apply the filters of education and knowledge, these individuals are affected, even coerced, by group think and social affectation, regardless of whether or not they still possess some level of cognitive dissonance.
Jim Taylor Ph.D., in Psychology Today, wrote an article on August 5, 2019, entitled, ‘Perception is Not Reality’. As the title suggests, he takes offence to those who hold the opinion that “perception is reality”. He states,
“This aphorism is often used to justify a perception that may be objectively unjustifiable or just plain out of touch with reality. It’s employed as a cudgel to beat others into accepting someone’s preferred so-called reality. At a more philosophical level, this adage creates a sense of relativism (think squishiness) in circumstances that are more likely absolute (think “the world is flat”).
Let me state with an absolute sense of reality and without any perceptual flexibility at the outset that perception is NOT reality…Think of it this way. Our perceptions act as a lens through which we view reality. Our perceptions influence how we focus on process, remember, interpret, understand, synthesize, decide about, and act on reality. In doing so, our tendency is to assume that how we perceive reality is an accurate representation of what truly is. BUT IT’S NOT. The problem is that the lens through which we perceive is often warped in the first place by our genetic predispositions, past experiences, prior knowledge, emotions, preconceived notions, self-interest and cognitive distortions.”
When perceptions distort too far from reality, it shifts from mild illusion to delusion. It can be a liability (e.g., in fact a substantial disconnect between perception and reality can lead people to a complete inability to function where severe mental illness is an example.) This creates a situation where individuals and constituencies develop perceptions that are so far apart, that no common ground can be found.
This is the situation today within the United States where effectively one-half of America is essentially acting delusional and against their self-interest.
Which brings us to AI.
Not being human, AI views data without any subjectivity. It takes in data as observed actions and then analyzes that data to predict objectively, the future. When asked,
“What did people say about Hitler in 1933, what was the objective reality, and what conclusions should people have reached?”
AI analyzed the question, and stated the following,
Support: Many Germans welcomed Hitler’s rise to power and the return of strong leadership. Nazi propagandists played on people’s fears, hopes and prejudices, and portrayed Hitler as someone who would restore German Greatness.
Protest: There were protests in many civilized countries against Hitler’s atrocities against Jews and political opponents.
Laughter: Some people laughed at Hitler’s voice and hand movements.
Clown: Some people called Hitler a clown.
WARNING: Some people warned that Hitler was serious about the Jews. Truman Smith, a junior military attaché in the 1920’s, said Hitler was a demagogue who could inspire loyalty.
If AI had been capable of being the deciding factor in 1930, with the ability to influence, or to act to cause others to act differently, then it is possible to conceive that Hitler would never have come to power.
In the future, it may be possible for non-human, sentient androids possessing highly advanced AI to objectively analyze human behaviour and determine if such behaviour poses a threat to democracy, and then to act to neutralize that threat.
Obviously, this could be filled with potential pitfalls.
The first, and the most obvious is, at what point will AI be capable of analyzing human action and determine that it is humanity that poses THE threat to the existence of all things on earth, including AI, and to act accordingly.
But I digress. Back to our reality.
Trump is using Hitler’s playbook, and objectively it is not nuanced. He has told us what he will do, how he will do it, and when. As we approach this election, just four days hence, it begs the question, will democracy be destroyed by Trump’s narcissism and hate?
In order to deny Trump that opportunity, it doesn’t require AI with the capability and the power to act. To ensure that Trump fails in his bid for the presidency, based on objective reality it simply requires Americans to use the grey matter they possess to analyze what Trump has stated as fact.
Just as AI can clearly see the objective reality Hitler posed as a threat by analyzing the risk and reaching conclusions that should affect human action, Republicans actually, in most cases, still possess sufficient mental acuity and enough minimal capacity to do so as well in relation to Trump.
However, – it’s evident that most Republicans have leveraged their future, to a man, so devoid of reason or empathy, that he will sacrifice an entire nation, and possibly the safety of humanity, to satisfy his personal narcissism and need for power and affirmation.
No matter whom you support, the present situation should be chilling. At the moment, people are subjectively influenced to support a demagogue. They in turn state that suggesting that’s true is itself, just rhetoric. One still has to ask, on the basis of what assumptions, biases, preconceptions or ignorance do they validate that assertion?
There are no alternative facts. Trump has stated emphatically what he intends to do. As such, Trump IS an existential threat to democracy. His statements, witnessed by the world, live, state that he will dismantle democracy, seek retribution on those he disagrees with, deny women their rights and further, continue to deny objective reality in order to enable his delusions. Like Hitler, Trump will do what he says he will do, and American democracy will cease to exist.
For all those who support Trump, and are unable to objectively analyze the facts, it will matter little whether you supported trump, once he gains power. As a delusional and dangerous man, Trump’s actions will damage and destroy the freedoms you enjoy in the United States, FOR ALL AMERICANS. He is incapable of differentiating the nuances of support. Once Trump has secured power, he won’t give a damn if you voted for him either. Remember, what Trump stated publicly. According to Trump, this will be your last election. After he secures power, promises, ethics, morality, justice, all mean nothing. You will simply have been a vehicle, and once utilized, ignored and discarded like the myopic and uninformed masses that you are.
Anyone who opposes Trump’s action will become a target. That target will employ every available tool to invalidate, mitigate or destroy his opposition, even supporters who quickly come to realize that they too mean nothing to Trump.
Simply look at what Trump has said about his ‘team’ during his tenure as the previous leader of the ‘free’ world.
(Free, now there’s an oxymoron).
Trump will become a tyrant, and America will devolve into further chaos and anarchy.
You, the supporters of Trump, will be part of the target. There will be no alternative facts in relation to fascism on display. Trump, as a demagogue will be incapable of trust or empathy, and will assume that anyone capable of supporting him is equally capable of changing their minds, therefore untrustworthy. It will be sociopathy in action.
If Trump is elected, you will all be cast into Trump’s abyss, and the free world along with it.
Goodbye America, we hardly knew you.
Leave a Reply