Tuesday, February 12, 2008

And low... you will hear the truth and it will be a drag...


Well, sometimes you come across the right article at the right time. I would love to give a link to this, truely. But it is not yet up on the Esquire site, and so you will have to wait for the full wisdom, but let me quote the beginnings of a truely eye-opening article.
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The Endorsement: Self-Delusion

Of all the overrated things in the world - sex on the beach, John Updike - the most overrated is the Truth. The Truth has its uses, yes, but it should be approached with extreme caution. Especially when dealing with self-knowledge, the Truth can be a soul-sapping drag.

My love of delusion crystallized when I learned about a psychological theory called depressive realism. This holds that the people with the most accurate view of the world are the clinically depressed. Studies show they have a correct perception of how much they control the outcome of events - namely, very little.

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Self-delusion is not a defense mechanism or coping technique. It's the most human thing we have. It's faith, existential courage, essential to mixing a decent drink, loving our spouse, writing a sentence. It's what separates us from the animals and the boring.

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It goes on, but I leave it to you to read if you want. There are some of us (you know who you are) that need to rip it out of the Esquire and post it on our bathroom mirrors. If you can't afford the US Esquire, it is on Page 69 at your local news agent.
Read it. Live it. And stop moping around (that last bit is for me).