How many times have we been placed in uncomfortable situations, and in which ones can we confidently say that we had the knowledge we needed to exit the circumstance with grace? Sometimes, our minds take shortcuts when we need to work through complex problems so that we do not overburden ourselves— but when we start relying on ducking into the side alleys to get to the destination, we do not get a full perspective of what we are truly dealing with.
In this episode, Alexander McCaig and Jason Rigby discuss the harmful tendency to live lives within our little bubbles, comfort zones, and echo chambers. They point to how data can show us the ultimate truth and the objective reality—and why we need to start paying attention.
Right off the bat, Alexander and Jason kickstarted the discussion by comparing the function of our choices to the number line, with zero as the space where there is no value. The positives lie to the right dimension of zero, while the negatives make up the left dimension. This makes zero, as the middle point, an inter-dimension of sorts.
We choose to pivot one way or another when faced with difficult events and circumstances in life. However, we may not always have the full capacity to make the best informed choice. It is human nature to sit within our own comfort zones and echo chambers, because we like information that validates us and exchanges where we know what to do.
Our best solution lies in harnessing the power of data. Regardless of religion, political affiliation, or social class, data is capable of making us question the distorted lens we view reality with. We have the opportunity to hold ourselves responsible for our thought processes and interactions with the help of data, instead of continuing to live our lives in a passive manner.
It is difficult to face the reality that we may not be making the most out of our lives now. After all, procrastination is a natural human instinct.
“When you stagnate and you don’t afford yourself new catalysts. It’s like you’re working with the same old data set every single day. What’s there to be learned? The data sets [have] stopped.” Alexander explained.
We underestimate the power of an objective and apolitical observer in our lives, which is what data represents. It captures our thoughts, actions, and perceptions— even the ugly parts of us that are distorted. This could be caused by a subconscious adherence to tradition, lifestyle, beliefs, values, ignorance, and others.
These misconceptions affect our openness to other people. We may become upset because they do not follow the same thought processes or behavioral patterns we do. In the long term, it could isolate us from other people or communities because it feeds into an us versus them mentality.
A lack of self-awareness does not just have an impact on our quality of life, or the lives of those around us. We slowly become vulnerable to the whims of more influential figures, who do not have any qualms with exploiting the minorities and pandering to the needs of the masses for personal gain.
Since data represents the ultimate truth, we need to harness its power for ourselves. It can empower us to make better decisions on so many levels.
We deserve the truth and the ability to make better choices.
While the capacity to make better choices is a reward in and of itself, it can now be an opportunity to be financially compensated as well. The TARTLE marketplace is a way for us to earn from contributing to the ultimate truth. It is a platform that encourages us to be more collaborative over authentic information.
We are in need of tools and platforms that give us the opportunity to see beyond ourselves. It is time for us to take a step forward. Understanding the truth behind our circumstances gives us a glimpse of what is timeless, of the objective reality around all of us. We no longer need to think in abstractions or to bend over backwards to justify our emotions when we can be energized by what is present in the here and now.
What’s your data worth?
