I once thought the path to truth
was strictly objective.
But the more I see how things are,
the more I realize that the only route to what’s real
is one that acknowledges subjectivity —
sees the light and dark and dances in shades of grey.
To claim to prove something
one way or another with
absolute certainty
is a delusional endeavor.
Senses fail us, consistently.
And I find that a genuine grasp of reality
must embrace all possibilities,
must be open minded,
and willing to change in light of new evidence.
Facts can be told with bad intent,
just as lies told with sincerity can be redeeming.
Context is everything.
The most noble story
is one that conveys its uncertainty
by its own admission.
Garbage Notes:
As a writer of fiction, I spend a lot of time thinking about the nature of truth and reality. And back when I was a grad student, I worked on several research projects on the psychology of lying. So since then, not only have I realized how common it is for people to stretch the truth, but also how hard it can be sometimes to separate one’s own perception of events from the actual events themselves.
So this poem is one of my older pieces where I was reflecting on the perilous pursuit of one objective truth. I’m reflecting on the idea that subjectivity is probably the more interesting and fruitful concept. It’s the place where we as imperfect humans should find ourselves more comfortable than we are.
Everyone has their own opinions. Everyone has their own perspectives and experiences that will influence the way they perceive things. And to get to know a person’s truth, you really have to get to know them at a deeper level. And that takes time and understanding and patience. We also have to accept that we will often be wrong about other people, and that’s fine.
The part of the poem that stands out to me now—the last few lines: context is everything. We must acknowledge our inherent limitations. We must confront our own biases and embrace our own unique and subjective perception of the world. And perhaps most importantly, we must not be so prideful as to think we are right about everything. Uncertainty is okay. Shades of gray, ambiguity—these things are okay.
Franco Amati 2023
Context is everything - perfect to scrawl on a notepad to post on my mirror! Thanks
I think the only truth we can know is our own , and even then can we be sure.
I know that mine shifts and changes a lot. Great thought provoking piece.