Thomas Sowell, in his book Intellectuals and Society, speaks of the “optional reality in the media and academia.” This is his way of describing their unique world and life viewpoint which slips into the media’s and history’s designation of events or omits events and facts that are not favorable to their view. In describing the lack of information in print, particularly in Russia and India he writes, “The crucial factor does not seem to be what information is available but the predisposition-the view- with which intellectuals approach the available information whether information about nations or individuals” (p.140). Sowell believes it is not so much the information or lack of it that determines the content of what we read but the world and life viewpoint of the writer. The sad thing is that most journalists believe they are being totally objective and would resent the inference that their writing is slanted.
Intellectuals control or try to control the medial and education, hence control the public. They consider us the unwashed masses, to be ignorant children, who need to be led around by a parent who knows what is best for them. We in chiropractic need to confront that world viewpoint with information, knowledge and most important, a rational, logical ADIO perspective of the world.
Hey Joe, lets face it, optional reality is a basic human condition. Who was it that said “we don’t see the world as it is, we see it as we are”? It was not that long ago that the church held all the info as well as the ability to read and write. Now the media is in a large part owned by business men who want to support their incomes. As for history, well history is written by the victors. INFORMATION IS POWER.
We have also witnessed this phenomenon right here on this blog, some people run every thought through their religious beliefs and filter every word in or out by that perspective.
But tell me this, do you not see nearly all human dysfunctions as having a neural component? I know I sometimes have to remind myself and my patients some problems are not related to chiropractic. The ADIO viewpoint does not cover all the bases, as we have agreed, some OIBU things are good too.
I guess my point is this, we do it too.
The best treatment of this subject I have seen is “The Structure of Scientific Revolutions” by Thomas Kuhn. It is a review of how psycho-social and socioeconomic pressure has steered the full history Western Civilization’s use of “science.” Since science split with the church over geocentrism a few hundreds years ago, they have gone their separate ways, and in many ways, my opinion, very much to the detriment of both.( though Steve likes it this way).
Hey Eric, do you really want to go back and praise god for making us (the earth) the center of the universe? Lets face it, science steers some away from religion and some toward it, maybe it’s not the science.
Steve,
Actually you jump to the wrong conclusion on this one – I would agree that religion is at fault when it comes to geocentrism. Not God, or even the Bible for that matter, but religion – yes. I will however admit that the dwarf chained to the sink in my basement does believe that the sun revolves around the earth.
Steve, All function has a neural component…we cannot function without the nerve system. But not all function involves the cord, spinal column and chiropractic.
Can you name me a”base” that is not covered by the ADIO viewpoint? True, incarceration of criminals may be and often is necessary but it only treats the symptom, changing hearts is what is needed. Surgery may be needed and lifesaving but it is not restoring health. Government welfare is outside-in,taking from me to give to someone who may or may not even need/deserve it. Charity, helping your fellow man out of love for humanity (what charity means) is ADIO. The government may have to help some people.But it denies people the opportunity to express charity and makes the recipient think it is an entitlement not a gift. Outside-in procedures always have harmful side-effects.
Hey Joe, you said, “Can you name me a”base” that is not covered by the ADIO viewpoint?” How about Chiropractic? Since we have established there can be no innate to innate communication, the application of an adjustment is a learned behavior. We create a universal force to give to the patient (OIBU) and “hope” their innate can transform it to a useful force to adjust the neuroskeletal system. Although our reasoning is ADIO the process is not. Language is also OIBU as is mathematics and dare I say religion. And wouldn’t receiving charity be OIBU, not “always” bad.
Steve, the ADIO viewpoint is just that, a way of thinking. It has nothing to do with action/activity except in the sense that all activity is preceded by thought. Fortunately innate activities do not need thought or our part, ii does the thinking. We often say “I did that without thinking” but that’s incorrect, you cannot act without thinking. You can act without thinking properly, rationally or without using you W&L viewpoint but it is still based on thought. A “learned behavior adjustment” is preceded by “educated thought” and necessitates a perspective or viewpoint. That’s why we can say you can give an HIO adjustment to correct a VS to allow the ii of the body to be more fully expressed and that’s ADIO…or you can give an HIO adjustment to relieve a headache and that’s OIBU. It’s never the act that matters, it’s always the intent.
It’s NEVER about WHAT!
It’s ALWAYS about WHO !
Steve, “optional reality” may be a basic human condition but it is self delusion and self deception. When you can lie to yourself, it is easier to lie to others.
Joe, optional reality can also be a filter or defense mechanism. It is what it is and as most things can be used for good or bad.
Steve, truth, ADIO and reality are absolutes.There are no alternatives or options. We can delude ourseves and call it a defense mechnanism but that does not make it good or right.
Yes Joe reality is absolute but our perception is tainted by experience, filtered by our W/L view and influenced by emotion. Perception, interpretation, reaction can be very individualized. Therefore our concept of reality is always subjective to some degree. I’m not saying it (history/media/education) isn’t manipulated for power and profit, just that we all color our world accordingly.
Hey Thanks for putting me up there with ADIO, truth and reality but I’m not so sure I’m always absolute.
Does anyone know enough Latin to convert “reader beware”? (or listener, viewer, receiver, consumer)
CAVEAT AUDIENS
Thanks Claude
Steve, truth, ADIO and reality are absolutes! WOW!!!
I just had to type this myself!
It’s not a triune… it’s a tetrad!!! 😉
Hey Claude,
I’m not sure I agree, but I like the way you think.
Can I assume CAVEAT AUDIENS means observer beware? If so then this is appropriate in that as an observer we must be aware of the true message being received as well as our natural bias when interpreting.
Steve,
CAVEAT AUDIENS means LISTENER BEWARE.
CAVEAT OBSEVATEUR means OBSERVER BEWARE.