This article is classified "Fictional"
Reality can be a difficult topic to get your head round. This is one of
the fundamental problems that philosophers have tried to solve since
philosophers first philosophised.
Of course, doubts arising from an inexact understanding of the true nature
of reality do not concern all living creatures. Some seem content to carry
on their presumed existence without ever stopping to worry about whether or
not they actually exist; this might seem to be a complete waste of time to
those who are not properly following this topic, but this point of view can
be shown to be logically false.
The concept of reality can, and should, be split up into three critical
sub-divisions, which can help us analyse the whole thing more effectively.
These are:
Consensus Realities
===================
This is the reality that concerns us in everyday survival mode, assuming
that you are not currently being: abducted by aliens; having your blood
sucked out of your body by a vampire; or flying unassisted over Stanstead
Airport in your dressing gown. This is also the reality that is generally
accepted by entities that have not come to terms with their own possible
non-existence.
Consensus reality is just what it sounds like. If you are accused of
insanity, your best bet is to try to demonstrate an understanding of your
accusers version of consensus reality and act within their limitations of
acceptable behaviour. Discussions of advanced technologies and threats to
Galactic security are best not entered into, in most backward
civilisations, under these circumstances.
Consensus reality can change so fast you really have a tough time keeping
up with it. This phenomenon "Consensus Reality Drift" (CRD), exists in all
spatial and temporal dimensions, so you have to keep your wits about you.
Examples of typical consensus reality beliefs are:
1) The flat world paradigm.
2) The spherical world paradigm.
3) The Newtonian physics paradigm.
4) The Relativistic physics paradigm.
5) The Quantum Physics paradigm.
Non-Ordinary Realities
======================
There are more of these than there are Consensus Realities. This is
because of the fact that many sentient entities are obliged to comply with
consensus reality models during their existence but employ temporary (quite
normally) or permanent (getting tricky) additional paradigms (or reality
tunnels) in order to explain certain unusual, paranormal, phenomena.
Examples of these are:
1) Alien abduction scenarios.
2) Out Of Body Experiences (OOBEs).
3) Talking to God.
Alternative Realities
=====================
Who knows how many fully fledged alternative realities exist. Coping with
one is probably enough for most people, but to indulge in more would put
you at risk in any Committal proceeding. Most adoptees of any completely
alternative reality will soon find themselves in difficulty if attempting
to participate in any meaningful relationship with proponents of consensus
reality.
One interesting point to note is that it is theoretically possible for an
alternative reality adoptee to also adopt a temporary non-ordinary reality
model in order to coincide with the local consensus reality, thus fooling
everyone including themselves.
Examples of Alternative Realities are:
1) The Universal Conspiracy, i.e. everything is out to get me.
2) The stupid model, i.e. nothing is out to get me.
3) The Far Out model, like, wow man.
4) The Buddhist model, (very intricate and confusing).
5) Consensus reality.
Conclusion
==========
Reality is a complicated subject. A human called Robert Anton Wilson once
advised his readers to "not believe completely in their own belief system
and to not believe completely in anyone else's belief system." It remains
unclear to this day whether anyone actually believed him.
My advice to fellow travellers is to avoid thinking about reality at all
and wait and see what it throws at you. That is if you actually exist! Go
with the flow adopting local consensus realities and temporary non-ordinary
realities as you determine to be good and proper in the circumstances.
Perceptual ambiguities can be caused by any manifestation of a paranormal
event if you are not currently attuned to the correct reality model,
leaving you vulnerable to its effects.
Tacit acceptance of all probable and improbable reality models, whilst
outwardly showing awareness and understanding of the local consensus model
combined with any prevailing non-ordinary realities, is one of the best
strategies for coping with reality confusion.
NB. Due to the philosophical problem of categorising reality as Real,
Semi-real or Unreal, it is the authors suggestion that it be categorized as
Unreal, pending further investigation.