Where do you draw the line?

I’ve been doing a lot of research for an upcoming book project about spin.

One of the ideas I’m exploring is what philosophers call social construction. That is, the assertion that reality isn’t something we discover but something we create.

Though I believe there is a lot of truth and value to this idea, I’m very clear that there is a point where it breaks down. Consider this recent Denny’s commercial:

Why is this funny? Is it because the customer is being absurd trying to pay with fake money? Or is it because he has a point claiming it shouldn’t matter since the breakfast itself isn’t real?

Seriously, while it may be true in some sense that we each create our own reality, does that mean that we are obligated to accept each other’s version of reality?

If you listen to many “New Agers” this is exactly what it means. You don’t question my “reality” and I won’t question yours.

Live and let live is fine and dandy, but what happens when two “realities” collide as in the commercial above?

Where do we draw the line? Or, do we draw a line at all?

Posted on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 at 10:26 PM

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