The other day we heard a friend describe what he termed a “reality tunnel.” We had never heard the phrase before. When we construct our own “reality tunnels,” we pick and choose the “facts” that make up the walls and ground and ceiling of that tunnel. Once we are in the tunnel, nothing gets in or out other than things that confirm that particular belief. You know where we are going with this…it’s not good.
Over the past few years, as we have learned about algorithms on social media, we have all become more cautious of this. And, it is still really rare to find someone who acknowledges that they are already in a reality tunnel. It is often discussed as something to ward against, not something to find your way out of. We think it's the other people who are in them.
Our contribution to this issue is to say that this is not a new phenomenon of the social media era. Reality tunnels have always been constructed. Our parents, our upbringing, our friends and family, who we go to school with, etc. these all assist in the creation of our reality tunnels.
Being aware of our reality tunnels helps dissolve the borders of them. If, rather than taking your thoughts, feelings, and attitudes for granted, you thought, “I wonder how I would feel about this if I had been born elsewhere or had different parents, or at a different time,” you would be more equipped to see outside the tunnel.
To knowing when you are in a tunnel
