Reality Apathy

Awakening from the Meaning Crisis

"Reality apathy" is a term used to describe a state of feeling emotionally and mentally disconnected from reality or the world around you.

In the Digital Age, it seems that more and more people are feeling disconnected from reality. They don't seem to have any institutions they can trust, or news outlets they can rely on, and so they just don't know what to believe. This is contributing to a phenomenon known as "reality apathy," in which people feel a sense of disconnection and meaninglessness in their lives.

One scholar who has been thinking deeply about this issue is John Vervaeke, a cognitive scientist and professor at the University of Toronto. Vervaeke has been studying the so-called "meaning crisis" in contemporary society, in which people feel a sense of disorientation and lack of direction in their lives. In his view, the meaning crisis is at the root of many of the problems we face today, including reality apathy.

Vervaeke is also known for his work on the theory of relevance realization, which proposes that the mind is fundamentally oriented towards the detection of patterns that are relevant to our goals and concerns. He has developed a popular YouTube series of online lectures on this topic, called "Awakening from the Meaning Crisis," which explores the nature of meaning, consciousness, and the relationship between science and spirituality.

The following eight things are key points that I learned from watching his content on YouTube. Each one of these items directly relates to the subject of Reality Apathy.

Meaning-Making:

According to Vervaeke, the human mind is naturally oriented towards the detection and creation of patterns that are relevant to our goals and concerns. In the context of reality apathy, this suggests that one reason people may feel disconnected from the world is that they have not found a sense of meaning or purpose in their lives. He often refers to this as "the meaning crisis."

The Role of Attention:

Another important concept in Vervaeke's work is the idea that attention is a crucial component of relevance realization. In the context of reality apathy, this suggests that one reason people may feel disconnected from the world is that they are not paying attention to the things that are most relevant to them. Developing better habits of attention and learning to focus on what is most important is one way to overcome reality apathy.

Reality and Narrative:

Vervaeke has argued that human beings are natural storytellers, and that our ability to create and communicate narratives is a key part of our cognitive and social development. In the context of Reality Apathy, this suggests that one reason people may feel disconnected from the world is that they are not engaged with the proper narratives that shape our collective understanding of reality. Instead, the may be too caught up in their own ego story. Exploring the stories and narratives that shape our lives is one way to overcome reality apathy.

Cognitive Dissonance:

Another factor that may contribute to reality apathy is cognitive dissonance, which occurs when our beliefs or values conflict with the information or experiences we encounter in the world. Vervaeke has discussed the challenge of resolving cognitive dissonance, and how it can lead to feelings of uncertainty or disorientation. In the context of reality apathy, this suggests that one reason people may feel disconnected from the world is that they are struggling to reconcile their beliefs or values with the realities they encounter. Developing skills for resolving cognitive dissonance is one way to overcome reality apathy.

The Power of Community:

Vervaeke has also emphasized the importance of community and social connection in our lives, and how it can help us to find meaning and purpose. In the context of reality apathy, this suggests that one reason people may feel disconnected from the world is that they lack strong social connections or a sense of belonging. Building stronger connections with others may be a way to overcome reality apathy.

Self-Transcendence:

Finally, Vervaeke has argued that a key to finding meaning and purpose in life is to engage in acts of self-transcendence, or activities that take us beyond ourselves and our individual concerns. In the context of reality apathy, this suggests that one reason people may feel disconnected from the world is that they are too focused on their own individual concerns and not engaged in activities that have broader social or cultural significance. Engaging in acts of self-transcendence may be a way to overcome reality apathy.

Embodied Cognition:

Vervaeke has emphasized the role of embodied cognition in our experience of the world, arguing that our bodies and movements play a key role in shaping our perceptions and understanding of reality. In the context of reality apathy, this suggests that one reason people may feel disconnected from the world is that they are not fully engaged with their embodied experience. Developing greater awareness of our bodies and movements, and learning to use them in more intentional and meaningful ways, may be a way to overcome reality apathy.

Dialogue into Dialogos

One of John Vervaeke's current areas of interest is the importance of dialogue and the Greek concept of aporia, or the state of not knowing. Vervaeke argues that engaging in genuine dialogue with others, where we are open to exploring different perspectives and ideas, can be a powerful way to overcome reality apathy. By embracing the state of not knowing and engaging in deep, honest, and respectful dialogue with others, we can cultivate a sense of connection and community. In this so-called "flow state" one can sense the Logos of intelligibility in a deeply fulfilling way that might be felt as a euphoric or blissful state of being.

Vervaeke has even coined the term "dialogos" to describe this state of heightened awareness and connection that can arise through meaningful dialogue. By embracing dialogos, we can begin to break through the walls of Reality Apathy and discover a greater sense of connection with others, ourselves, that "spiritual energy" that lives and breathes between us. This is what Buber called "I-thou" relationships. He wrote a book by the same name and I just finished reading it.

Martin Buber believed that the "I-Thou" relationship was the most fundamental way in which we can experience the world, and that it is through these relationships that we find meaning and purpose in our lives. He saw the "I-Thou" relationship as a form of spiritual practice, in which we can cultivate a deeper sense of connection and presence with others, and ultimately with the world around us. I learned about Buber from John Vervaeke, just one of the many things I have to thank him for.

In conclusion, Reality Apathy is a growing phenomenon that reflects a deep sense of disillusionment and mistrust in our society. People are struggling to find meaning and purpose in a world that often seems chaotic and confusing. However, by exploring the work of thinkers like John Vervaeke and Martin Buber, we can begin to cultivate a deeper sense of connection and meaning in our lives. By recognizing the value of authentic human connection, and embracing a more open and engaged way of being in the world, we can find the tools we need to move beyond apathy and into a more vibrant and fulfilling reality.

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