We, each of us humans, look at the world through our own eyes. Naturally, how could we do it any other way? But as such, all stimuli is received and perceived from our own unique perspective. We assume that which we see is what is actually there. Our senses collect data and deliver it to our brains. Which in turn, assesses the information and produces a concept of the matter. Based upon experience, comparison, and extrapolation, we move forward confident that our perception is reality. Moreover we assume that if given similar data, other reasonable people would come to similar, if not identical, outcomes.
But in practice, we all bring our own unique mechanical and cognitive ability to the assessment. In short, we do not agree. While enjoying a good book on a Sunday afternoon, my lovely bride is routinely covering me with a blanket. “Why,” say I, “are you doing this?” She has determined the room to be cold and assumes that I must perceive it the same way. Ordinarily, I do not. In fact, I find the room almost too warm – certainly too much for a lap throw. How could we both, healthy and long-married adults, be confronted with the same data and yet arrive at such vastly different outcomes? Is one of us wrong? Is there an empirical device that could unequivocally settle our dispute? If the thermostat read 70 degrees is this hot or cold?
Ferguson is now, and will forever be, marred by the tragedy that occurred there. Perhaps we can agree on this assessment. But who is to blame and who is the victim? What does our own bias bring us to believe? Are we witnessing protests, riots or terrorists activity? Can we ever hope to avoid our biased bias? Can anyone?