Buzz
Life is brimming with endless marvels. While many articles dive into the most captivating phenomena in our universe that are designed to entertain us, this one takes a closer look at some of the commonly held beliefs about things that people swear exist, but in reality, they don't (at least not in the way we usually think).
There are certain things we take for granted every day, like time, yet in the end, these concepts are nothing more than illusions or fabrications we've either told ourselves or been convinced of. Though we might believe otherwise, the things listed here aren't real in the way we perceive them.
10. The Idea of Subjective Reality
Some individuals have taken philosophy courses, heard the idea that 'reality is subjective,' and left with a confusing belief that there are multiple versions of reality around them, depending on how each person perceives it. However, while every individual has their own subjective reality, it will always be personal and unique to them. Unfortunately, our own perception of reality can never be 'right' — it's merely the specific wrong way we view the universe.
By this logic, we must acknowledge that there is ultimately only one reality, and regardless of how differently we perceive it subjectively, one event still occurred in a single way before everyone, not in multiple ways just because two individuals experienced it differently. Of course, most people already accept this, unless they've taken just the right number of freshman philosophy courses.
9. The Perception of Objective Time
Time is one of the oddest phenomena we deal with every day. We take it as a given, and largely, we view it as a useful system to help us stay organized. Yet, when speaking with physicists, time might not even exist in the way we think. Einstein demonstrated that time is relative, which implies it might not be an actual 'thing' but rather a macroscopic effect of something else. Physicists are currently grappling with various models of time, but no one theory has fully resolved the puzzle yet.
This becomes even more perplexing when scientists examine time at super-small scales, such as the Planck scale, where it appears to disappear entirely. If time isn't truly real, at least not in the way we perceive it, and if we could uncover the real nature of 'time,' we might finally gain a complete understanding of the physics of the universe. However, a consensus seems to be forming around the idea that, if time does exist as we think, the only objective and absolute 'time' marker would likely be the very center of the universe or something analogous—a point we are entirely incapable of measuring. This suggests that even if our understanding of time is correct, our use of it in equations may still be flawed in certain applications.
8. Love with Conditions
At times, people use terms like 'conditional' or 'unconditional' love, and over the years, there’s been some confusion about what these words really mean. It all began with 'conditional love' being used to describe relationships where someone didn’t truly love another person but only liked them when certain conditions were met. However, this idea has gotten so muddled that many forget that there is really only one true form of love, which is unconditional love. And since true love can only exist in one way, modifiers are unnecessary.
Love is blind, love doesn’t judge, and love simply exists. There are no conditions, and there never will be. Things like attraction, obsession, and infatuation are not love, and they don't belong in the same category. Love wouldn’t just die for someone—it would live for them unconditionally, with nothing more than a hope that the other person will find happiness. This is why some parents, despite feeling heartbroken and disappointed when their children make terrible choices, never stop loving them, because love doesn’t end. Of course, situations like these can be incredibly painful, but that’s the essence of love.
7. The Myth of True Anarchy
Many young people are attracted to the idea of an anarchist 'government,' thinking it’s a cool concept. Some even go as far as wearing black, knocking over trash cans, and setting fires in the name of 'anarchy.' However, the reality is that the lawless society desired by extreme anarchists and some rebellious teens is simply unfeasible. If society were to collapse, people would quickly begin forming groups again, and those groups would inevitably start establishing their own rules.
If you were to decide to live by your own rules and do your own thing, you’d either end up isolated or in conflict with the many small governing authorities that would inevitably pop up around you. Either way, you’d soon realize that the world is naturally inclined toward organization and community. Humans group together, create agreements, form compacts, and establish laws. True anarchy is an unnatural state that humans are simply not wired for. The truth is, what many so-called anarchists actually want is a world free from consequences—and that’s something that will never happen. No matter how much society breaks down, every action will still have consequences—that's just a fundamental law of the universe.
6. The Ideal Government System, or the ‘Best’ Form of Government
Discussions about the perfect government system often revolve around capitalism or socialism. Some advocate for direct democracy, others favor democratic republics, and some even argue that a dictatorship could be effective if the right leader is in charge. However, the reality is that no society or government is perfect, and there is no universal solution that fits all. While some may claim that, although perfection is unattainable, we can still strive for the best, this argument doesn’t always hold water.
There might be a governmental system that works well for a small region or specific culture, but the idea that one system can be the best for every diverse people on this Earth, with its myriad languages and cultures, is rather far-fetched. In truth, each nation should explore what works best for them based on their unique circumstances, rather than trying to conform to a rigid, academic idea of the 'best' system.
5. The Myth of a Global Food Crisis
Many people discuss ways to solve world hunger, often framing the issue as one of producing enough food or increasing crop yields and livestock. The reality, however, is that the so-called global food shortage doesn't actually exist. What we are facing is a massive distribution problem and, even more critically, a staggering waste problem. Not just in the United States and Europe, but across the globe, an immense amount of perfectly good food is discarded—some of it even at farms because it doesn't look appealing—before it even reaches consumers. This waste is both shocking and tragic.
Additionally, the staggering volume of food that is wasted—left unfinished, discarded before even being prepared, and other similar cases—has resulted in such an alarming amount of waste. Experts argue that if we could effectively distribute the food we are currently producing, we could alleviate world hunger today. The primary obstacle, however, lies in the cost and infrastructure required to ensure that food reaches those who need it most.
4. Overpopulation
Overpopulation isn't quite the issue many think it is. The Earth is not even close to being overpopulated. While infrastructure challenges exist, for a system to be truly overpopulated, there must be more people than resources can support in a closed environment. In reality, aside from the planet itself, closed systems are often artificial constructs that could be adjusted by improving or dismantling the necessary infrastructure.
To truly reach overpopulation or exceed the planet's carrying capacity, with the Earth's resources and space efficiently utilized, we'd likely need a population in the tens of billions. The planet is vast, can support a significant number of people and animals, and can grow vast amounts of food. This doesn't diminish the fact that there are real problems—chiefly, issues with distribution. However, the reality is that the Earth's resources are not running out; rather, we simply need to figure out how to organize them more effectively.
3. Zero Gravity
One of the most perplexing aspects of space travel is the concept of zero gravity, a term that many people assume to be accurate but is actually somewhat misleading. The reality is that complete absence of gravity is impossible anywhere in the universe. However, it’s still possible to experience the sensation of weightlessness. Even in the vastness of space, gravitational forces from celestial bodies like the Moon, the Sun, and other stars continue to exert influence. Yet, if you are able to accelerate at the same rate as your surroundings, you can simulate the sensation of floating. This phenomenon is often demonstrated by the ‘Vomit Comet,’ a plane that enters free-fall for short bursts to replicate the sensation of weightlessness for astronauts in training.
Those who have felt weightlessness describe it as an incredibly strange sensation. In ‘zero-g,’ it can be impossible to distinguish between floating and falling towards the Earth when your eyes are shut. This is why the Vomit Comet is essential for astronaut training: it helps acclimate them to the sensation of floating before their first mission. Without this preparation, astronauts might panic when they start orbiting Earth and experience the sensation of falling without realizing it’s part of the weightlessness. By introducing the experience gradually, astronauts are better prepared for the disorienting sensation they’ll face in space.
2. A True Silencer For A Gun
In countless movies and TV shows, silencers are often portrayed as making a gunshot nearly inaudible, with barely a sound to indicate that a shot was fired. Characters in films may fire weapons in close quarters, and even if someone is in the adjacent room, they won’t hear the shot. In reality, however, silencers don’t work nearly as effectively as they’re depicted. Guns are loud, and ‘silencers’ are actually more accurately referred to as suppressors. They only reduce the sound of the gunshot, not eliminate it entirely, and the sound of the bullet still carries a significant distance.
This is because, as you might have guessed, they don’t fully silence the sound—they simply suppress it. Depending on the size and loudness of the gun you’re using, as well as the quality of your suppressor, you might have better results with your stealthy attempts than what you would expect based on movie depictions. However, don’t expect the same level of effectiveness. The reality is that, no matter what technology we apply, it’s tough to fully contain the sound—especially in a handheld device—when such a massive amount of energy is released in the process.
1. A Lack Of Enough Water For Humans To Drink
Many people assume that there’s a global water shortage, but the situation is a bit more complicated. Some experts argue that if fresh water were distributed properly to the right regions, there would be sufficient supply. However, concerns are rising that this might change as climate change and pollution continue to threaten safe, fresh water sources, leading to a very real fear about the future.
Despite concerns over pollution potentially poisoning every water source to the point of extinction, it’s important to remember that Earth will always have a vast amount of water. While most of it is salty, salt can be removed. Although current desalination processes consume a lot of energy and can be costly, making this technology more energy-efficient could solve many of the challenges. The primary issue would be distribution, but many regions are already turning to desalination as an option. While there are still concerns, it’s likely we will face other threats before we truly run out of water, a resource that makes up 70 percent of the Earth and each one of us. As with food, the real challenge lies in how well we distribute the Earth’s abundant resources locally and regionally.
