The fish and the bowl: Human nature has it flaws. Humans cannot be nor perfect nor omnipotent. One cannot be aware of everything. Life is too complicated and with parallel situations maturing. According to psychological studies, humans have a tendency to prefer knowns over unknowns. We try to see only what we are informed of. Choices are determined by what lies in our subconscious minds.
Comparisons are grounded on the basis of one’s information and background. Comparisons are there limited and relative, Limited because nobody can be virtually cognizant about all options and alternatives. Imagine whether one can be possibly compare or at least know all the perfumes available. Therefore comparisons become relative and subjective. A person rates and bases his comparisons on the available data-set he has formed. Data-sets differ between different individuals. Let’s see Person X and Person Y. If they are asked to grade/rate a random product V they will have to give an objective rating. The individuals are going to rate the products by comparing them to the other alternatives. Person X is evaluating the product V by contrasting it to the following dataset ( A, B, C, D ,E & F). Person Y will use a different measure (A, D, E, H, K, L, & T).
As one may perceive comparisons cannot be relied upon. There can never be objective or absolute comparisons, only defective, subjective and relative. Two other shortcomings have to do with how people rate and what determines their ratings. Modern statistics have come up with tools and methods which are supposed to blur the boundaries and erase or at least minimize any personal prejudices. The above Person X may rate product V with a grade 8 (on a 10 grade scale 1-10) while also Person Y may use the same rating. Does this deduce that they hold the same opinion about the product? No! Person X may consider grade 8 a very high rating since he is a “strict” judge. On the other hand Person Y may be very munificent with grades and therefore he may hold a lower opinion about the product than one may presume. Now, research methods can evaluate how a person rates by balancing his/hers rating history.
The second shortcoming is what determines the rating process and outcome. Imagine 2 guys are discussing about a random woman. They may have the same opinion about her but for different reasons. The first one likes her smile more and without being aware of this fact give a high rating. The second guy is fond of her ears. While both of them may concur that they find her attractive, both of them see a different version of beauty. Perhaps this illustration may help the readers. Think of the woman or anything you want as the center of a circle. Everybody then can take a place on the circumference and look at the center. This is what people call a different angle, a different viewpoint. A person can only be aware of what he sees and perceives. He is not aware of the viewpoint others are occupying.
Even a simple concept where most people agree on, colors may be totally subjective. Can you define color red? You may think colors can be defined but in reality that is neither practical nor feasible. Users familiar with computers and image processing programs know that colors are categorized by their number. There is no RED color. There are different shades which get “named after a series of numbers and letters. A color can be something like #FFF04C. Red means nothing. Computers have helped the human race to start obtaining standards which can be accepted by anybody. How many times have you used the words, fast, tall, short, fat, heavy. There are no standards uses for these words. What about the most common example. “I will call you later”. What does later mean? Tomorrow? In 5 minutes? In a day?
Our time for today is near its end. Next time think before you make a judgment. Does the other person or the one it is intended for share the same mental upbringing like you? Do the words you use be interpreted like you intend to? Do not hurt or insult other when it is not your intention to do so. Learn how to make your point across various audiences. Value systems will become more clear when you align your senses with the outer world.
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