Delusions

It’s not a big stretch to say that delusions are what keep a good chunk of people alive. One could further the point that a prior delusion could now be a reality, for those so determined. Encapsulated as “having a dream”. What is the line between the two?

At first guess one could say action. Dreams only become reality through lots and lots of action; delusions thrive best when you’re disconnected from what you’re actually doing. How you actually spend your time. “I’ll do it one day.”

But you could have a dream, work at it, and still not witness its full fruition. What’s the point of having such a vision if it’s virtually impossible to come to life? At that point it functions no different as a delusion. Distinguished only in its demand: propels you to sink thousands of hours. For the same end: some comfort, placation. Textbook workaholic.

If action doesn’t cut it, then informed action does. The best delusions constantly mingle with the reality’s edifice and ebb. Only a close hold to what fits in this world will help you discern whether you’re lost in fitful madness again.

I wish it was easier to separate them. It’s already difficult enough, and how easy it is to doubt yourself. But I think there are some matter-of-facts you can rely on.

For example, let’s say your friend tells you about their next big business idea. Maybe they come up with a new social media that will magically “be better” and “not as toxic” and “keeps you like… actually connected and shit”. He asks you whether you’d want to team up.

Intuitively you may know this wouldn’t work out.

But one could entertain it. If you’ve never dealt with the pains and doldrums of collaborating with someone before, you may even say yes, why not. Why can’t social medias just “be better”!

But there were thousands before you, now bankrupt. Social media functions exactly as it is supposed to. It works inline with the more base parts of human nature and status seeking. Toxicity will never be stamped out as long as there are two people in the same room.

Only when you can find agreement between how the world is actually working and where your delusion-to-dream waiting fits in, may you find it work.