More times than I can count this week I have heard the term "perception is reality" used with complete abandon. This is a sampling of the disparate conversations in which this phrase has been bandied about:
1. A discussion about the NFL playoffs
2. During an NPR story about the Middle East
3. In a conversation at work
First, for the phrase itself to have even a modicum of validity, it would need to be revised to say "perception is a reality" but that still doesn't address the heart of the issue.
What people really mean when they say this is that they are too lazy to find out what the reality is. Instead, they are going to let their perceptions drive their behavior. And, in case they are wrong, they can justify it simply by spouting off that trite little phrase. The implication is that people are responsible for how they are perceived, and as long as someone's behavior supports their perception, it's cool.
I am hereby removing this jargon from the English language. Violators will have their tongues removed.
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