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How Real Is Real? Confusion, Disinformation, Communication
The connection between communication and reality is a relatively new idea. It is only in recent decades that the confusions, disorientations and very different world views that arise as a result of communication have become an independent field of research. One of the experts who has been working in this field is Dr. Paul Watzlawick, and he here presents, in a series of arresting and sometimes very funny examples, some of the findings.
266 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1976
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About the author
Paul Watzlawick
69Ìýbooks208ÌýfollowersWas an Austrian-American psychologist and philosopher. A theoretician in communication theory and radical constructivism, he has commented in the fields of family therapy and general psychotherapy. He was one of the most influential figures at the Mental Research Institute and lived and worked in Palo Alto, California, until his death at the age of 85
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
July 24, 2013
Not what I expected. This book's a bit of a classic in communication theory, because it was the first academic book that suggested there was a seperate reality for everyone involved in a relationship: no one is 'wrong', everyone's truth is valid. Through citations I read over the years I got the impression that this was chock full of anecdotes about miscommunications in relationships, but in fact there's only three. *puzzled face*
It is, rather, a book about slippages (or potential slippages) in communication in a much wider frame.
So it covers the Prisoner's Dilemma, a really good discussion of Newcombe's Paradox, , an analysis of how we might communicate with aliens, interspecies communication (like the very early stages of the ), etc.
It's an easy read, highly conversational, but because it's a 36-year-old book I wouldn't recommend it. Much of what is in here was a novel suggestion at the time, but generally accepted now. A little bit of it infuriated me e.g. the images on the Pioneer probes can't be sexist because a woman (unnamed, just "Carl Sagan's wife") drew them (took me riiight back to my childhood, that one).
3 stars, mainly for the paradox discussion.
It is, rather, a book about slippages (or potential slippages) in communication in a much wider frame.
So it covers the Prisoner's Dilemma, a really good discussion of Newcombe's Paradox, , an analysis of how we might communicate with aliens, interspecies communication (like the very early stages of the ), etc.
It's an easy read, highly conversational, but because it's a 36-year-old book I wouldn't recommend it. Much of what is in here was a novel suggestion at the time, but generally accepted now. A little bit of it infuriated me e.g. the images on the Pioneer probes can't be sexist because a woman (unnamed, just "Carl Sagan's wife") drew them (took me riiight back to my childhood, that one).
3 stars, mainly for the paradox discussion.
August 16, 2016
I have re-read this book after some 12 years and it's as relevant as ever.
Main ideas presented in the book deal with how communication creates reality. Author makes a distinction between first-order reality (the actual physical space) and second-order reality (the explanations and conceptualizations that living beings create to make sense of the world).
Through examinations of problems in translation, paradoxes and possibilities of non-human communication (with apes, dolphins and extraterrestrials) we are exposed to some really uncomfortable conclusions about what is reality.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in communication, language and deeper insight on the nature of reality.
Few quotes:
"Language not only conveys information but also expresses a world view."
"The belief that one's own view of reality is the only reality is the most dangerous of all delusions. It becomes still more dangerous if it is coupled with a missionary zeal to enlighten the rest of the world, whether the rest of the world wishes to be enlightened or not."
Main ideas presented in the book deal with how communication creates reality. Author makes a distinction between first-order reality (the actual physical space) and second-order reality (the explanations and conceptualizations that living beings create to make sense of the world).
Through examinations of problems in translation, paradoxes and possibilities of non-human communication (with apes, dolphins and extraterrestrials) we are exposed to some really uncomfortable conclusions about what is reality.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in communication, language and deeper insight on the nature of reality.
Few quotes:
"Language not only conveys information but also expresses a world view."
"The belief that one's own view of reality is the only reality is the most dangerous of all delusions. It becomes still more dangerous if it is coupled with a missionary zeal to enlighten the rest of the world, whether the rest of the world wishes to be enlightened or not."
February 1, 2020
A mostly interesting read which focuses on communication between people, animals, aliens, spies, imaginary entities, temporal systems. There is also a good deal of game theory thrown in the mix as well.
How Real is Real? doesn't offer all the answers as the title suggests (it would be silly to expect a comprehensive tome on reality in under 300 pages, though I can't help but feel that the title is an editorial decision by the publisher.) The main idea is that we have two coexisting realities: first order reality which is a shared and observable space governed by universal laws of physics and whathaveyou. Second order reality is a myriad tunnelled realm of communication where context and paradox have influence and power, a multiverse of perspectives each equally real. Communication serves as a bridge and as a barrier between realities and Watzlawick explores this idea in a roundabout way. I should stress this book is not in the same vein as Robert Anton Wilson or PKD, it is not a mind bending 60s book, which I suppose is what I was kind of half expecting. There are no self-dribbling dimensional elves here. The book plays more along these lines:
How real is real?
How real is real?
How real is real?
How real is real?
The meaning changes in each one. Communication controls reality in a similar vein. Or so he argues. The book is at its most interesting as a collection of topics which circle around this idea beginning with a horse who could tap the alphabet with his hoof and progressing chapter by chapter all the way to time travel paradoxes. It all wraps up anti-climatically in the end with Buddhism oneness being beyond words. Nirvana is kind of like the worst kept secret in the universe and to be honest is a boring note to end a book on.
Anyways, my favourite takeaway from all this is that dolphins have a special whistle that they use when they are trapped and drowning so that other dolphins will drop what they are doing and come help bring them to the surface. Humans can learn this whistle and use it underwater, in effect calling on the aid of our dolphin buddies to rescue us. But that isn't the most interesting part of it. If you try to use this whistle in bad faith, as in you are not actually in danger or drowning and merely want to test out the rad dolphin rescue whistle for fun, the dolphins will know and they will hit you with their fins and tails to teach you a lesson that the rescue whistle is never to be used as a joke.
How Real is Real? doesn't offer all the answers as the title suggests (it would be silly to expect a comprehensive tome on reality in under 300 pages, though I can't help but feel that the title is an editorial decision by the publisher.) The main idea is that we have two coexisting realities: first order reality which is a shared and observable space governed by universal laws of physics and whathaveyou. Second order reality is a myriad tunnelled realm of communication where context and paradox have influence and power, a multiverse of perspectives each equally real. Communication serves as a bridge and as a barrier between realities and Watzlawick explores this idea in a roundabout way. I should stress this book is not in the same vein as Robert Anton Wilson or PKD, it is not a mind bending 60s book, which I suppose is what I was kind of half expecting. There are no self-dribbling dimensional elves here. The book plays more along these lines:
How real is real?
How real is real?
How real is real?
How real is real?
The meaning changes in each one. Communication controls reality in a similar vein. Or so he argues. The book is at its most interesting as a collection of topics which circle around this idea beginning with a horse who could tap the alphabet with his hoof and progressing chapter by chapter all the way to time travel paradoxes. It all wraps up anti-climatically in the end with Buddhism oneness being beyond words. Nirvana is kind of like the worst kept secret in the universe and to be honest is a boring note to end a book on.
Anyways, my favourite takeaway from all this is that dolphins have a special whistle that they use when they are trapped and drowning so that other dolphins will drop what they are doing and come help bring them to the surface. Humans can learn this whistle and use it underwater, in effect calling on the aid of our dolphin buddies to rescue us. But that isn't the most interesting part of it. If you try to use this whistle in bad faith, as in you are not actually in danger or drowning and merely want to test out the rad dolphin rescue whistle for fun, the dolphins will know and they will hit you with their fins and tails to teach you a lesson that the rescue whistle is never to be used as a joke.
June 6, 2023
der letzte teil mit zeitreisen war eine reinste psychose
May 29, 2019
Un libro scritto negli anni Settanta che ci parla in maniera straordinariamente lucida del nostro presente, un presente che vive più che mai di comunicazione, di disinformazione e, conseguentemente, nella confusione. Con il suo stile preciso ma mai ostico, scientifico ma piacevolissimo, Watzlawick ci parla di paradossi, di fake news - prima che si chiamassero così - di cavalli 'parlanti', di spie e addirittura di comunicazioni con gli alieni.
Un libro da leggere per capire meglio le strategie che ci creiamo per ingannare e ingannarci, di fronte a una realtà che rimane indecifrabile e paradossale, nonostante i nostri sforzi.
Un libro da leggere per capire meglio le strategie che ci creiamo per ingannare e ingannarci, di fronte a una realtà che rimane indecifrabile e paradossale, nonostante i nostri sforzi.
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December 3, 2008I was quite scared when I first read this book...felt kind of schizophrenic I must say...But sometimes is good to question our notions of reality!
July 20, 2018
Testo scritto davvero benissimo e molto avvincente, nonostante la complessità del tema. Grazie ai numerosi aneddoti, W. riesce a spiegare tutte quelle strutture mentali che condizionano la nostra percezione del reale.
Il testo parte dall'assunto che una delle credenze più pericolose sia quella di sostenere che ci sia una sola realtà . Di fatto, W. ci parla di due livelli di realtà : il primo è verificabile attraverso l'analisi di dati e dipende dalla nostra conoscenza tecnica. Il secondo livello, quello più importante, invece è legato a questioni sociali, cioè a come trasmettiamo le informazioni. La realtà , quindi, dipenda da come rilasciamo e otteniamo le informazioni. W. analizza i casi della confusione, disinformazione e della comunicazione in generale.
Il primo caso analizza tutti quei momenti in cui possono esserci problemi di trasmissione del messaggio: quando il ricevente e l'emittente non condividono lo stesso codice, allora possono presentarsi alcuni conflitti interpretativi che mostrano come nello stesso messaggio possano prodursi due realtà differenti.
Il secondo caso, invece, analizza tutte quelle situazioni in cui si individua un senso all'interno di eventi del tutto casuali: questo dipenda dalla nostra capacità di cercare connessioni, capacità che, a volte, vede legami anche dove non ci sono. E, molto spesso, la realtà viene osservata sulla base di proprie convinzioni e non sull'attenta analisi dei dati.
La terza parte, infine, mostra i tentativi dell'uomo di comunicare con altri esseri viventi. Questo mostra come gran parte del nostro mondo dipenda dal nostro modo di strutturare il linguaggio e che diverse specie osservano il mondo in maniera diversa. Ciononostante, la realtà è fatta di alcuni elementi base che possono diventare elementi simbolici condivisi da tutti.
Il testo si conclude analizzando tutti i paradossi introdotti dal mondo quantistico, mostrando come le conoscenze scientifiche possono stravolgere la nostra percezione del reale.
Testo per tutti, davvero notevole la capacità divulgativa di W.
Il testo parte dall'assunto che una delle credenze più pericolose sia quella di sostenere che ci sia una sola realtà . Di fatto, W. ci parla di due livelli di realtà : il primo è verificabile attraverso l'analisi di dati e dipende dalla nostra conoscenza tecnica. Il secondo livello, quello più importante, invece è legato a questioni sociali, cioè a come trasmettiamo le informazioni. La realtà , quindi, dipenda da come rilasciamo e otteniamo le informazioni. W. analizza i casi della confusione, disinformazione e della comunicazione in generale.
Il primo caso analizza tutti quei momenti in cui possono esserci problemi di trasmissione del messaggio: quando il ricevente e l'emittente non condividono lo stesso codice, allora possono presentarsi alcuni conflitti interpretativi che mostrano come nello stesso messaggio possano prodursi due realtà differenti.
Il secondo caso, invece, analizza tutte quelle situazioni in cui si individua un senso all'interno di eventi del tutto casuali: questo dipenda dalla nostra capacità di cercare connessioni, capacità che, a volte, vede legami anche dove non ci sono. E, molto spesso, la realtà viene osservata sulla base di proprie convinzioni e non sull'attenta analisi dei dati.
La terza parte, infine, mostra i tentativi dell'uomo di comunicare con altri esseri viventi. Questo mostra come gran parte del nostro mondo dipenda dal nostro modo di strutturare il linguaggio e che diverse specie osservano il mondo in maniera diversa. Ciononostante, la realtà è fatta di alcuni elementi base che possono diventare elementi simbolici condivisi da tutti.
Il testo si conclude analizzando tutti i paradossi introdotti dal mondo quantistico, mostrando come le conoscenze scientifiche possono stravolgere la nostra percezione del reale.
Testo per tutti, davvero notevole la capacità divulgativa di W.
June 19, 2021
A good read, albeit somewhat dated at times
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August 27, 2021I don’t feel I’m a good candidate to review the book as it was very difficult for my little brain:) I honestly did not understand half of what was written there.
December 27, 2024
Me llamó la atención el tÃtulo cuando lo cogà de la librerÃa Picasso en la calle Obispo Hurtado de Granada. A mi entender, resulta gracioso cuestionarse si realmente la realidad es real. Yo pensaba que nadie normalmente se cuestiona eso, lo da por hecho. (Ya me he dado cuenta de que existiendo el constructivismo, yo estaba equivocado, y hace poco me enteré de que el constructivismo existe ya desde mediados del siglo XX). Hojeando el libro, me doy cuenta de dos cosas: que mi memoria a corto plazo no es tan mala y que este libro, página por página, me ha resultado enriquecedor y con contenido de lo que poder hablar. (Solo voy ahora mismo por la página 88 y tiene 244). Recuerdo cada una de sus secciones y capÃtulos, y recuerdo haberlos hablado con amigos y/o compañeros de estudios. No me suele pasar, y son en muchas ocasiones graciosos.
Cómo será lo que me ha gustado y me resulta tan útil su lectura, que a pesar de que este autor falleció en 2007, he comprado y seguro que leeré cinco libros más, además de este, del mismo autor, porque quiero conocer en profundidad la obra de este autor. Ya he empezado a leer por encima "El arte de amargarse la vida", que creo que transmite más de lo que en un principio comprendà al leerlo, pero me ha resultado atrayente.
Cómo será lo que me ha gustado y me resulta tan útil su lectura, que a pesar de que este autor falleció en 2007, he comprado y seguro que leeré cinco libros más, además de este, del mismo autor, porque quiero conocer en profundidad la obra de este autor. Ya he empezado a leer por encima "El arte de amargarse la vida", que creo que transmite más de lo que en un principio comprendà al leerlo, pero me ha resultado atrayente.
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February 19, 2024I read this book back in my late 20s, back in 1998 or 1999, at the suggestion of the counselor I was seeing. Then I was thinking about it today while reading Yoga and the Quest for the True Self, which talks about the true self and the false self, and (roughly) how our obsession with the false self we create keeps us from reality, which got me thinking about other books I'd read that challenged my idea of reality, which would be, in the order I read them, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, How Real is Real and, most recently, The Case Against Reality: Why Evolution Hid the Truth from Our Eyes.
So I was surprised to find that I'd never marked this book as "read," despite having read it well after I started keeping track of the books I finished. Maybe I was annoyed with it for challenging my ideas of what reality is, or maybe I disregarded it because at that time I valued fiction so much more than nonfiction. Who knows. But it had a profound effect on my thinking, which I believe is the effect my counselor was after - getting me to see that my way of seeing things wasn't necessarily right or correct, it was just what I had.
So I was surprised to find that I'd never marked this book as "read," despite having read it well after I started keeping track of the books I finished. Maybe I was annoyed with it for challenging my ideas of what reality is, or maybe I disregarded it because at that time I valued fiction so much more than nonfiction. Who knows. But it had a profound effect on my thinking, which I believe is the effect my counselor was after - getting me to see that my way of seeing things wasn't necessarily right or correct, it was just what I had.
May 1, 2017
a gold mine of basic and cultural independent information about communication... it was my last book of the three I purchased from the same author and I recommend it to everyone...
"I would like to think that this book might contribute, if only in a small way, to creating an awareness of those forms of psychological violence which might make it more difficult for the modern mind-rapists, brainwashers and self-appointed world saviors to exert their evil power." from the foreword from the author. In times of political correctness and SJW more than welcome.
"I would like to think that this book might contribute, if only in a small way, to creating an awareness of those forms of psychological violence which might make it more difficult for the modern mind-rapists, brainwashers and self-appointed world saviors to exert their evil power." from the foreword from the author. In times of political correctness and SJW more than welcome.
August 26, 2012
Love this book a mind opener
June 19, 2021
3,5 Sterne
March 7, 2021
Somewhat outdated, but still very useful overall. I gets lost towards the end, but a good insight on perception.
April 1, 2021
A classic. Anyone who is curious about linguistics, communication, philosophy, or paradoxes would enjoy it. More theoretical and analytical than practical.
April 23, 2021
2.5 Stars. This book was very interesting at the beginning especially the parts about the communication with animals. But later on it was more and more confusing and disturbing for me.
January 27, 2024
So ein ausgesprochen kluger Autor und Psychologe mit leisen Humor. Ich empfehle für Psychologie Interessierte Videos von Watzlawick auf Youtube.
November 19, 2019
De algún modo, el titulo de este libro me resulta atractivo y sugerente, es lo que se puede ver de primero entre lÃneas, hasta adelantarnos como pasajero por el riachuelo de sus páginas. ¿Es real la realidad? del teórico, filosófico y psicólogo austriaco nacionalizado estadounidense, Paul Watzlawick, pero tengo que decir de entrada, su propuesta ensayÃstica es una mezcla de asombro y de incertidumbre, teniendo esta ultima por lo denso escritural, esperaba algo más.
Este libro estudia la pragmática de la comunicación Interpersonal. ¿Hasta qué punto es real lo que ingenuamente solemos llamar realidad? ¿Existe sólo una realidad, reflejo de verdades eternas y objetivas? ¿Se dan innumerables versiones de la realidad determinadas por la técnica de la comunicación? A todas estas interrogantes, las cuales deben ser rebuscadas por cada uno de sus pasadizos.
El eje central del libro, como punto de anclaje lector y escritor, tiene como hilo la realidad, pero está decorado por tres temas centrales: Confusión, desinformación y comunicación. Todos estos temas se irán desarrollando en sus temas teniendo como anclaje hechos.
La obra toma su punto de arranque en los problemas más elementales de la labor de traducción, puesto que, con ella, leves matices del significado, originados por el cambio de una lengua a otra, pueden provocar confusiones con serias repercusiones en las relaciones internacionales, y los errores de interpretación del recÃproco comportamiento entre seres humanos y otras criaturas, como los osos, a veces han resultado fatales. Se pasa después a la desinformación deliberada, como se estila en el espionaje y en los test psicológicos. Con ello se muestra la deformación del sentido de la realidad causada en la persona a quién se dirige. Al final se llega a las nuevas fronteras de la comunicación: la investigación sobre otras especies, como los chimpancés y los delfines, con los que recientemente se ha logrado comunicar, y las tentativas de comunicación con las inteligencias extraterrestres (con una completa descripción del proyecto Ozma).
Este libro estudia la pragmática de la comunicación Interpersonal. ¿Hasta qué punto es real lo que ingenuamente solemos llamar realidad? ¿Existe sólo una realidad, reflejo de verdades eternas y objetivas? ¿Se dan innumerables versiones de la realidad determinadas por la técnica de la comunicación? A todas estas interrogantes, las cuales deben ser rebuscadas por cada uno de sus pasadizos.
El eje central del libro, como punto de anclaje lector y escritor, tiene como hilo la realidad, pero está decorado por tres temas centrales: Confusión, desinformación y comunicación. Todos estos temas se irán desarrollando en sus temas teniendo como anclaje hechos.
La obra toma su punto de arranque en los problemas más elementales de la labor de traducción, puesto que, con ella, leves matices del significado, originados por el cambio de una lengua a otra, pueden provocar confusiones con serias repercusiones en las relaciones internacionales, y los errores de interpretación del recÃproco comportamiento entre seres humanos y otras criaturas, como los osos, a veces han resultado fatales. Se pasa después a la desinformación deliberada, como se estila en el espionaje y en los test psicológicos. Con ello se muestra la deformación del sentido de la realidad causada en la persona a quién se dirige. Al final se llega a las nuevas fronteras de la comunicación: la investigación sobre otras especies, como los chimpancés y los delfines, con los que recientemente se ha logrado comunicar, y las tentativas de comunicación con las inteligencias extraterrestres (con una completa descripción del proyecto Ozma).
January 25, 2021
Ein wunderbares Buch, um die grauen Zellen auf Trap zu bringen. Watzlawick beschäftigt sich unter den drei Perspektiven von Konfusion, Desinformation und Kommunikation mit der Schwierigkeit die sich mit dem Begriff der Wirklichkeit verbindet. Gibt es so etwas wie eine objektive Wirklichkeit, wie können wir etwas darüber erfahren und mitteilen, was bedeutet das für unseren "freien" Willen? Und obwohl diese Überlegungen sich auf einem akademischen Niveau bewegen, transportiert Watzlawick sie in der Betrachtung humorvoller Anekdoten und augenzwinkernden Beschreibung verschiedener Experimente. Dabei wird die/der Leser*In nie bevormundet, sondern zum eigenen Mit- und Weiterdenken aufgefordert.
Die Bedeutung dieses Denkens fasst Watzlawick so zusammen: "Die Geschichte der Menschheit zeigt, daß es kaum eine mörderischere, despotischere Idee gibt als den Wahn einer 'wirklichen' Wirklichkeit (womit natürlich die eigene Sicht gemeint ist), mit all den schrecklichen Folgen, die sich aus dieser wahnhaften Grundannahme dann streng logisch ableiten lassen. Die Fähigkeit, mit relativen Wahrheiten zu leben, mit Fragen, auf die es keine Antworten gibt, mit dem Wissen, nichts zu wissen, und mit den paradoxen Ungewißheiten der Existenz, dürfte dagegen das Wesen menschlicher Reife und der daraus folgenden Toleranz für andere sein. Wo diese Fähigkeit fehlt, werden wir, ohne es zu wissen, uns selbst wiederum der Welt des Großinquisitors ausliefern und das Leben von Schafen leben, dumpf und verantwortungslos und nur gelegentlich durch den beizenden Rauch eines prächtigen Autodafés oder der Schlote von Lagerkrematorien unseres Atems beraubt."
Absolute Leseempfehlung.
Die Bedeutung dieses Denkens fasst Watzlawick so zusammen: "Die Geschichte der Menschheit zeigt, daß es kaum eine mörderischere, despotischere Idee gibt als den Wahn einer 'wirklichen' Wirklichkeit (womit natürlich die eigene Sicht gemeint ist), mit all den schrecklichen Folgen, die sich aus dieser wahnhaften Grundannahme dann streng logisch ableiten lassen. Die Fähigkeit, mit relativen Wahrheiten zu leben, mit Fragen, auf die es keine Antworten gibt, mit dem Wissen, nichts zu wissen, und mit den paradoxen Ungewißheiten der Existenz, dürfte dagegen das Wesen menschlicher Reife und der daraus folgenden Toleranz für andere sein. Wo diese Fähigkeit fehlt, werden wir, ohne es zu wissen, uns selbst wiederum der Welt des Großinquisitors ausliefern und das Leben von Schafen leben, dumpf und verantwortungslos und nur gelegentlich durch den beizenden Rauch eines prächtigen Autodafés oder der Schlote von Lagerkrematorien unseres Atems beraubt."
Absolute Leseempfehlung.
July 4, 2022
What a great book despite the fact that I don't want to see things from this perspective. The fact that I want to keep my mind open and Hope for the little magic kind of things to be true is lingering in my soul. As this book points out through various examples, is some things that we as humans tend to believe are far-fetch or something that was caught on in the way of contagiousness from other people that brought up some hopeful coincidence for lack of better wording.We just like to hold on to having something to believe in. I'm not sure that I'm 100% either way but I really did
enjoy how the author proposed his point of view. Multiple stories from different angles and some exercises that triggered your stance. So many little interesting things that I could not stop reading it despite the fact that I didn't want to face my logic:)
enjoy how the author proposed his point of view. Multiple stories from different angles and some exercises that triggered your stance. So many little interesting things that I could not stop reading it despite the fact that I didn't want to face my logic:)
November 2, 2017
Si bien se nota que fue escrito en 1979 me gustó mucho. Es un pantallazo general sobre la información y la desinformación, las barreras lingüÃsticas, los malos entendidos, la manipulación de la información y la consecuente maleabilidad de la concepción de la realidad para todas las personas, incluso toca la temática de la comunicación entre animales y seres humanos. En estos tiempos en que se cuestiona o interroga a los medios de comunicación masiva acerca de su poder para desvirtuar la realidad en función de sus propios intereses o de sus socios en el poder. Muy interesante y de fácil lectura.
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December 31, 2021It was nearly a half century ago that I read "How Real Is Real?" and as is usual with my book reading, especially after so long a time, I don't remember much if anything about the content. What I remember is finding it very interesting to read.
I read it during the common adolescent time of hoping to grasp the nature of reality and other such grand abstractions. I read this at nearly the same time as I read books by Ronald Laing and Thomas Szasz.
I read it during the common adolescent time of hoping to grasp the nature of reality and other such grand abstractions. I read this at nearly the same time as I read books by Ronald Laing and Thomas Szasz.
September 12, 2019
Der Text ist von 1979. Heute (und morgen) immer noch genauso aktuell. Richtig gutes Buch! In einem Rutsch konnte ich es nicht durchlesen. Dafür musste ich über zu viele Sachen nachdenken. Keine Strandlektüre. Aber Schreibweise für ein wissenschaftliches Buch leicht. Sich in alles reinzudenken dauert. Ist aber megaspannend und bestechend logisch.
In zehn Jahren am besten nochmal lesen.
In zehn Jahren am besten nochmal lesen.
January 23, 2022
Extracto:
Cuanto más extravagante y exagerada es una historia, más dispuesta parece la gente a creer en ella.
En nombre de la tolerancia deberÃamos reclamar el derecho a no tolerar la intolerancia. (Karl Popper)
El futuro es modificable, pero desconocido; el pasado es conocido, pero inmodificable.
De lo que no se puede hablar, se debe callar.
Cuanto más extravagante y exagerada es una historia, más dispuesta parece la gente a creer en ella.
En nombre de la tolerancia deberÃamos reclamar el derecho a no tolerar la intolerancia. (Karl Popper)
El futuro es modificable, pero desconocido; el pasado es conocido, pero inmodificable.
De lo que no se puede hablar, se debe callar.
December 19, 2024
Dieses Buch schien mor teilweise am Thema vorbei. Der Anfang und das Ende waren sehr interessant weil es da um Wahrnehmung, Kommunikation und auch philosophische Aspekte der Wirklichkeit ging, aber in der Mitte des Textes handelt es sich um Tiere und deren Fähigkeit wahrzunehmen und zu kommunizieren und das passte für mich nicht so gut in das Thema.
January 25, 2018
Aunque su libro “El arte de amargarse la vidaâ€� me encantó, éste no me ha gustado. Me ha resultado muy pesado, y cuando habla de la comunicación con extraterrestres al final ya se me ponÃan los ojos en blanco. Se va mucho por las ramas y se hace muy muy pesado. No lo volverÃa a leer.
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January 14, 2020
I've re-read this book many times, over decades. It helps me keep an open mind about certain things. I find this a useful alternative point of view, especially for those of us with scientific and math backgrounds
September 3, 2018
De lo que no se puede hablar, se debe callar.
October 16, 2018
FilosofÃa, matemáticas, fÃsica, comunicación... este libro lo tiene todo y además de forma amena.
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