Almost nothing is objectively true

Derek Sivers said this in a recent podcast episode:

Almost nothing is objectively true.

Here’s what’s true: my hand is on the table.

What’s not true is “It’s good to do everything in moderation.”

Here’s what’s not true: “Family is everything.”

Here’s what’s not true: “My mother abandoned me.”

Here’s what’s not true: “AI is the future.”

So all of these things, people say them as if they’re true. Or even when people make an excuse, like “I would be more successful if it weren’t for my family or my location or whatever.” People say these things as if they’re indisputably true facts.

But to me, the only things that are true are the things that both a cat and an octopus would agree on.

Derek Sivers

That’s the first of his four points which he calls “Useful Not True.” …here are all four together:

1. Almost nothing is objectively true.
2. Beliefs are placebos. You’ve got to believe whatever works for you.
3. Rules and norms are arbitrary games that can be changed.
4. Refuse ideology. You need to accept ideas individually.

And one more quote which gets to the rub:

Since no beliefs are true, I think this is liberating to realize that you can just choose whatever belief works for you now that helps you be who you want to be.

This is about personal empowerment. If a certain belief will help you be who you want to be right now, you don’t need to keep believing it tomorrow. You could believe it for three minutes or three days or the rest of your life.

You’re going to find what you look for. So if you choose to believe something, you’ll find evidence to support your belief of anything.

Derek Sivers

Related posts:

• A thought is little more than nothing
• How you feel is your fault
• Don’t take ANYTHING personally, even good stuff
• Your labels expire
• Feelings aren’t all for feeling
• The key to happiness is to stop getting upset all the dang time
• The stories we tell ourselves
• Have you considered not caring as much?
• “Wear the world like a loose garment”