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Brie Stark's picture

When we discussed the

When we discussed the optical illusions -- for example, the skull that could also be seen as a woman with a mirror (but was, in reality, just light and dark) -- I was intrigued by the fact that each of us perceived the image differently, and also perceived the changing of the image differently.  I personally saw the skull first and could not see the woman until it was pointed out.  As soon as it had been pointed out, however, I could unconsciously switch between seeing the two images.  This lead me to think: is this how social norms/ideals are contradictory?  Society seems to have a conception that we must all conform to a specific ideal -- example, skinny in terms of body weight -- and yet, with this simple optical illusion example, we see that everyone perceives the world differently.  Therefore, a "social norm" or an "ideal" can't possibly exist; each person perceives their surroundings because of their beliefs, expectations or experiences.  There isn't "one way to see it," because constructs (as we discussed) depend upon the aforementioned things, like experience.  Following this line of thought, if everyone perceives the world differently, there doesn't seem to be a clear-cut line between "right and wrong" or "incorrect or ideal" or even "disabled or able-bodied."

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