Landscape artists quickly learn that incorporating distant objects appear small in relation to those closer to the observer. Buildings, people, even mountains shrink. A straight stretch of road or railroad tracks, for instance, appear to shrink and converge as they recede although they actually remain the same size and parallel. This apparent contradiction between sight and physical reality is called “perspective.”
The term is also used when explaining discrepancies between individuals who form different opinions from a common set of facts. This may be due to age, experience and preconceived ideas of faith, family or social affiliations.
A difference of perspective can often lead to misunderstandings and hostility rather than fruitful discussions of differences. In the current political realm, social media has contributed to echo chambers that amplify points of contention rather than encourage meaningful dialogue. Although new ideas, concepts and designs are the hallmarks of a vigorous and energetic society, a solid foundation and strength relies on time-tested experience and historical precedent. Without a complete picture and knowledge of past efforts – successes and failures – perspective is lost. It would be like painting a pastoral scene in which grazing horses in a foreground are small and a building in the background is huge. It would not make sense. For those with decades of observations, political cycles and similar situations may be apparent and confusing when others without similar lifespans have difficulty understanding impending opportunities or disasters.
It is up to each of us to use our perspective as a window of opportunity and revelation rather than a sword of animosity and challenge.
“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”
- Wayne Dyer