Matrix Moments

Our Minds Define the World Around Us

Have you ever heard Elon Musk discuss the 50/50 probability that we live in a simulation? Sometimes I witness events that seem too coincidental to be real. For instance, I spotted a dolphin swimming close to shore just one day after telling my Mom I hadn't seen one yet, despite living in Miami for three years. When such coincidences occur, I often attribute them to the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon—the tendency for recently encountered information to appear more frequently in our daily lives. However, these things likely would have happened regardless, and our mind's recency bias makes us more consciously aware of them.Another memorable example from my childhood: After a lengthy family discussion about Coke and sodas, a Coke-branded 18-wheeler drove by as we turned off the highway. Though not incredibly remarkable, it made my jaw drop at the time, and I exclaimed to my brother, "What are the chances? We were JUST talking about that!"These moments exemplify the extent to which our minds define the world around us - a realization that can profoundly influence our lives. As Abraham Lincoln once said, always give your mind something to work on before bed. I firmly believe in the power of empowering our subconscious to better our lives.Conversely, a subconscious left to wander can control us, like the persistent thoughts of an ex-partner that linger for weeks or months. While there may not be a definitive cure, redirecting the subconscious through problem-solving or unresolved issues can be extremely helpful. I often write essay prompts ahead of time and read a few before the one I'm currently writing. Even if I'm not consciously aware of it, I believe this allows my mind to ponder the prompt during idle moments, leading to more thoughtful essays.So, give yourself something to contemplate before bed tonight—a solution to a problem or a challenge you're facing. If your subconscious is anything like mine, you may find the answer you seek.P.S. Just this morning, within 30 steps of leaving my apartment, I saw a Coca-Cola 18-wheeler across the street—just one day after writing this essay. While Coke has become more popular over the past 20 years, perhaps I wouldn't have noticed it if I hadn't written about it the night before. Or maybe, it was there this morning because I wrote about it the night before?