Oddbean

don't we all, to some extent, 'sacrifice reality' to 'protect the delusions of others'? even to protect our *own* delusions? even those of us committed to truth and authenticity do it at times. seems pretty natural to me. forcing others to cater to our delusions is a different problem tho. noone has the right to force their delusions on others imho

Do you have an example? I personally think people are sustainably successful & happy with themselves to the exact degree that they can avoid doing such things. I think the more lies we build into our relationship with ourselves & others the more we trap ourselves & damage our outlook on life.

oh i totally agree with your belief, and it's something I work to in every moment, I just think it's impossible to be entirely truthful with ourselves at all times. our subconscious is a wiley ol thing. like, we always think we're the 'good guy' but sometimes, after a bit of deliberation, we realise we were being a bit selfish, or a bit fixed-minded, or had gotten too stuck with an idea or identity to see that it was no longer truthful. it's a subtle and ephemeral thing, living truthfully. for me, recognising that it's impossible to achieve 100% of the time makes it easier for me to recognise and accept when i've strayed from the path.

What you are describing sounds like a far cry from the internal state of someone who wants to cut off their dick & take synthetic hormones to make the world match their crazy thoughts, and from anyone who wants to help them do that. A lack of perfection doesn't really make crazy deluded people less crazy.