--- content_date: 2020-03-15 feed: "DANIEL_ON_SLOPE" codex_section: "S03" codex_candidate: true source: Scotomaville source_file: 01.03-misperception.pdf chapter: 01.03-misperception total_pdf_pages: 6 volume: v1 title: Misperception monomyth_stage: "02 - Call to Adventure" category: - awareness tags: - misperception - scotoma - storytelling - illusion - perception - blind-spots - emotional-hijacking - self-understanding - critical-thinking - amygdala-hijacking summary: I use the Starbucks sleeve illusion to show how easily we misperceive reality, seeing things the way we are rather than as they truly are. Through this simple exercise I highlight storytelling as a superpower that can persuade or deceive, especially when emotions hijack our logic and reinforce existing beliefs. This chapter invites readers to leave Scotomaville by recognizing their own blind spots and beginning the journey of self-understanding. qr_links: - https://youtu.be/VJeP7MJDfJM - https://youtu.be/fmJrDh2LNNc --- # 01.03-misperception ## Spread 001 [p1–p2] **type:** image_heavy | **img coverage:** L=40% R=11% **heading:** MISPERCEPTION ### Visual description The left page features a large, realistic photograph of two brown corrugated cardboard Starbucks coffee sleeves, each printed with the green siren logo, stacked with slight overlap to emphasize their identical appearance. Above this image is the chapter title “MISPERCEPTION .03” in bold black text, the quote “Would you help? I’m confused. It looks to me like you have a small and a large sleeve…,” and the footer statement “We have superpowers. One of them is storytelling.” The right page shows a dark-background layout with a header “Which sleeve for which cup?” and a clear photograph of four white Starbucks paper cups of increasing sizes (Short, Tall, Grande, Venti) lined up on a metal counter, each bearing the green logo. The sleeve and cup photos are documentary-style stills staged to illustrate the chapter’s point, functioning as a visual metaphor rather than ironic cartoon or diagram. Text blocks on the right explain the four cup sizes versus the two sleeve sizes and frame the barista interaction as a storytelling exercise. The overall spread uses this everyday retail confusion as the central visual anchor for the theme of misperception. ### Left page MISPERCEPTION .03 We have superpowers. One of them is storytelling. V0L 1 AWARENESS “Would you help? I’m confused. It looks to me like you have a small and a large sleeve...” ### Right page Leaving SCOTOMAVILLE 39 I’ve been a Starbucks Patron. So you might expect my visits to be about the coffee. The sleeves create an opportunity to gift a life-changing insight in less than a minute. Here’s the Story: “Excuse me Barista, do you have a moment to clarify my confusion?” B: “Sure, I can help.” “I believe you have three cup sizes; Tall, Grande, Venti. Is that right?” B: “we have 4 cup sizes.” “OK. It looks to me like you have two sleeve sizes for all those cups. So, every time I pull Which sleeve for which cup? Treat your Barista to a fabulous insight about storytelling! Next time you visit a Starbucks, treat the Barista to a wonderful insight. They have four cup sizes and it looks like they only have two sleeve sizes. It’s an illusion blended with an emotionally rich request for help. a sleeve out of the rack, I don’t know which cup it belongs on.” Align the sleeves as in the photo and point... “See, you have a smaller and a larger one. Which one, the small or large, do I put on the Grande cup?” Pointing to either the smaller or larger sleeve... The Barista will react, often saying; “they didn’t teach us that in training!”. Then they usually hand motion to an associate or manager. “Help? Please?” ## Spread 002 [p3–p4] **type:** text_only | **img coverage:** L=23% R=0% **heading:** Leaving SCOTOMAVILLE ### Left page Leaving SCOTOMAVILLE 40 look closely. the sleeves appear to be different. they are the same. I believe I originated this illusion. It demonstrates “We don’t see things the way THEY are; we see things the way WE are!” I also believe storytelling is a superpower. Storytelling has command, at least for now, over emerg ing Artificial Intelligence. Humans can distinguish a ’runny nose’ from ‘smelly feet’. Think about it. Runny nose - smelly feet. AI understands that feet run and noses smell. AI has to be trained on distinction, metaphor, inference, sarcasm and emotion. People use words to persuade, mislead, obscure and bloviate. People are teaching AI. It is simple to tell stories and have people believe something that’s not true. How about AI? There is only one sleeve size. Next time you go into Starbucks, ask your Barista for some help. Share this exercise. The physical sleeves example builds a bridge to discuss more significant challenges whether you choose politics, economics, ecology, health and wellness, sports, or any complex subject. “We don’t see things the way THEY are; we see things the way WE are!” ### Right page Leaving SCOTOMAVILLE 41 Understanding the Power of Stories We’re all captivated by stories, whether we tell them ourselves or eagerly absorb them from others. Our beliefs are often shaped by these narratives, making us susceptible to exaggeration and falsehoods. This susceptibility may stem from our desire for social connection, driven by hormones like oxytocin, or from our need to reinforce previously invested ideas. The Fear of Being Wrong “Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.” - Winston Churchill Many of us grow up in environments where being wrong is associated with shame and judgment. This fear can inhibit our growth, as learning often comes from correcting mistakes. By avoiding error, we become vulnerable to accepting ideas that resonate with our existing beliefs, even when they are not based on truth. Emotions and Vulnerability “The greatest deception men suffer is from their own opinions.” - Leonardo da Vinci Our emotional responses to stories can overpower our logic and reason. This phe nomenon, often referred to as an ‘Amygdala Hijacking,’ can lead us down paths of exploitation and folly. Emotionally rich nar ratives that align with our core beliefs can manipulate us, causing us to invest time and resources in untruths. Story telling is a superpower. Our brains ‘connect’ by sharing stories because our biology makes us vulnerable while aiming to protect us from danger. People, and human trained AI will use it to persuade, lead, long-con, bamboozle and hoodwink. Get out of Scotomaville! WHAT TO LEARN Personal Reflection I’ve experienced the power and pitfalls of these narratives firsthand in various fields, such as ministry, economic development, personal development, small business, and core relationships. I understand how years can be spent volunteering on projects or investing in ideas that turn out to be misguided or false. The Journey to Self-Understanding “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new lands but seeing with new eyes.” - Marcel Proust To overcome our vulnerability to illusions and emotionally rich stories, we must embark on a journey of self-understanding. By recognizing our blind spots, we can transform our life’s obstacles into opportunities, seeing the world with new eyes. ## Spread 003 [p5–p6] **type:** text_only | **img coverage:** L=14% R=15% **heading:** VJeP7MJDfJM **urls:** `https://youtu.be/` `https://youtu.be/` ### Left page YOURT https://youtu.be/VJeP7MJDfJM Assignment: A Challenge to Critical Thinking and Self-Understanding “The unexamined life is not worth living.” - Socrates Step 1: Reflect on the emotional allure of the stories that surround us, recognizing that it can both inspire and deceive. It’s time to temper our acceptance of emotionally charged narratives by increasing our scrutiny. Step 2: Seek balance in your perspectives. Actively search for counter-balancing stories and alternative viewpoints. Don’t allow a compelling narrative to sweep you away without first examining its merit and evidence. Step 3: Contemplate the following questions: • What stories have influenced you, despite having little concrete evidence to support them? • How have emotionally charged tales directly affected your attitude, freedom, or decisions? • Can you recall moments when you were swayed by an argument primarily because it resonated with your existing beliefs or desires? WATCH REFLECT https://youtu.be/fmJrDh2LNNc ### Right page RTURN Have you got a favorite illusion or been duped and want to share your lesson? Scan the code to discuss pattern recognition with other readers and the author. DISCUSS