True or False?

Howdy,

Last week we discussed web3's goal to decentralize power from large entities.

This included a game on web2 - the list of winners can be found below!

This week, we're talking truth.

The genius of truth

I've been reading a book on faith called The Genius of Jesus by Erwin Raphael McManus. McManus actually attended my alma mater, Elon University (go Phoenix).

This book approaches Jesus' contributions to society the way in which we would approach the autobiography of a modern-day genius such as da Vinci, Franklin, Musk, etc.

McManus says the key difference between the genius of Jesus rather than the genius of another is that the genius of Jesus is transferrable.

We cannot transform ourselves to capture the genius intellect of da Vinci, the genius discipline of Franklin, or the genius tenacity of Musk, but we can transform ourselves to capture Jesus' genius of empathy, power, grace, what is good, what is truth, and what is beautiful.

Photo of McManus from an article on The Genius of Jesus (Relevant magazine)

The difference between truth and true

In an era of fake news, alternative facts, and cancellation, what does it mean for truth to be transferable? We must differentiate truth from what is true.

Being true = intention

Truth = accuracy

The order of operations is key here.

Truth is transferable if we focus on what is true (intention) first, then delve into truth (accuracy) second.

Making what is true tangible

I love diving into the abstract to derive new ways of thinking, but I recognize that remaining in the abstract without application is fruitless (and vice versa).

To derive what is true, ask yourself "Am I true?" by addressing these questions:

• What is my intention towards others?

• Do I only wish good toward others, even those who wish me harm?

• Are my words and my actions so aligned that I live in truth?

We are not perfect. If we consistently ask ourselves these questions, we will uncover answers that we will not always be proud of.

But it is better to know one's self and address what is false within than to ignore one's self and pretend to be true. 

The truth matrix

The universe is more complicated than a 2x2 matrix, but I hope this image I've designed helps you consider the potential outcomes of what we've discussed here today.

• Lower-left - Someone who is false (bad intentions) and speaks false (inaccurate)

• Upper-left - Someone who is false (bad intentions) but speaks truth (accurate)

• Upper-right - Someone who is true (good intentions) and speaks truth (accurate)

• Lower-right - Someone who is true (good intentions), but speaks false (inaccurate)

May we all do the hard work of self-reflection upon our intentions, uncover what is accurate, and move ourselves into the upper-right quadrant.

Last week's web2 winners

Answers are bolded below.

1. Information exchange where users aggregate based upon offline connection/similar interests and create/consume user-generated content (text, images, videos). (Facebook)

2. Peer-to-peer marketplace that connects people to transportation based upon a rating system which indicates the safety of doing business and facilitates secure payment. (Uber)

3. Internet of Things (IoT) technology that will connect multiple devices throughout the user's household so that they talk to one another via verbal command from the homeowner. (Amazon Alexa)

Thanks for reading

Go build something with intention,

Josh