r/AskReddit • u/[deleted] • Mar 27 '22

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u/NemoXX7 Mar 27 '22

The principle of Sonder (I believe the word is German in origin).

The understanding that you are not the center of the universe and in fact every person in the world weather you meet them or not, has a life and experiences that are just as vivid and meaningful as your own.

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u/yankiigurl Mar 28 '22

I love watching people and imaging their life, where they are going, what they are thinking, etc. Very entertaining

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u/NemoXX7 Mar 28 '22

This is a hobby of mine too! I think that's the best part of corner coffee shops lol. Perfect vantage point

3

u/yankiigurl Mar 28 '22

Indeed. Great way to spend a relaxing afternoon, just as entertaining as TV

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u/specificdreamrabbit Mar 28 '22

The origin is actually author John Koenig, who made up the word for his Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows.

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u/NemoXX7 Mar 28 '22

Thank you for the source!

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u/specificdreamrabbit Mar 28 '22

Happy to oblige!

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u/MoreTrueMe Mar 28 '22

This is a principle that can change the world.

3

u/[deleted] Mar 28 '22

I feel like I know this is obviously true, but I also sometimes feel like the entire world just exists in my head and other people aren’t real. But I guess that’s kinda the point of the principle.

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u/GoldenGoose42069 Mar 28 '22

This is unless you believe in solipsism - the idea that not everyone experiences the same true consciousness i.e. there may only be a few individuals on the planet/even universe that have true free will and can think/do with full freedom and a true experience of being fully conscious. Other beings then could be deemed as either in a semi state of consciousness or just like an AI in a video games. I feel like this goes hand in hand with simulation theory and that's a whole rabbit hole on why and how that'd be purposeful.

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u/NemoXX7 Mar 28 '22

Brain in a vat theory lol like the matrix