Are we watching the same thing?

[Robert]

Can two people look at the same object and yet see completely different objects? Doesn't the object have an independent existance outside of our perception? If so, then how can people see something so different when observing the same thing. When arguing over what something is, you wonder how the other person can possible see something different from what you observe. You mentally put yourself in the other person's shoes and try to observe what he observes, but try as you might, you cannot see the thing any different from what you yourself have already observed.

But if you consider that the thing is language, you realize that different people can observe the same piece of writing and yet it appears completely different to each. If I tried to read Hindi text I would be completely lost while millions in India could read this with no problem. We see the same text but interpret it differently because of the wiring in our brain.

I think judgement, reason, logic, emotions, scientific observations, and so much more are dependent on the wiring in our brain. So when two people observe a phenomenon, it can be true that one is reading English while the other is reading Hindi.

[Mr. Nobody]

The thing is connected to a society of observers. As the society evolves into a global society, the perception will merge into one. Until then, we have wars and great misunderstandings because we still come from different "isolated" pockets that see things differently.
I have wrestled with your first assumption for a long time. Does a "thing" trule have reality before it is perceived by an observer (anything that recognizes an environment and interacts with it), or do things exist as waves until defined by the brain. In other words, can the uncertainty principle be applied at the macroscopic scale, even when decoherance forces a more definitive view? Are things only interacting waves of matter/energy until consciousness interpretes them in accordance with experience? Look at your key board for instance. In the microscope, it is basically emtpy space and what we view as solid is electromagnetic forces reflecting each other.
So what is a thing if there is no one there to see it? Only a potential for something, a wondering propability distribution of something.

It is a known fact that the American Indians never "saw" Columbus's ships on the horizon (since that perception was not part of their past experience). Only until inexplicable waves were crashing on the shores were the natives able to open their eyes wide enough to perceive the "alien" from the other side of the world. But then it was too late.
That is, by the way, one reason why I think we have not found extraterrestrial intelligence. They may sit right next to you, but since we do not share the same "upbringing" we cannot "see" them yet.

[Nobody]

I would say that we see objects and text the same because of the wiring in the brain, but interpret them differently because of the learning in the brain. I young child would see a computer screen, the same as anyone, and would say "what dis," until he/she learned to categorize it as a computer screen.

I don't believe in an objective reality, but in a subjective inheritance of reality based in the subconscious, or DNA if you prefer.

[mkirkpatrick]

The answer could very well be yes,we are watching the same thing,the problem arises
when you ask for an account of whats been seen,and for several individuals to give their
interpretation of the sighting?

I often have to write reports at work,and some of these are with regard hostile or violent
behaviour,now what I write is often seen differently by my colleagues,we see the same
event,but slant it accordingly to our inner perceptions,and our past experiences in maybe
similar circumstances.

The Chinese whisper experiment is a classic example of this behaviour.

regards michael.