When Ideology Replaces Reality
Updated: 2 days ago
By: Stuart Knight (Founder and CEO) | October 7, 2026
Having a strong belief in something is a powerful thing, until it is not. If your belief in something moves you forward in positive ways where you make decisions, take action and show up for the betterment of humanity, I say keep going! However, if your beliefs have become so rigid and unmoveable to the point where you are no longer able to distinguish between what is real, and what is not, I would advise you to take a pause.
I say that because when a person is no longer attached to reality, they become dangerous in what they might think, say or do. A somewhat sensational, and yet fair example is that of a person suffering from paranoid schizophrenia. In their mind, what they hear and see is very real. You might not hear the voice urging them to do something malicious, or see that "person" lurking in the bushes, but they certainly do. Sadly, it often leads them to act in a way that is not good for themselves or society.
However, what if a mild version of that exists within all of us? What if we are all susceptible to running stories in our head long enough to believe something so wholeheartedly that it influences us to act in ways that are not good for anyone? I ask this question because of a conversation I overheard this week that stopped me in my tracks and caused me great concern for my fellow human beings.
Four young men, in their late twenties, sat behind me in a restaurant talking loud enough for me to overhear what they were saying. At one point they were discussing the recent stabbing that took place on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, where a man tried to kill his co-pilot with the goal of intentionally crashing the plane. Ultimately, he wanted to kill as many innocent jewish people as possible. However, while retelling the story, the person at the table who hadn’t heard about this news asked, “So, are you saying there was like a “bad guy” pilot who was trying to kill the “good guy” pilot”. To which his friend responded, “Well, define bad guy”.
As I’m sure any sane person reading this can understand, I had to ask myself whether I heard that correctly, but sure enough this guy repeated it again leaving me with no doubt. Now obviously, the fact that this person could not see an individual who tries to take the life of another as being bad is troubling to say the least. And knowing that it would have potentially been the lives of 173 people, had he been successful, makes his inability to see the difference between right and wrong even more terrifying.
However, it makes a person wonder just how delusional anyone can become if they believe strongly enough in an idea? If this young man, who seemed quite normal and intelligent, could not see murder as being a bad thing, then what other things is he capable of believing? Could he see his boss as being someone not worth listening to based on who he chooses to vote for? Could he not justify having an affair with another person if he believes strongly enough that his wife doesn’t love him? Could he drive twice the speed limit if he believes that rules are not for his actual safety, but rather an insidious deep state plan to control him?
I guess the short answer is yes. Like the rest of us, this young man is capable of believing in any idea to the point where common sense goes out the window. This is why I think there is a fine line between having meaningful convictions and having a meaningful life. If your convictions are so powerful that they take over your sense of reality, you risk living a very unfortunate life.
If you think your boss is incompetent because of who he votes for, and for that reason shouldn’t be listened to, you risk losing your livelihood. If you interpret your wife’s recent withdrawal as her not loving you, and thus entitling you to an affair, you risk losing your family. If you believe speed limits only exist to control you, you risk losing your life. Strong beliefs are necessary and important, but only if they are tested. The most powerful beliefs are those that have been smashed around multiple times and yet still remain intact. And beliefs that don’t go through the same beating have real potential to harm you.
Knowing that, before you act, say or do something based on a belief you have, make sure you pause and ask yourself if the belief is real. That one simple question will force your brain to begin one of its most important functions, which is to debate itself. And by the end of that debate you will find yourself able to make decisions that are based in fact, not fiction. And that’s when you will see one way of living is very different from the other.
Much Love,
Stuart
PS. We happen to have a pretty strong belief that events should be designed around human connection—not just logistics. We’ve tested that belief enough to create the Hypha Standard. Check it out.
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