Synchronicity

How our perceived relevance of information shapes our view of the world

Welcome!

“When you stop existing and you start truly living, each moment of the day comes alive with the wonder and synchronicity.”

~ Steve Maraboli ~

We all have those years that have an extra-large impact on our lives. For me, 1983 was one of those years. A new town, a new college, a new job, new friends, and several decisions that shaped my future.

One memory that stands out was the release of The Police’s Synchronicity album. I was well read for my age but I had not heard the term “synchronicity” before. Carl Jung had coined the German version of the word (Synchronizität). His definition changed over time but its generally understood to describe the seeming connection of two experiences with no causal relationship.

Humans are, by nature, pattern seeking and frequently see meaning in these moments of connecting unrelated experiences. Jung saw this as phenomena that supported his belief in the parapsychology. In the following years science could not verify any paranormal connection but many psychologists have found that, in mild doses, the connecting of unconnected information could be a useful adaptation tool for the brain and a useful therapeutic target.

In 1972, a Hungarian-born author, Arthur Koestler, published a book titled The Roots of Coincidence exploring parapsychology concepts (including synchronicity) and their possible usefulness in physics. The frontman of The Police, Sting, was enamored by the book; using several concepts from the book in lyrics for several songs on the Synchronicity album.

Synchronicity went on to be the band’s biggest release, selling millions of records, and earning numerous awards. It’s been voted one of the greatest rock albums of all time. It also ended up being the last studio album released by the band. The Roots of Coincidence bubbled into the pop culture, including in V is for Vendetta, but in the 50 years since physics has continued to explain with research what Koestler tried to explain with parapsychology.

Jung’s synchronicity can be, at least partially, explained by the Frequency Bias/Illusion which is also known as the Baader–Meinhof phenomenon. It’s a cognitive bias where we tend to notice matches to something thats rumbling around in our brain. You may have experienced this when you purchased a new car; suddenly you will see the same model all around you as you drive.

As we’ve discussed before, the brain has a limited capacity to take in all the information it is exposed to. To compensate, the brain ignores what it believes is irrelevant, reserving the brain’s processing for analyzing only that which has a relevance to us. This is why you don’t consciously recall seeing a vehicle model before you owned it, but do recall seeing it after your purchase. Jung and Koestler, seeking an explanation for suddenly noticing unconnected but repeating patterns, theorized there was parapsychology explanation; not as an artifact of how the brain stores and recalls information.

“A connecting principle
Linked to the invisible
Almost imperceptible
Something inexpressible
Science insusceptible
Logic so inflexible
Causally connectible
Nothing is invincible”

~ Sting (Gordon Sumner) ~

Despite the error, the concept of synchronicity has value. Psychologists, following up on Jung, find it useful as it gives a clue into what the mind perceives as relevant. Influenced by Jung and Koestler, The Police’s album Synchronicity went on to become one of the greatest rock albums of all times and an artistic masterpiece. And in 1983, I was introduced to one of my favorite albums of all time and first learned of the term synchronicity; which I’m now using over 40-years later to introduce the concept of a cognitive bias named the Baader–Meinhof phenomenon. (Because these events are causally linked, they aren’t an example of synchronicity.)

Finale

This cognitive bias shapes our understanding of the world. We don’t notice/remember that which isn’t relevant to us, while those who do see relevance have a very different experience. We see this in many societal conflicts where Group A sees no significant problem while affected Group B sees/remembers constant reinforcements to their concerns. Some Group A members will explain the difference in perceptions as being due to irrationality, mental illness, dishonesty, and hidden motives. Some Group B members will explain the difference in perceptions due to malevolent intent, stupidity, dishonesty, and hidden motives.

In leadership, whether it be business or government, this cognitive bias can lead to missing growing problems or overestimating value and risk. The best anecdote to this bias, aside from recognizing that it exists, is to listen openly to those who describe a different perception and work to understand why the difference exists.

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Your friend,

DJ