Perception Really Is Reality

I'm intrigued by the constant stream of 'news' and information regarding the state of not just the U.S., but also the global economy. When you really start to drill down and think about it, how much of what you read and hear is actually factual information, as opposed to opinion?

It's that constant stream of negative opinion, in my humble opinion, that is having great bearing on our current economic state. I'm not an economist, but when you think about it, if everything you hear about the economy is negative in tone, does that inspire you to spend any of your money? Granted, certain facts are indisputable, namely, all of the bad mortage loans various financial institutions made the past few years. That created problems, sure. But when you look at what's happened overall, it's mainly the perception by many that things are so bad, or, more so, going to "continue to get worse before they get better," as many pundits, so-called experts, even President Obama for that matter, proclaim, rather than facts, or reality, that's keeping the economy from recovering right now.

Separate fear and opinions from facts, and maybe the reality isn't as bad as some insist on making it appear to be.

I share this because a lot of what PR practitioners do is create positive perceptions. When people feel good about something, they're bound to follow it, spend money to buy it, view it, etc., etc. You get the picture.

When people's perception of the economy is that it's turning around/becoming better, only then will things actually, in fact, become better. People, businesses large and small, including banks, all need to feel the economy is getting better before they'll start spending money, loaning money, and thinking positive again. Fact is, until all of those parties actually start spending and loaning money, nothing will change.

Like I said, perception really is reality.