A Conversation on Perception and Existence So I had this interesting conversation with a good friend of mine on Skype and I thought if I post it here it might be of value to some curious minds. Sheng: Will your existence be affected due to others' perceptions of you? Madden: yes, of course Madden: reality is what's agreed upon Sheng: If you see yourself not as one, but two, then what's agreed upon can be entirely up to yourself Madden: only within, not outside of Sheng: Unless you choose to conform to your larger surroudings, you still reserve the option of keeping everything your way. Madden: on some levels that's true Madden: on other levels it doesn't work very well and other things come into play Sheng: It's true as long as you are determined Madden: if you ain't determined you're dead Sheng: ''Determined'' here is more about commitment. Madden: more about who is driving the bus, you or somebody else Sheng: I don't drive a bus; I'm good with riding a bike. Madden: you know what I mean