Tru(e)man or Not? Escaping the Show of Shoulds

Today marked Day 2 of our Critical Thinking class – Day 1 for me, technically, since I missed yesterday’s session. We began with a much-needed recap and explored foundational concepts like opinion, belief, attitude, and their subtle yet significant differences. Two powerful words emerged: skepticism and gullibility. Little did I know, these weren’t just vocabulary words – they were lenses I’d need for what came next.

We watched The Truman Show.

I had seen this movie years ago, but watching it again now – with the weight of lived experience – felt like I was watching an entirely different film. Or perhaps, for the first time, I was watching myself.

Truman’s world is controlled – constructed meticulously to keep him safe, compliant, and content. As I observed his arc, I couldn’t help but reflect on my own internal “producers”: beliefs and fears that script how I behave in areas like religion, relationships, and career. How many decisions have I made because of comfort, or worse, control disguised as comfort?

But amidst all the artificiality in Truman’s world, love cut through like a glitch in the matrix. That one sincere connection – free of the show’s control – planted the first seed of doubt in him. Isn’t that how it works for us too? One real connection, one truthful moment, and the whole illusion starts to crack.

The ending stayed with me long after the screen went black. As Truman walks off the set, reclaiming his autonomy, the two security guards casually ask, “What else is on?”
That line hit hard.

How often do we live in fear of being judged, controlled, or watched? But people only stay tuned in if we keep broadcasting. When we stop performing, they stop watching. And maybe – just maybe – that’s not a bad thing.

Today’s class didn’t just teach me terms. It asked me to question the set I might be unknowingly living on. And I’m now more curious than ever about the sessions ahead.

The real question is:
Am I the star of my life, or just another actor in someone else’s script?