Experiences are Devious Yet Real

Reality, not truth, is based on experience. But experience is easily fooled, as is perspective.

The smell test (known as Occam’s razor in academia and “if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck” in kindergarten) is simultaneously the best tool and a complete charlatan.

It’s the best tool for reality, but a charlatan for truth. 

But it’s usually a good place to start.