Choosing what to believe in

Here's something weird. Many of us believe in science, in facts, in empirical evidence, in experts who did the work of uncovering the truth. It makes sense. We should let logic prevail in most cases. And yet we don't.

Does belief in science compel us to act?

We have scientific, incontrovertible evidence that smoking shortens our lives, and they often end badly, that alcohol is a neurotoxin that kills our neurons, or at least decreases brain volume, and that exercise is the single best intervention to have longer, healthier lives.

But what do we do? We still smoke. We drink to numb our worries. We would rather sit on the couch with our phones than do some squats.

Belief doesn't compel us to act, but it should. Perhaps we believe in something else. We believe in the high we get from smoking, the pleasure we get from drinking beer or whiskey, or the relaxation we get from sitting on our couches.

Yes, we choose what to believe in. We choose our reality.

What reality do we want for ourselves?