In physics, Einstein’s theory of relativity taught us a profound truth: there is no absolute simultaneity. What appears simultaneous to one observer may not appear simultaneous to another. Each observer, moving at different velocities or located differently in spacetime, possesses a uniquely personal “now.” Reality itself is fundamentally relative, and this relativity is built into the structure of our universe.

Extending this idea into the realm of consciousness and human subjectivity reveals a striking analogy: just as there is no absolute simultaneity in physical reality, there is no absolute shared subjectivity in human consciousness. Each person perceives, experiences, and interprets reality through a uniquely personal and subjective lens shaped by their history, biology, emotions, values, and context. No two individuals can ever fully share or experience precisely the same subjective reality.

This idea can be vividly captured by imagining each person’s consciousness as occupying a “resonance-cone,” analogous to the “light-cone” in relativity. In physics, an individual’s “light-cone” represents the region of spacetime events they can influence or be influenced by. Similarly, each person’s “resonance-cone” represents the subset of other consciousnesses with whom they can meaningfully connect and communicate. Individuals whose resonance-cones strongly overlap—such as close friends, life partners, or empathetic colleagues—share profound understanding and resonance, allowing deep and meaningful connections to flourish.

Conversely, individuals whose resonance-cones barely overlap or fail to overlap at all—such as people from entirely different cultures, languages, or intellectual contexts—experience profound challenges in communication and empathy. Their subjective experiences appear foreign and inaccessible to one another, akin to observers moving so differently through spacetime that their experiences of “now” cannot meaningfully synchronize.

This existential relativism highlights a crucial insight: genuine, absolute mutual understanding is impossible. Human relationships and communities are instead built on partial overlaps of resonance-cones, continuously working to bridge gaps in language, culture, values, and personal experiences. Conflict and misunderstanding naturally emerge when resonance-cones fail to meaningfully intersect, leading to deeply felt intersubjective disagreements.

Jean-Paul Sartre’s existential philosophy resonates deeply with this idea. Sartre emphasizes the fundamental isolation and uniqueness of individual consciousness—each human is irrevocably “alone” in their subjective experience. Yet, from this isolation emerges the meaningfulness and value of human relationships, founded precisely on the effort to partially bridge these isolated worlds. Sartre’s “Look”—the experience of feeling observed, understood, or judged by another consciousness—captures precisely the moment two resonance-cones intersect meaningfully, creating moments of profound intersubjective resonance and recognition.

In short, just as Einstein’s relativity demonstrates that physical reality lacks absolute simultaneity, human consciousness reveals a parallel existential truth: subjective reality lacks absolute intersubjectivity. Our shared human experience emerges not from perfect unity, but from the ongoing, imperfect, yet deeply meaningful attempt to bridge and resonate across unique subjective realities.