In John Scalzi's "The Collapsing Empire," a character named Attavio VI reflects on the nature of the human brain. He points out that our minds naturally seek out patterns and connections, even when there are none present. This tendency facilitates a kind of false narrative, where our brains create stories to make sense of the chaos around us.

This insight suggests that human cognition is inherently flawed, as it is predisposed to fabricating realities. Attavio VI emphasizes that this built-in propensity to deceive both ourselves and others is an intrinsic aspect of how our brains function, compelling us to accept the lies we craft.