You have heard it said that the definition of insanity is “doing the same thing over and over again expecting the results to change.”  But, no.  That would be a symptom of insanity.  The definition of insanity is “a pathological delta (difference) between one’s perception of one’s environment and the objective reality of one’s environment.”  If you believe tiny mechanical roaches are burrowing you’re your skin, but no such thing is happening, your perception has differed from objective reality pathologically.  What’s the key operative word here, though?  “Pathologically,” meaning, “to an extent which produces a defect or disease,” or “to an extent which inhibits one’s ability to survive without medical assistance.”  It’s all a matter of degree.

This is crucial because it is universal to the human condition to have a delta between one’s perceptions and reality.  No one sees the truth of what is before him, no one’s perceptions are truly accurate.  We could say that most people’s delta falls below the threshold of the pathological.

We could also, and perhaps better, say that everyone is a little bit insane.  This is a better way to frame the situation because if there’s one thing you should always remember, it is that you are always wrong, and if there’s one thing to which you should dedicate your life, it should be the perpetual pursuit of being just a little bit less wrong.  This for moral reasons, but also because he who best perceives reality can best adapt to it.  The more insane you are, the more likely you are to die miserable and early.