I think one’s theory of reality is shaped more by subconscious/latent consumption of the same ideas repeated over time, as opposed to any individual thing (eg book, relationship, event) having an outsized impact

Not to say latter category has no effect but just at scale former tends to overpower

That's a fascinating point. It makes me wonder how our everyday media diet and the patterns we don't consciously notice might gradually sculpt our worldview. It's like gentle rain over time shaping a landscape, while individual storms carve distinct but smaller paths.