You’re Such A Liar! July 27, 2017
Posted by nrhatch in Books & Movies, Happiness, Humor, People.trackback
Turns out that scientists (with actual credentials) have discovered that we’re all liars.
It’s part of being human:
Researchers speculate that lying as a behavior arose not long after the emergence of language. The ability to manipulate others without using physical force likely conferred an advantage in the competition for resources and mates, akin to the evolution of deceptive strategies in the animal kingdom, such as camouflage. “Lying is so easy compared to other ways of gaining power,” notes Sissela Bok, an ethicist at Harvard University who’s one of the most prominent thinkers on the subject. “It’s much easier to lie in order to get somebody’s money or wealth than to hit them over the head or rob a bank.”
Most people lie every day.
More than once.
We lie to protect our imaginary and fragile reputations (think Trump), to protect the feelings of others, to convince our kids that Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy exist, to get jobs, to win games, to influence people, to get our kids to eat their vegetables, etc.
Sometimes we even lie to ourselves.
To read more:
For an amusing look at what life was like BEFORE the invention of lying, check out The Invention of Lying:
Aah . . . that’s better!
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Spirit Lights The Way 
Love the movie trailer Nancy! It brings it right home 😆
Fabulous movie!
Lying is a funny thing. When you tell a lie to “protect” someone, you lie to yourself by saying it’s the right thing to do. However, we all do it. Can’t imagine telling anyone they look fat in those pants.
Sometimes when asked, I reply “Honest answer?” . . . if they say “yes,” I let ’em have the “unvarnished truth.”
Honesty is not always appreciated. 😀
I have no guts to tell someone (even if they want to know) that their butt is too big. I usually slither with things like, “that style doesn’t seem to be as attractive for you as others.” Or some other milk toast thing. No, honesty isn’t always appreciated.
OK. I’ll varnish the truth a little to keep the peace!
I’ve never seen that trailer before! And the movie came out eight years ago! Wow!
I remember my parents telling us about Santa Claus. I also remember being disappointed and betrayed when I found out the truth.
It’s a fabulous movie, LM! Funny and thought provoking.
When I realized that “Santa” would not stop by our house once my younger sister got wind of the “charade,” I encouraged her to “pretend” to B~E~L~I~E~V~E. 😀
No need to watch the movie. I read the book. You believe me, right?
Of course . . . {wink} {wink} {nudge} {nudge}.
How did I miss that movie? It looks hilarious!
The movie is fantastic! Enjoy!
The movie looks like fun. Not lying.
It’s entertaining and thought-provoking!
Here’s a question. The Commandment doesn’t say, “Never lie.” What it says is, “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.”
That means don’t lie to harm somebody. That could obviously get you in very serious trouble.
On the other hand, it doesn’t say that it’s all right to lie to help him; but that can also get you in very serious trouble.
Sometimes the best way to stay out of trouble is to just keep your mouth shut.
Silence is the better part of valor, eh?
I wonder whether those scientists were lying 🙂
Haha! Good point, Eric.
Interesting perspective – lying and manipulation are better than ‘duking it out’ in the old days. Hmmm, I get that. I remember being told ‘fibbing’ isn’t as bad as lying. HA!
Case in point ~> the Middle Ages were filled with political intrigue, master manipulators, and machinations.
If fibbing isn’t as bad as lying, we could also have varying gradients for scheming, schemes, plotting, plots, intrigues, conspiracies, ruses, tricks, wiles, stratagems, tactics, maneuvering. 😀
That’s a movie I’d like to see! I think to press the point that we all lie is that my first thought was “I don’t.” Until you began citing examples…I guess I do! LOL!
The movie is such a fun look at people to people interactions since you get to see how different life would be if EVERYONE told the truth ALL THE TIME.