If the truth shall set us free, why do we lie so much...? In politics, in business, even to ourselves...?
As usual, Mark Twain to the rescue. The old cynic learned his cynicism the hard way. By living a long life. Near the end of it he said something only a liar will dispute: "A man will do many things to get himself loved; he will do everything to get himself envied."
Most people would stop there and just try to internalize this uncomfortable truth. But not Dr Kang Lee of Toronto University. Wouldn't you know it, the good doctor came up with conclusions that question Twain's ornery wisdom. Instead of finding lies a debit, his research suggests it's an asset. Apparently the earlier a child begins using convincing lies, the more likely will he be successful in life. Why? Because better lying "...indicates better cognitive development."
All of which raises this question: Was America busy lying to itself during the second half of the 20th C? During all those years of peace and power and prosperity? Today's generation often report the hypocrisy of their parents and grandparents generations. Back when radio, movies and television filled our lives with happy little lies like: Truth always prevails...goodness always wins....honor is always respected...love is always fulfilled.
To listen & watch those old programs today -- radio's soap operas & kid shows, MGM's Andy Hardy & Doris Day fluff, television's "Father Knows Best" & "Happy Days" -- is either to gag on the gush or maybe to envy the exuberance. At first, today's smarter tougher young parents are likely to gag. Until, that is, they find themselves preaching some of the very same values to their own children. As one mother put it: "How I wish this were still the time when I could let my kids play all day long wherever they wanted, ride buses anywhere they cared, then come home to an unlocked front door...!"
Is it possible that those so-called hypocritical lies were really hopeful ideals? Ideals that, even when not reached, helped light up a slightly better safer world? Aiming just a little higher than we can grab still has the advantage of making us reach just a little more than we might. And that's no lie...
As usual, Mark Twain to the rescue. The old cynic learned his cynicism the hard way. By living a long life. Near the end of it he said something only a liar will dispute: "A man will do many things to get himself loved; he will do everything to get himself envied."
Most people would stop there and just try to internalize this uncomfortable truth. But not Dr Kang Lee of Toronto University. Wouldn't you know it, the good doctor came up with conclusions that question Twain's ornery wisdom. Instead of finding lies a debit, his research suggests it's an asset. Apparently the earlier a child begins using convincing lies, the more likely will he be successful in life. Why? Because better lying "...indicates better cognitive development."
All of which raises this question: Was America busy lying to itself during the second half of the 20th C? During all those years of peace and power and prosperity? Today's generation often report the hypocrisy of their parents and grandparents generations. Back when radio, movies and television filled our lives with happy little lies like: Truth always prevails...goodness always wins....honor is always respected...love is always fulfilled.
To listen & watch those old programs today -- radio's soap operas & kid shows, MGM's Andy Hardy & Doris Day fluff, television's "Father Knows Best" & "Happy Days" -- is either to gag on the gush or maybe to envy the exuberance. At first, today's smarter tougher young parents are likely to gag. Until, that is, they find themselves preaching some of the very same values to their own children. As one mother put it: "How I wish this were still the time when I could let my kids play all day long wherever they wanted, ride buses anywhere they cared, then come home to an unlocked front door...!"
Is it possible that those so-called hypocritical lies were really hopeful ideals? Ideals that, even when not reached, helped light up a slightly better safer world? Aiming just a little higher than we can grab still has the advantage of making us reach just a little more than we might. And that's no lie...
For me this says it all!!
ReplyDeleteLong long overdue....
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