The paradox of truth in the context of privacy arises where lying is not always unjustified, or even unproductive.
Sometimes, lying is downright forgivable, even necessary.
Anonymity and pseudonymity, for example, are forms of lying. But in these cases, untruth protects the truth. The “lie” is IRL armor; shielding a true identity.
Everybody lies about what’s going on inside their heads.
“How are things?”
“Great!”
The initial question often feigns interest. The nicest ensuing answers can feign reality, or at least, obscure nastier truths, if needed. “I’m great” may be a lie, but it’s what the other person (hopefully) wants to believe is true. The remaining interaction’s tone is predicated by the answer.
You really only have 3 options with, “How are things?” So maybe it’s not the best example lol
> “Great”
> “Not so good, actually.”
> “Oh, you know.”
No truth is a lie, but all lies are true, in that they are always true to themselves.
“This statement is a lie,” is not a lie.
I’ve been deceived a few times. I’ve deceived others. If I’m lucky, maybe the ratio’s 1:1. We all learn to lie. We all learn to embellish. Most of it in service of living our mythology. Who doesn’t want to live the grandest vision of themselves?
Most of my friends are eyeball-deep in politics. That’s okay – they effect a lot of good. Some of them, though, overpay – and not just in time, money, influence, or etc. Their true price is to believe 1/2 the world is a lie. Or, at least, that half the world believes all the lies.
I understand why people would walk through life that way. There’s no greater salve to everyday chaos than to create right and wrong in every decision.
> “What kind of milk, Westy?! What KIND?!!! FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DECIDE NOW!!!!”
When you deceive yourself into a wrong decision, are you living a lie for the rest of your life? Every decision you make after that moment is in the context of the original deception. In the end, however, there are really only 3 consequences to any decision. Will you live…
> with yourself?
> for yourself?
> by yourself?
So is it oat or soy or cow?
What’s true to you?
