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Writer's pictureRichard Lipscombe

The minimalist files


Here, there, and everywhere.

Don't lie to yourself.



The truth is we are all caught up in a swirl, cascade, or maze of lies [see photo]. What?


Most use the lies they tell others to remain connected to their job, family, or community. The reason they do this is that everyone is telling lies to everyone else. Lies make the world go around today. For example, one of the most prominent lies today is that "Ukraine is winning" the war against Russia. Despite the fact that NATO, EU, USA, Britain, etc have thrown everything at Russia [economic sanctions, pipeline destruction, missiles, etc] the claim Ukraine is winning and regime change in Moscow is imminent is a blatant lie.


The strategy behind most lies today seems to be to tell "the big one". Tell the world the "big lie" and then deny you ever said it. This strategy works. One simple test of that claim is that few, if any, answer the question "what is a woman?" without obfuscation. Within this global environment the "big lie" rules. The process is to tell a story that is not true but effectively deflects everyone's attention from the truth [a women is an adult female human].


In "a world of lies" it might be prudent to lie to those around you. Of course this can become a complex venture. Just keeping track of all your lies and their interdependence, or interconnectedness, can become very difficult. Thus most people like to tell one "big lie" and either defend it or deny they ever said it. Telling the "big lie" provides you with the shield of deniability [I never said that] whereas telling a series of "small lies" can trip you up in a complex maze of untruths. If we accept that truth telling is an unsustainable tactic then it is perhaps best to tell our own lies not to merely repeat those of others.


BUT... No matter how accomplished you are, or might ever become, at lying you must never ever tell yourself a lie.


Never muddle your own thoughts with a lie based on ideology, philosophy, or religion. Never let your well practiced habit of lying compromise your ability to think for yourself. Never let your beliefs become swiss cheese as you decide between what is true and false.


Don't lie to yourself because this will never be a winning strategy.


Richard.





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