I am curious as to other's view of this premise: What would be the impact (at different levels) of a total, entire purge of deceit, and all secrets and all truths are made visible to everyone? Say it happens tomorrow. Is truth only a disaster when the whole world is lying? Didn't Ricky Gervais have a movie called "The Invention of Lying" or something? I haven't seen it, but this may or may not be similar in scope. I think it comes from a place that the world was already telling nothing but the truth. I think it is one of those irrational fears which put our decisions for complete honesty in check: if everyone starts believing everything is the truth, it would take only one liar to usurp control. It seems like the hidden danger that usually has some people hesitate.
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by Buttered ToastI am curious as to other's view of this premise: What would be the impact (at different levels) of a total, entire purge of deceit, and all secrets and all truths are made visible to everyone? Say it happens tomorrow. Is truth only a disaster when the whole world is lying? Didn't Ricky Gervais have a movie called "The Invention of Lying" or something? I haven't seen it, but this may or may not be similar in scope. I think it comes from a place that the world was already telling nothing but the truth. I think it is one of those irrational fears which put our decisions for complete honesty in check: if everyone starts believing everything is the truth, it would take only one liar to usurp control. It seems like the hidden danger that usually has some people hesitate.
Doestoevsky's "Notes from Underground" and Kierkegaard's "Diary of a Seducer" explore this theme. Edgar Allen Poe also said that complete truthfulness and candor would be unbearable for polite society. I have often wondered if people who know me well would be amazed at the petty meanness of some of my thoughts and desires (although surely not most of them).
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