Lying on the forum

[Astrid]

Mark Twain
On the art of lying

On The Decay Of The Art Of Lying by Mark Twain

 

[partinobodycular]

In my opinion, unless me and the person I'm talking to have a relationship that's built on honesty, or if I care about what that other person thinks, then I have absolutely no problem lying to you, and if you want to lie to me, then go ahead, that's up to you. As the anecdote @Brihaha posted inferred... there are any number of people for whom I really don't care what they think. That's just me being brutally honest. But I do have enough respect for others, that if they're being honest with me, then I feel like I'm obligated to be honest with them in return. Unfortunately, some people come into a discussion with the attitude that their morals and ethics are somehow better than someone else's... in which case, don't expect very much from me, I have more important people to talk to.

In some ways this indifference to certain peoples' opinion, is honest and virtuous in its own right. I am what I am, I'm not perfect, and I make no claims to be, neither do I expect anyone else to be, unless they're attitude suggests that they think they are. In which case, be prepared to have that assumption challenged.

Some people may not lie, but they sure have a way of avoiding telling the truth, and sometimes people lying to you, tells you a great deal about what they think of you.

 

[Nithavela]

Too late ... I have your post advocating illegal activity



(you can't delete MY post and I can have the Wayback Machine permanently archive the topic.) [LOL]

I can put you on ignore, though. Let me just do that...

 

[atpollard]

I can put you on ignore, though. Let me just do that...

Thank you.
It should make both our lives better.
(I will not waste time answering questions that you ask).

However, it is generally bad etiquette to announce that you are placing someone on “ignore” … one typically just does it. So you have some growing up to do.

 

[atpollard]

Mark Twain
On the art of lying

On The Decay Of The Art Of Lying by Mark Twain

That was pretty funny.

 

[partinobodycular]

I can honestly say that I don't lie.

There's a question that I often ask theists to find out just how honest they're really willing to be.

It's a simple question, but if you're willing to be brutally honest, then it may not be that easy to accept, much less admit to. But you're an honest person. You'd never even think of lying... right.

The question:

Do you know that God is real?

The question isn't whether you believe that God is real. The question is whether you know that God is real.

So... honestly... do you know that God is real?

 

[Ana the Ist]

Psychologists tell us that the practice of lying is universal (or nearly so) amongst humans. They also tell us this practice begins at a very young age. Parents with toddlers, or with long memories of having had toddlers, may well be able to relate to that. However, the object of this thread is not to debate the truth of these assertions. For the purposes of this discussion I would like you to take these as true. I wish to discuss whether the practice of lying differs between participation in forums such as this and how it is practiced in "real life".

In the real world I periodically lie. I do not know to what extent my lying compares with human norms. Do I lie more frequently, or tell much bigger whoppers than the average human? I don't know. I like to think that my lying is less intensive than average, but I would like to think that wouldn't I? (I reviewed my interactions yesterday and the closest I can come to a lie was in omitting to truthfully tell a high pressure salesman that I was not making a decision today because I did not entirely trust what he was telling me.)

And finally I get to the point. I have, as far as I am able to recall, despite telling lies in the real world from time to time I have never told a lie on this forum, or on any other forum several of which I was active on for over a decade and a half. I find this odd and am uncertain as to what compels me to be scrupulously truthful online, but not elsewhere. I have some thoughts, but I would welcome suggestions as to what you think might be the cause. Also, if you feel comfortable doing so, comment on whether you have had similar experiences. And if any of you can identify an instance in any of my posts where I demonstrably lied that would be helpful, as it would remove the anomalous contrast.

Anonymity from judgment can allow people to be honest.

 

[Ophiolite]

Anonymity from judgment can allow people to be honest.

There are likely in excess of fifteen ways in which that statement might be interpreted. Would you like to outline which of those you had in mind?