The ways we lie

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Stephanie Ericsson was born and raised in san Francisco. She was a famous screenwriter and a copywriter. In this paper, the focus will on “the ways we lie”. Ericsson uses clear cut examples to explain the various ways humans lie. Ericsson writes that lying has great consequences yet no one can escape from lying but she also asks that people should minimize lies as the effects are detrimental to the society at large (Ericsson, 2004).

A lie is dishonest statement or action made deliberately with the intending to cheat. People begin lying from an early age for various reasons. There are various ways in which people lie. It is impossible to live a lie-free life. When push comes to shove people give reasons for lying such as to avoid confrontation, sparing other people’s feelings and to keep secrets. Ericsson even eludes to the fact that both telling the truth and lying have grave consequences and benefits at the same time. For example, in the introduction Ericsson describes her four lies. For each of the four lies, Ericsson believes she has a just reason to do so (Ericsson, 2004). All choices have consequences. The message is quite clear at the conclusion that people should strive to build a just and trustful society with honesty. The world of lies has created a deluded society that we cannot escape yet most people still dignify themselves as honest.

Personally, the omission lie type has encircled my life. One time I was working on my research project for end of year module and as I was busy working tripled and pushed my laptop over into a bucket of water. The laptop was spoilt in the process. When I called home I explained that the laptop was spoilt because its motherboard crushed. I omitted the fact that I was the one responsible. Two weeks later, I got a new laptop and life moved on. There was this time I was having fun with my friends in an illegal place when the police suddenly showed up. During the skirmish, two of my friends and brother were arrested. When I got home, my mum asked me about the location of my brother and I thought of lying that we were not had not gone out together since I feared the wrath of my mum as she had repeatedly warned us of avoiding the place. It occurred to me that if I lied I would not be a big brother to my brother and told the truth and the issue was resolved. The society has been lying that the black people are intrinsically violent when it is known that the social segregation is the main cause. The concept has promoted racism in America. Lying has consequences to the individual and the one lied to.

Reference

Ericsson, S. (2004). The Ways We Lie. 50 Essays: A Portable Anthology.