Tomorrow’s society may be at risk because of an understated problem: lies.
Politicians and citizens with perceived power have lied to us throughout history, but today their proliferation is exploding. The existence of rebuttal facts and real experiences has often become of secondary interest.
I am “oldish.” I can believe, through my long-lived life, that my eyes, ears and mind are presenting me with reality – truth versus lies. But what of the young?
The young gather information from their own experiences and sources such as peers and electronics. They are exposed to untruths from Sen. X, corporate CEO Y or “He who would be king.” Can they distinguish lies from truth? Do they come to believe lies are acceptable and even emulated, leading to possible success – and money?
Challenging lies, no matter how big or small, from the left or right, from the powerful or the weak, cannot be left to a philosophy of “It is not my problem. Let someone else fix it.” Speak out!
You discipline your children if they lie to you. Teach them that lies – to or from anyone – are not acceptable, or they may reach adulthood believing lies are useful tools in life, to the detriment of us all.
Arthur Neal Eggers
Hesperus
