Why We Mislead

Why We Mislead

While visiting Veloyce for my overuse injury at his Monster of Massage office, I borrowed his June, 2017 Edition of National Graphic. It was titled “Why We Lie   The science behind our complicated relationship with the truth. This timely article correlated with Judge Emmet Sullivan’s comments regarding Michael Flynn “Arguably, you sold your country out!”

The introduction to the article was about a man named Alexi Santana. His name was a lie. This man’s fabrications resulted in his being accepted for admission to Princeton in the fall of 1989. He told a most interesting fable. Further on, there were statements about the many criminals that lie, deceive and victimize such as financier Bernie Madoff. He employed a Ponzi scheme for his crime. The Ponzi scheme was named after Charles Ponzi who built a pyramid scheme selling international postal reply coupons. Aside from conning investors by promising them, terrific  returns, his scam involved paying one investor with money he collected from others. He was apprehended in 1920.

Past Pres. Richard Nixon lied, to stay in power. He denied having any role in Watergate. In 2016, President Donald Trump falsely claimed that his inauguration turn out, was larger than Pres. Barack Obama’s first one. This lie had to do with his frequent tendency  to enhance his prestige. This tendency is likely an unconscious protection against his self-perception of insignificance. Over and over, he needs to impress others, needs to be admired and needs to be respected. Perhaps a major component of his self-esteem, rests on, being admired and respected. If he doesn’t receive admiration, his self-esteem shrinks. For him, this lying behavior is a consistent and constant ordeal. He’s likely unaware of feeling humiliated because the knowledge of it would be too painful for him. Yes, it’s a protection against feeling insignificant and it is a feeble attempt to inflate his damaged self-esteem.

The National Geographic article went on and cited many examples of others who lied. Examples, such as American swimmer Ryan Lochte in the 2016 Summer Olympics; physicist Jan Hendrik Schon regarding breakthroughs in molecular semiconductor research; Frank Abagnale Jr. the main character in the 2002 movie “ Catch Me If You Can.” This impostor stated “I had to be creative in order to survive. I do and will continue to regret it for the rest of my life.” PT Barnum was cited along with many others who falsified the truth.survive. I do and will continue to regret it for the rest of my life.” PT Barnum was cited along with many others who falsified the truth.

To Be Continued