Why Lie?

Everyone lies. This is not a new phenomena and is not likely to go away – ever.

Paraphrasing here a bit: Within the first six minutes of a conversation – 80% of humanity will tell a lie. There are indications that lying is hardwired into the brain, the body – or something – and that we cannot avoid it when there is contact with others. This could very well be the natural expression of being defensive. Think chameleons who change color with the pine tree, or the sand ray on the bottom of the ocean floor, or the pigeon in the city that blends with the asphalt.

This is not to say their bodies are lying – they are not. Their bodies are being consciously used to lie – a big difference.

When the body lies (apparently) I believe it indicates a conscious decision to defend itself. The threat does not necessarily have to be life threatening, per se, but it does need to be present. Never mind that some people always feel threatened! (and thus are always on the defensive).

When the body lies (without our consciously willing it to do so) I believe it indicates a previous time where a conscious decision was made to behave a certain way. This is where ‘flinching’ comes in, where prejudice come in, and stereotyping. But not, necessarily in that order. If anything, it’s the reverse order:

human beings stereotype, then prejudice, then flinch.

Lying is a part of the human make up. Sometimes lies protect the self: I’m dangerous, leave me alone; I’m not dangerous, you can go away – and all manner of permutations (depending on the situation) from there. The goal of this particular reasoning of thought is to understand that lying is not (necessarily) an evil thing, but a part of what makes us who we are.

Lying is a reflective echo of our body’s ability (or inability) to process information – more on this in the future – and its need to make sense of the world around us. So – when you catch or suspect someone in a lie, don’t be surprised and don’t necessarily start pointing the finger (unless the lie is blatantly obvious). Understand that lies are a part of our universal make up as human beings – it cannot be avoided! but it can be managed. Both our understanding of it in others and why we, ourselves, are also liars.