3 ms·
I think there is another aspect to your social importance thing. That is that the truth is varied, layered, often contextual. But falsehoods are fixed, easy to
by cam_l 7y ago
I think there is another aspect to your social importance thing. That is that the truth is varied, layered, often contextual. But falsehoods are fixed, easy to understand and remember. They are much easier to conform to socially if all you are using them for is a chat, signaling or shibboleth.
- devoply 7y agoOften it is the case that the falsehood or myth that people are telling is actually a cover for a truth that they are trying to hide. For instance we don't want a black president because we're racist becomes Obama's birth certificate was fake. Or we want to destroy Iran because we don't like Islamic theocracy becomes Iran is oppressing its own people therefore we must liberate it. The myth hides the truth and the myth may be entirely false or partially false but a convenient cover for the truth that all believers can rally behind... while the truth would implicate the followers as not just or immoral or racist, etc.