The Ways We Lie Analysis

Words: 1773
Pages: 8

Effects of Lying
Did you know that the average American tells 11 lies per week? Many people can tell lies and not even know what the truth is. In “the Ways We Lie “by Stephanie Ericcson, she discusses numerous lies and gives examples of each one of them. She also gives personal experiences she has had with lying to inform the reader of the effects of lying. Richard Gunderman wrote “Is Lying Bad for Us?” it is an article about the effects lying can have on us. Gunderman provided the harmful effects as well as the benefits lying may have. Gunderman writes this article to inform his reader about the good and bad of lying and how it may affect us. Lying can be good in a number of ways by saving a friend’s feelings or by saving yourself from getting
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In the article Gunderman discusses the difference between a liar and what he calls a "bullshitter". Gunderman describes “a liar as someone who lies but still however cares about what they are saying” (Gunderman). However a "bullshitter" “is described as someone who does not even care about the truth” (Gunderman). A "bullshitter" lies to impress people. They lie to the point where it is just ridiculous. Liars just do not tell the truth they avoid telling the truth. A "bullshitter" does not even tell the actual story they just make stories up that have nothing to do with the truth. Gunderman says that living with the guilt of lying itself can be considered to be toxic. He brings ups whether or not the health care industry can monetize honesty or not. He claims that there is a bigger problems that we face. That is whether or not we want to live in families, communities, or societies where telling the truth needs to be incentivized” That is why lying is harmful because if it gets to that point it can cause a lot of trouble. Why should someone have to ask themselves if they should lie or not. Gunderman goes on to explain how “Surely most of us wish to live in a community where people can be relied on to tell the truth, regardless its effects on waistlines, pocketbooks, social standing , career prospects, and even our general level of happiness” (Gunderman). What Gunderman is doing tis providing and elaborating how exactly can we lie and not care about its effects and how it impacts the many thing he talked