Truths and Lies: A Writer’s Perspective
We live in an age of attempted absolutes. Truth, Lies, Misinformation, and so on. Experts… Science says… Medical officials report that…
Amidst the political polarity, a topic I’ll refrain from delving into, we find ourselves inundated with ‘reported facts’ that often lack thorough research and study. Consider this: medical officials make assertions bolstered by a list of citations to lend an air of authority. Yet, a meticulous examination of these citations frequently leads to a different, more ambiguous, or even a paid conclusion, a trend all too prevalent in our times. Where’s the money coming from? This underscores the crucial role of critical thinking in our quest for truth.
As a writer well-versed in the art of research, I find it disconcerting that many individuals do not take the initiative to delve into the sources of information before forming their ‘informed’ opinions. This lack of personal research not only hampers our understanding of complex issues but also undermines our ability to make truly informed decisions.
So here is my assertion. We are all different. One size does not fit all. Truth is never absolute; it is relevant only to the moment and the particular case/person to which it is assigned. Truth changes over time. Anything that is not a truth is not necessarily a lie. A lie is equally subjective. Misinformation is a misnomer since truth is subjective.
And I posit that there is no such thing as an expert. I know some of you will jump on that one. A qualified person is offering a subjective opinion about something that cannot be quantified as an absolute. And attendance at an overpriced, four year or more institution with a formal degree does not mean that they know what they claim. That is an assumption, and as my father used to tell me, if you take the word ASSUME and split it up, you make an ASS of U and ME.
Eggs used to be lambasted as artery-clogging cholesterol time bombs that would shorten life. They were an absolute under the saturated fat label, along with olive oil and coconut oil. Not anymore. Elements of that information were correct; eggs are high in cholesterol; however, research has shown the level of cholesterol in the body is a small and transient rise. So, was that fact wrong? Misinformation? A lie? Or a transient truth until more information was learned?
In the 1940s and 1950s, medical doctors often advertised the safety and health benefits of smoking cigarettes. Need I say more? You are only hurting yourself if you rely on the experts without question. And there are so many things to be questioned.
Did you know that pharmaceutical companies employ teams of scientists and medical professionals? Can you be certain that these paid people are not endorsing a product because their employer said so? You can’t. You want to have faith in the medical professionals, but….
Lawyers examine every nuance of every contract. The law is so detailed that almost nothing is left to chance. If we had the kind of time needed to research life on that level, we would have no time for anything else. So what can we do?
Schools used to teach common sense, critical thinking, debate, and analysis. Nowadays, schools are more political, pushing social agendas over education. That does not mean you cannot question everything. You should.
It is a complicated world, and it is becoming more complicated by the day. What’s in the trails left behind by aircraft? Are they contrails or chemtrails, and what’s the difference? Should I eat a vegetable diet or a meat diet? Where’s the data? And what’s the difference between an epidemiological study and a controlled, double-blind study?
As a writer we have to question everything. What was the motivation for the character to act a certain way. What are the implications of a certain course of action? Everyone lies and we have to find a path that allows us to remain strong and not become victims to groupthink.
Your character definitions need to include the ambiguities of logic. Improve the depth of character through levels of logic or illogic over certain things. Or as the slogan of the Tyrell Corporation read: More human than human.
Question everything, assume nothing, do your own research, be your own advocate, challenge everything, and your writing, and your life, will be richer for it.
W
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