At the heart of much speculative fiction (and fiction in general) is a question. What if? On Tuesdays I like to throw one out there and see what you make of it. Do with it as you please. If a for-instance is not specified, feel free to interpret that instance as you wish. And if you find this becomes a novel-length answer, I'd appreciate a thank you in the acknowledgements ;)
I started watching The Good Place. It's not a favorite, but it's good enough until other shows supplant it. But it's what prompted this week's question...
What if you told a big fat lie to get into a place where you weren't supposed to be? What if it turned out that that was exactly where you belonged?
I grew up in the state of Washington, close to the Idaho line. At that time drinking age in Washington was 21, but Idaho was 19 and I believe majorty of my class mate was always older then they truely were. So there was a big lie in my high school.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on
I don't know if they really belonged there, though... ;)
DeleteI guess I'll never know...
ReplyDeleteI would hope though that I would have a chance to go back to where I used to be. Otherwise, it is probably a good story line for the consequence of lying.
ReplyDeletebetty
Lying is never good. Because one essentially has to keep lying to save the initial lie from being discovered. Too much work for me. I'd rather tell the truth and beg to get in. :)
ReplyDeleteMichele at Angels Bark
But if you were supposed to end up there, then the lie wasn't really that bad, right?
DeleteI can't stand lying! Even to get into a place I'm supposed to be! So I guess I'll never know
ReplyDeleteWell, let's say the lie was more of a mistake...
DeleteWell, I guess my morals aren't so big...I would lie and if it got me into a place that i knew i was good in-great. For example, back in 1991, I applied for a job and the employer asked me if I worked on computers. I lied big time and said I did and mentioned how it has its own language and I found computers so interesting. I then went home and asked my spouse at the time, to show me where the "any" key was. Yes, he had to explain that to me. I have been at this job for over 25 years and counting. I love the job and I get excellent feedback from many of my clients who have said that i truly helped them. If I spoke the truth i would never have had this job where I know I belonged in and still do.
ReplyDeleteAnd here I thought my question had no real world parallels...
DeleteIf I was where I belonged, then would it really mater that I lied? And if there was something like that out there, I would hope they double checked their references :P
ReplyDeleteI'm a terrible liar. I gulp and swallow, avert my eyes and look utterly guilty so I'd never be able to get in in the first place.
ReplyDeleteThat's too bad.
DeleteI don't know if anyone would ever believe any lie I told - my face gives everything away - but, at this point in my life, yes, I would, if it meant bettering my life or the life of those I love.
ReplyDeletePerhaps you'd get away with it this time.
DeleteNot a fan of lying, I'd probably try working my way to where I want to be instead of doing it that way lol
ReplyDeleteNot many liars read my blog, apparently.
DeleteI'd be happy if my lie got me to exactly where I wanted to be.
ReplyDeleteDepending.
If it was a simple lie that didn't hurt anyone, I'd be ok with it. If it was a complicated lie and I was close to the person I was lying to (friend, family member), I'm not sure I could keep the secret for very long. I'm bad at lying to begin with so there's that… And then I'd worry I'd feel bad about it over time.
So lying to a corporation about something simple – sure. Lying to friends/family about something complicated – no. Anything in between is probably a no too. :)
Good point. I think in the case of the show, it may hurt someone. We'll have to wait and see.
DeleteI used to exaggerate the truth - oh well all right, I told bloody big wallopers to get troops of actors into nightclubs, after gigs without lining up and of course without paying. All too often they were a raggered barefoot lot and they all slipped in while I argued the toss with the front of house folk. Not sure we 'belonged' there, but it was great fun and no harm done.
ReplyDeleteWell, maybe not "belonged", but you had a right fun time anyway.
DeleteHonestly, if I had to tell a lie to get there, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't belong...since honesty is a HUGE part of me. I couldn't do. Wouldn't be comfortable.
ReplyDeleteThere are lies and then there are other lies. Sometimes what looks like a lie on the surface is just creativity. Creativity is good.
ReplyDeleteAh, good point.
DeleteAhh I like Kathleen's answer. As long as it wasn't a malicious lie (to hurt someone else) I'm okay with it. :D
ReplyDelete