I enjoy the writing of both Jonah Lehrer and Sam Harris. It appears Lehrer is in a bit of a tailspin at the moment but I'm sure he'll pull out and I'll continue to read his blog.
Sam Harris wrote a post about Lehrer today. At the end he included a link to his book "Lying". For the next week the pdf download will be free.
Harris's blog:
http://www.samharris.org/blog/item/the-fall-of-jonah-lehrer
I don't know either of these fellows but I liked the PDF. Thanks. Reminds me of Dan Ariely's new book, "The Honest Truth About Dishonesty: How We Lie to Everyone---Especially Ourselves".
http://www.amazon.com/Honest-Truth-About-Dishonesty-Everyone---Especially/dp/0062183591/
Turns out we're all jerks and liars...when given the chance. And lying is "infectious". But recalling the Ten Commandments or signing pledges to be noble seems to make us a little more honest. There were some other interesting studies and figures in Ariely's book, but it was nice to read something more philosophical in Harris's PDF.
That was good. I think Harris is being a little too generous though, when he suggests that friendships will improve with more honesty. Most people who are honest all of the time are usually called blunt, socially-inept, or "brutally" honest. Kids who are always honest in school are suspected of being aspies and sent off to a psychologist for eval.
@Jason--you suggested a book to me on another thread last week and I can't find it. Do you remember what it was?
edit: thanks Jason (haha, like I need a book to tell me that--you guys remind me all of the time :)
you are not so smart.
http://www.amazon.com/You-Are-Not-So-Smart/dp/1592406599/
I can't find it at the free library site any longer. I swear I returned it...
I just discovered Harris myself on a Joe Rogan podcast. So far, I like him. Very rational.
@jennypenny
You are correct, but maybe if everyone was more honest it would eliminate non-rational people from asking if those pants make them look fat. No, you make you look too fat. If brutal honesty was more common, maybe we (introverts) could reclaim some more influence in society. Or, we go down in flames. I will chance the flames.
@jennypenny - Heh, yeah, if you lie too much, then you're a psychopath and if you never lie, then you're a freak.
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