TED Talks Daily The fine art of fibbing | Athena Kugblenu
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Jun 6, 2025 
Athena Kugblenu, a witty comedian and writer, dives into the art of deception with humor and sharp insight. She discusses how small lies can often smooth social interactions and even serve compassionate purposes. Kugblenu introduces the concept of 'fib literacy' to help listeners navigate the ethics of lying, examining when a little fib is acceptable and when it's not. With engaging anecdotes, she encourages us to reflect on our own motivations for dishonesty, challenging the stigma around lies.
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Everyday Lying Anecdotes
- Athena Kugblenu shares everyday lying examples like saying "I'm fine" even when not.
- She uses a playful lie to get her kids to brush teeth, showing lying as a social tool.
Ask Who Benefits Before Lying
- Always ask yourself "Who will benefit?" when deciding whether to lie or tell the truth.
- This question helps distinguish between harmless fibs and harmful lies.
Becoming Fib Literate
- There's a crucial difference between selfish lies and lies that serve others' good.
- We must become "fib literate" to distinguish acceptable lies from unacceptable ones and build resilience to deception.