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This American Life
855: That’s a Weird Thing to Lie About
Mar 2, 2025
Liz Flock, a reporter known for her investigation into the A Gay Girl in Damascus hoax, joins producer Dana Chivvis to discuss the strange world of online deception. M. Gessen, an author and journalist, sheds light on 'bully lies' in politics, while Ike Sriskandarajah humorously defends the case for lying in certain contexts. The conversation weaves through personal anecdotes and the bizarre motivations behind unnecessary lies, leaving listeners to ponder the complexities of truth in our increasingly digital lives.
01:03:46
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Quick takeaways
- The episode explores how autistic individuals perceive social niceties as insincere, emphasizing the gap between neurotypical and autistic communication.
- Radical honesty is scrutinized through personal anecdotes, illustrating the struggle between maintaining truthfulness and adhering to social expectations.
Deep dives
Understanding White Lies
Many autistic individuals find the concept of white lies perplexing, particularly when it comes to social interactions that involve insincere niceties. An autistic person recalls a situation where their colleague continued to deny an inappropriate relationship even when tangible evidence was presented. They express confusion over how neurotypical individuals often engage in small talk without truly meaning what they say, viewing phrases like, 'I hope you have a great holiday,' as shallow. This highlights a broader conversation about how social norms around politeness can create misunderstandings between neurotypical and autistic people.
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Discover
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Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode