Okay, so over the past 9-12days i’ve heard this phrase coined over four times…
“A lie can travel halfway round the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.”
Never had I heard this phrase before, but it touched me deeply and holds a lot of meaning to me because of drama related to gossip and backbiting that I had to endure over the past year, and even in the course of my short life itself. I personally don’t believe that this isn’t your everyday phrase/word of wisdom that you’d hear, as a matter of a fact it’s probably the most distinct phrase i’ve heard all year. What was most personal/signifigant to me was that not at anytime was this stated to me in a sententious manner, which would’ve without a doubt been a complete turn-off and subsequently made me defensive and or suspect of the connotation of it’s meaning.
Sources:
1st) Random person in the local greasy spoon engaged in a conversation with another person
2nd) Conversation with a former co-worker
3rd) Highly respected family member during one of our “sessions”
4th) Evangelist on TV using it in one of his sermons
How do other people feel about this? Is it true? Does it hold meaning for you? Why does this happen? Examples? Thoughts? Gripes?
Esta es mi vida 
‘Tis a phrase not terribly uncommon in one form or another- though I don’t think I’ve heard this wording of it before. I do find it amazing that, in the media, the rifts between truth and lies as well as good news and bad news are as excessively wide as they are. The phrase “No news is good news.” comes to mind as well- and to be frank, its not really the media’s fault. Their job is make money via their viewership, and lies, scandal and disaster is what sells.
I red recently that, on average, topics related to science (that’s quite broad) get about 8 minutes of air time for every 5 hours… that’s pathetic. Certainly, I’m a little biased, as I have a keen interest in science- but do people really not care? All the things that come about because of scientific research, from medicine, to transportation, to “green energy” to space travel all pivot on the pillar that is science. Is it really that worthless to the general public? Maybe we shouldn’t sell any more technology to them….
Back to the lies. People are fascinated by scandle- people won’t lift a finger to help someone up, but they sure as hell won’t blink given the oppertunity to destroy them. Why is this? Reminds me of the game Tales of Phantasia, which only a few days ago I saw the anime mini-series of the same name. A quote from the game/series that I think carries with it a sense of truth is:
I think as a species, we probably need to take a look at our priorities and values. Too many distructive people and too many hipocrits.
I agree with the Comment before me. When I read the quote, the first thing I thought about was the Media and how our own media is being used against us.
I will stop there before I begin to rant.
First thing that came up to my mind when I read the quote, is that people enjoy the failure of others. The way the media is in celebs faces and personal lives is the same way people around us are always like they want to know our business. Once they hear oh her daughter is pregnant people are quick to point fingers at parents and also laugh in their faces and celebrate their misfortune. They even come to your house and pretend to sympathise whilst the real reason they are there is to get the Juice of the story.
People also seem to validate rumours more, even when they are not true and when the truth comes out it rarely makes a scene.
Seems to be a lot of truth in that statement. Really, if you think about it the truth is usually boring and lies are exciting … and people like excitement.
All thanks for the comments, i’m glad it sparked such insightful responses from everyone.
@SBM: 100% agree with that, and it really ties into what Beril was saying about media coverage
@Hadassah: Good point on the validation of rumors, that in itself is what gives a rumor it’s legs. The public in general feeds into what the media serves up as “news” now days. A no-class, lost, screwed up white girl from hick town with a sub-par voice and dance moves is more of “news” then what’s going on in the middle east (war, terrorism, political turmoil).
@D: Indeed I feel your pain
@Beril: You pretty much summed it all up in your post, very well written and much appreciated you sharing your views.
SAY WORD IT’S THE TRUTH!
That, in itself is a enormous problem in our society today. I believe people do this because of their own self interests and not really giving two thoughts about their fellow man other then to get ahead of/use them only for the purpose to benefit self.
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