The Truth About Lying

In this video (2008) I read from Attachment: A Novel of War and Peace, which I published in 2006. I preface the reading with a review from a reader. The reading is from “Trust”, the second chapter. It is, I think, the truth about lying. The protagonist, Joe Burns, is in his first session with psychotherapist, Bobbie Beauprez.

Then And Now

I began writing this in 2004, right after then President Bush had invaded Iraq. However, the campaign for POTUS was in full swing. Naively, then as now, I thought it’s publication would make a difference. It hasn’t.*

“Things” have only gotten worse. Moreover, it seems that lying has become even more prevalent than it was then. Now, it seems, most everyone is becoming skilled at it. Because of the Internet, technology, and social media. In other words, the culture of now.

However, I’m still bad at lying. Despite eight years of therapy and being counseled in the art of getting along, or becoming more agreeable.

Spooky

What’s spooky is this. Thirteen years later, in 2017, I entered into therapy for real. (The sessions in Attachment were entirely made up fiction.) Bobbie Beauprez was a completely made-up person. But, Psych-girl, an IRL psychotherapist actually looks like Bobbie Beauprez. Furthermore, Psych-girl’s approach is much the same. Additionally, some of the conversations in the novel and years later in IRL, are nearly identical.

Yes! And here “we” are again, involved in a Middle East war. About the same issues–nuclear apocalypse, oil, and power. It just blows my mind. And then, I write another book, Election 2016. Again, I think it can make a difference. However now, that backfires completely. Because, well, I have changed. I’m physically and mentally older, more vulnerable. In addition, I have watched and learned more about people and human nature. And it’s worse than I thought back then.

In Conclusion

I hope you watch the video, and click on the links. Furthermore, I’d love to know your thoughts on what you think about the truth of lying. And how we got here now.

Also, the website at the end of the video is no longer active.

• Coincidently (?) Exactly two years ago–the day before Father’s Day, 2024–is when I lost all hope. But, I didn’t know it at the time. There was an event at my apartment complex’s clubhouse wherein residents could sell their art at kiosks. I dressed for the occasion, set up “shop” and waited. With great expectations. Nothing happened. None in my “community” were interested. Then, as now, maybe I’m to blame. Psych-girl has counseled me to “lower my expectations” – in pursuit of happiness.