The Liars of Nature and the Nature of Liars: Cheating and Deception in the Living World by Lixing Sun

Author:Lixing Sun [Sun, Lixing]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
ISBN: 9780691198606
Google: LqiTEAAAQBAJ
Barnesnoble:
Goodreads: 61282573
Published: 2022-12-01T09:05:15+00:00

chapter 7

Liars Who Lie to

Themselves

When you know a thing, to hold that you know it; and when you do

not know a thing, to allow that you do not know it— this is knowledge.

— confucius

The meaning of the phrase “Know Thyself,” inscribed in the Temple of

Apollo at Delphi, has inspired a spirited debate among classics scholars.1

But the true import of this ancient dictum had not been broadly appreci-

ated in Amer ica until the founding of the Minnesota town of Lake Wobe-

gon in 1974. Despite a small population of 900 people, the town was special

because “the women were strong and the men good- looking and the

children all above average,” as told by Garrison Keillor.

Keillor confessed in 2014 that he in ven ted the town and its inhabitants

for the “News from Lake Wobegon” segment of his radio program, A

Prairie Home Companion, aired on hundreds of public radio stations. For

42 years, from 1974 to 2016, mil ions laughed heartily at the stories from

Lake Wobegon, where people often think they are better than they

really are and do foolish things beyond their capabilities.

Although a comedian, Keillor wasn’t really joking. People in most

towns aren’t so dif fer ent from those in Lake Wobegon. The above-

average effect, known as illusory superiority in psy chol ogy, can be

159

160 ch a p t e r 7

found in all aspects of our lives. That’s why the show was popu lar for

de cades. In fact, the fictional stories Keillor told felt so au then tic that many

in his audience believed Lake Wobegon was real. Apparently, many of

us have little appreciation for the limits of our own knowledge and abili-

ties. Instead, we’re inclined to overestimate both. That is, we cheat on

ourselves.

The prevalence of self- deception is truly staggering. In regard to our

personal health, for example, most people believe they live a healthier

lifestyle and have a longer lifespan than their peers.2 Over 90% of people

believe they are better- than- average drivers.3 In social skil s, 70% of high

school students consider themselves above average in leadership, and

25% blatantly put themselves in the top 1%.4 Likewise, most people ex-

aggerate their popularity and inflate the number of their friends.5 In aca-

demic and job per for mance, 87% of students rate themselves better than

their average peers, and over 90% of faculty members place themselves

in the top half in teaching ability.6 The same can be said for lawyers who

think they can win a case or for stock traders who consider themselves

to be the best in the business.7

Under the spell of self- deception, people overstate their incomes,

attractiveness, happiness, technical skil s, biological endowments, and

moral character. They often unwittingly brag, selectively presenting only

the good side of themselves in school, at work, and online. How many

of your Facebook friends, for instance, post pictures or video clips about

the downside of their lives— such as being demoted, having financial

trou bles, or getting dumped in a relationship?

Self- deception often compels us to attribute successes to our own

effort, skil s, or intel igence, but we excuse our failures as due to external

causes or prob lems on the part of others.

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