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The language of lying - Noah Zandan

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TEDEd Animation

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We hear anywhere from 10 to 200 lies a day. And although we’ve spent much of our history coming up with ways to detect these lies by tracking physiological changes in their tellers, these methods have proved unreliable. Is there a more direct approach? Noah Zandan uses some famous examples of lying to illustrate how we might use communications science to analyze the lies themselves.

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Meet The Creators

  • Educator Noah Zandan
  • Director Nadav Arbel
  • Artist Nadav Gazit
  • Narrator Noah Zandan
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Lesson creator

by TED-Ed

Why do people lie so much? Is it okay to tell a white lie?

Comments are closed on this discussion.

Avatar for Jordi C.O.
Lesson in progress

People usually lie on some situations to avoid hurting the feelings of other people because of their opinion, that is why white lies can be seen better and not be so bad, but you don't have to do them too much.


Avatar for Hashley Joy Limpo
Lesson completed

lying is bad, it is more important to tell the truth for them to not hurt that much, but sometimes we do white lies depending on the situation if its would be better if don't tell the truth because sometimes truth hurts.


Avatar for Nurgül Koca
Lesson completed

If the lies are personal, it might because they don't like themselves and they want to cover the negative things about themselves. Also telling white lies indicates that the person is not sincere to you.


Avatar for DURU GÜLBAŞ
Lesson completed

Some people lie because they feel that the effect of their lies are more profitable.


Avatar for Polina Dromova
Lesson in progress

People lie for various reasons, including self-preservation, avoiding consequences, protecting others, or seeking personal gain. While lying may seem like a convenient option at times, it is not okay to tell a white lie. White lies, although seemingly harmless, can ruin the trust and spoil relationships. Even if the intention is not to harm someone's feelings, honesty and open communication are detter for building and maintaining trust. Encouraging honesty, empathy, and finding alternative ways to share information can lead to healthier relationships and more genuine interactions.


Avatar for Anastasiia Denysenko
Lesson in progress

People lie for different reasons. Someone may not want to disappoint others, somebody may want to create a better picture of themselves. Personally, I’m convinced that the bitter truth is better than the sweetest lies. We usually say: “Truth always comes out”. Moreover, it’s important to remember that every lie has consequences.


Avatar for Christian Ezell
Lesson completed

in response to Matthew Sokolov Show comment

Even if it's for the good of someone you lied to, you are assuming an alarming level of power over the lied to person, making the assumption/prediction that covering with dishonesty is preferred to the truth. In many cases you may show good judgment here with the best choice being to lie for the good of the one lied to, but one has to admit, the success rate for doing so cannot possibly be 100%. In other words, sometimes a person may lie to "protect" another person only to eventually realize (or not) that the lie actually did more harm than good or simply prevented the chance for a person to handle the truth just fine actually.


Avatar for Matthew Sokolov
Lesson completed

in response to LILY LAGREW Show comment

It very rarely okay to lie even if it is very little unless its's for the good of someone you lied to


Avatar for Le Trang
Lesson in progress

Telling the truth is not always easy, that's why we lie. Sometimes we lie to not hurt someone.


Avatar for LILY LAGREW
Lesson completed

You cant stop me from lying. Sometimes its ok.

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