(Untitled)

[ablochparty]

Do you ever wonder what the world was like before people had the ability to tell lies?
Is there a history of lies? Do they originate with language, or pre-date it? How can you tell a lie without words?

Picture a cave drawing that says "I didn't drink straight out of the milk carton" in a heiroglyphic language.

Comments

[lux_fiat]

I suspect that deception preceeds speech. Forgive my cynicism. I don't think you need words to repsond to an accusatory "Who took my favourite bone?" just a bewildered shrug.

The first lie. I reckon there's a story in that.

[ablochparty]

Yes, but you do need words to accuse one of stealing your bone.

Before language, how did things exist in the world without being seen? How did one communicate "My bone, which I once had, that used to stand here, but now does not" except through drawings?

It's striking that at one point we didn't have the words "I love you" but instead had to exist purely on showing it.

[lux_fiat]

Grunt, frown, point at place bone had been? I'm kinda playing devil's advocate by this point, but the image really makes me giggle.

Hehehehehehehehe...

[ohnefuehlen]

...bone.

[complexripple]

psych major opinion!
Alright, here's the deal. Lying is a form of maintaining social norms. It allows us to maintain appearances and thus be socially desirable. Imortant when being abanded by the group means that the wildebeasts will get you. It basically co-evolved with us.