I'd imagine that a strong culture of refusing to answer would be a natural consequence of a visible indication of lying.
I agree, and I think people would learn, partly, to cope with awkward truths in place of white lies, and partly, when to deliberately extend and accept ambiguity by allowing hedged answers.
But it still seems like, everyone would prefer politicians who make SOME bold claims unhedged.
has this watery effect always existed, or has it come into existence only recently
Fairly recently, but not immediately. I got the impression of a couple of months to a couple of years. Enough that everyone knows how it works, but little enough that people have roughly the same instincts they do now -- we haven't had a whole generation grow up without knowing what a lie is.
no subject
Date: 2014-07-10 03:56 pm (UTC)I agree, and I think people would learn, partly, to cope with awkward truths in place of white lies, and partly, when to deliberately extend and accept ambiguity by allowing hedged answers.
But it still seems like, everyone would prefer politicians who make SOME bold claims unhedged.
has this watery effect always existed, or has it come into existence only recently
Fairly recently, but not immediately. I got the impression of a couple of months to a couple of years. Enough that everyone knows how it works, but little enough that people have roughly the same instincts they do now -- we haven't had a whole generation grow up without knowing what a lie is.