The truth can’t hurt you, it’s just like the dark
It scares you witless
But in time you see things clear and stark.
–Elvis Costello/I Want You
Truth is kind of a wiggly construct. I’ve written about how memory can be subjective, and about how difficult it is to hide your inner truth over the long term. It seems like Truth should be very clear, but it isn’t. But is the truth dangerous? Can it hurt you?
Sort of.
Homosexuals in certain repressed places are at risk if they live their truth publicly.
Whistle blowers and witnesses in mob trials often come to bad ends.
Adulterers with spouses prone to violence. Atheists in..well..most places.
Of course, really, it isn’t the truth that’s hurting them, it’s people.
Specifically, people who are unwilling to accept someone’s truth, or don’t want anyone to know about one of their own secret truths. People will go to horrifying lengths to defend their world view from attack.
I thought I had a lot more to say about this, but all of a sudden I don’t.
Maybe I should stop multi-tasking and concentrate for a change.
Or just call it a bad writing night and stop.
Done.