A Day of Truth

Could you do it?

Yesterday, in COMM 3399, a campaign media class, I challenged the students (as extra credit) to go 24 hours without telling a lie — which isn’t quite the same as telling the truth, as we discussed in class. We’re studying the American political penchant for lying in campaigns, such as promising the moon (which can actually be a good thing for voters to return to later; so campaign promises with may seem like lies can actually be aspirational, if that makes sense).

Any-whoooo…

The students are on the honor system to describe how well they did. I am not giving them points if they’re honest. I am giving them points if they try.

This idea stems from a book I read back in the ‘90s, “The King of Vermont,” in which the candidate decides to run on a campaign of Total Disclosure. He’s not going to just tell the truth, he’s going to tell all of it. Hilarity ensues.

After I read the book, I called my brother and we decided this would be a cool thing to try — me in Connecticut, and he in Texas. I don’t remember how he did on the day we chose, but I only made it to 10 a.m., when a boss asked me if I’d accomplished a task that I hadn’t, and I lied. I called him up chagrined that I did’t even make it to lunch.

This time, I set out to do better, and throughout the rest of the day, I thought of my students and wondered how they were doing.

As always, it struck me that this assignment would be better if I could go into a bunker for six hours and then sleep the other 18, but alas, that was not an option. However, I am not surrounded by friends in a dorm, didn’t go out and socialize Monday night, and as I write this, I’m tucking myself into bed secure in the knowledge that it’s really difficult to tell fibs in your sleep (I do not choose to count lies committed with sleeping). I did OK, but I mostly did OK by not talking. Maybe that’s the secret of really honest people. Talk less.