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mstevens comments on [SEQ RERUN] Radical Honesty - Less Wrong
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Comments (12)
I've never practiced Radical Honesty, nor do I know anyone who does, so my thoughts on the subject are pure conjecture. Still, it seems to me that Radical Honesty could only be practiced by someone who is independently wealthy. If you can't afford to lose your job, or that apartment you're renting, or a couple teeth during your bus ride, you simply can't afford to alienate the people on whose good will your well-being depends.
If everyone in the world was 100% rational and a Radically Honest person, this wouldn't be a problem. Unfortunately, we don't live in a world like that. Instead, we live in a world where little white lies (and especially lies of omission) are the norm; they are the glue that keeps a society (which is composed of less-than-rational individuals) going smoothly.
I suppose that you could practice Radical Honesty by behaving like an Aes Sedai, and speaking statements that, while literally true in a technical sense, imply something very different than it would appear to the listener. I think that would defeat the spirit of the movement, however. Lying creatively is still lying.
Also, there was a different fantasy novel (title and author forgotten) where the folks who were required to be honest used ambiguity and such to stay out of trouble. As a result, most people mistrusted them.
Sounds a little like the Merry Gentry by Laurell K Hamilton, where the fey seem to work like this. I'm sure there must be a clearer example though.
There's also Heinlein's Fair Witness idea, who seemed to be more positively regarded.
I actually immediately thought of Wheel of Time and the Aes Sedai.
Not read Wheel of Time. User:Bugmaster already referenced them so I assumed User:NancyLebovitz was thinking of something else.
The Fair Witness idea is not entirely analogous, since (IIRC) the Fair Witnesses have a pre-appointed niche in their society. They are highly paid and highly respected; and Radical Honesty is, in fact, their primary occupation. Our own society does not contain a niche like that, however; and no one can get paid solely for being Radically Honest.