The word "authentic" has a meaning that's almost identical to that of the word "real." If you mentally replace "authentic" with "real," you can tell when someone's trying to deceive you. Here's another exercise: try replacing the word "simulated" with "fake" in an advertisement and see how things look. An authentic Rolex watch is real, but a simulated Rolex is fake. The myriad possibilities for dishonesty are limited only by the personality of the speaker or writer and by the scope of his or her imagination. An understanding of the truth behind misleading statements renders them powerless to mislead.

I know we've all read ads for "Authentic-looking" luxury items and status-symbol products. How many times have we been offered goods described in this way? "Authentic Appearance," "Realistic," "All-natural," "100% wholesome." Food, clothing, jewelry, handbags, sunglasses, cars, weapons, furniture...what value do we see in these things when we replace the deceptive language with plain, truthful language? Often, what's being offered is a "Real Imitation" product. When big, confusing words are replaced with simple, clear ones, things begin to look very different. Imagine sales pitches where all of the deceptive words were gone, replaced with factual language.

It's like using a cereal-box decoder made of red cellophane; all of the distracting red images are filtered out and we're left with the plain truth, or, far too often, the easily-recognized lies. If the majority of people were in the habit of using this kind of critical thinking, there'd be a lot less double-talk. Why bother with complicated manipulations when they'd be sure to fail?

Communication of all kinds would tend to be clearer and more honest. The trend would reinforce itself, because deceptive practices would stand out like turds in a punchbowl (I've always wanted an excuse to use that expression ;-D ). Dishonesty wouldn't be very profitable if everyone could see right through the lies.

I don't need to tell you what this would do to politics. Imagine a system where statements were truthful, motivations clear, and opinion easily distinguished from fact. Now that's a happy thought!

News, entertainment, business, just about any human activity would rest on fact instead of fiction. You'd go to the store, and the labeling would be free of gimmicks. Prices would be easy to compare, as would the ingredients, risks, benefits, and proper applications. Deceptive promotional techniques would do nothing but alienate potential customers.

Innovation would be recognized and encouraged. The informed public would know what products and services it needed, and also be able to choose the best item for their needs. Commerce would thrive; not much would have to be spent to tell customers why a particular item was best for a particular use. Less money would buy more product, so everyone would have to work less.

The government would run smoothly and efficiently, allowing lower taxes while fulfilling its role in the maintenance of society. The need to protect future generations from harm of all sorts would be self-evident and compelling. Diplomacy would be fair and effective. War would be considered wasteful and unnecessary. Justice would be swift but humane; trials would consist of facts and reasoning--even lawyers would be able to work less and charge less.

Is this starting to sound like Utopia? It is to me. For countless reasons, I truly believe that honesty is the best policy. Now let's work to make sure that honesty is everyone's policy. Truth, with a capital T, is the way to a better world.

This hub was inspired by Nachase's excellent hub, Are You Authentic? I recommend it to anyone who enjoyed this discussion of lies and truth. Props to you, Nachase!