There is a fasincating two part-series about lying by Errol Morris and Ricky Jay in The New York Times.

It’s very relevant to public relations, not only because he talks about the master P.T. Barnum, but because when things go bad in an organization or municipality the first tendency is to lie (well, technically, spin — or is it the other way around?). But, as we all know, the truth is always the best policy when it comes to public relations (eg. Maple Leaf’s handling of the lysterios situation vs. anything involving dead ducks and oil). // Link (Part One)

From part one — a discussion of Jerry Andrus a magician, Jay claims, who would not lie:

ERROL MORRIS: But doesn’t that alert people to the fact that they are being deceived? Doesn’t that make it more difficult to perform the trick?

RICKY JAY: Yes! It does make it more difficult, but that’s just the kind of guy he was. So he would never say, “I’m dealing the King of Clubs on the table,” and deal the bottom card and not the King of Clubs. He would not lie. He was an enormously principled fellow.

// “Seven Lies About Lying” (Part One)

From part two (lies about lying):

5. Lying will be punished. Perhaps. But not as often as truth-telling. Lying effectively in many situations is generally superior than telling the truth, because often we have to search our minds for the truth, whereas a good lie can be easier to produce (though of course caution is indicated if the lie can be easily unmasked). Invariably a skillful liar makes a calculation about his chances of being exposed and avoids situations where a lie can be revealed. Lying is punished only if it is detected. A more reasonable assessment would be that ineffective and unskillful lying is severely punished. No one is held in greater contempt than an unskilled liar.

// “Seven Lies About Lying” (Part Two)

What do you think?

// When is it lying and when is it spin?
// Is there a difference?
// Should there be a hard and fast rule?