Miles — this is powerful, and I appreciate your clarity in naming the danger so precisely. “We die by lies” captures the consequence. But I keep thinking about the mindset that enables those lies to live in the first place — the belief that truth is something we can choose, like a preference (a nod to Carl Sagan). That’s why I’d add: “You can’t choose your own truth. Be open to the real thing.” It’s a reminder that truth isn’t elective — it’s discovered. And rediscovering that may be the only way back.
Thank you Miles, this is powerful. If I didn’t already have my sign ready to go, I would want to use your slogan! Maybe I will embroider it onto a vintage handkerchief and post a photo of it on social media (not joking - I’ve been trying to come up with a good phrase for that very purpose). For this No Kings march I’ve decided to use a bit of humor. My sign features a large picture of a monarch butterfly, and it reads “THE ONLY ORANGE MONARCH I WANT.” I will be wearing a headband with green froggy eyes, and my t-shirt reads “It’s a Good Day to Defend Democracy.” Oh, and I will be using my free hand to wave an American flag. 🇺🇸 🐸 🚫👑
Miles, I went on a much shorter quest in my early 20’s, about truth and lies on a personal level.
Ultimately it became clear that if I lied about things, no one could ever get to know me, since all we ever know about another human is what they tell us. The consequences of lies are always devastating.
So the last 50+ years have been a struggle to never lie. Not even to exaggerate. I have skirted around the issue of lying by omission. It is also unpleasant.
This little lifelong experiment in personal truth telling has been so revealing, of myself and others.
Don’t know how this fits with your all inclusive one phrase to explain everything.
But it sure does explain my relationship with all those in power in our country today.
I don’t know who they really are, so I am stuck with thinking the worst in all things until they can prove me wrong.
I recently reread part of 1984. One phrase struck me as particularly salient: Orthodoxy is unconsciousness. I believe that point resonates with what you said about the need to resist the lies. IOW allowing yourself to defer your agency to peer pressure and societal orthodoxy is a way to get through life without taking responsibility for (enough of) your life. I RESIST and defy Trump's orthodoxy.
Making my sign now. Thank you, Miles! I'm so glad I found you through Lucid's Ruth Ben-Ghiat. You are now in my top five list which includes Ruth, Heather Cox Richardson, Robert Hubbell,
Philosophical reading at this (for me, 12:30am) late hour! Well written, love that you included the Bacon quote which has long spoken to my Pagan heart.
“We die by lies,” is short and to the truth of the matter, perfect for signs.
This quote, from Andor, would have been my sign:
“The death of truth is the ultimate victory of evil.”
My very homemade sign because i’m “out of town” in NYC without access to my art supplies. This is the best I could do with a cardboard box, printer paper and a calligraphy pen. Hope is passes muster.
Thanks, Miles, for this outstanding piece. My sign has twice as many words, but is based on your suggestion. It says "Truth will sustain us; lies will destroy us".
I had already prepared a sign saying "Due to inactivity...Congress, you're fired! We the People will take up the mantle peacefully". I added your suggestion to the other side.
Until this year, I had never participated in a protest. This event will be my 6th. I am driven because I want my grandchildren to know I didn't stay silent.
We've become a Nation of people who have become so used to lies that we often don't know the difference because "we've heard it all before". NO, NO, NO. Listen, evaluate and compare with friends and neighbors. We can't accept media information, even the best have to be put to the test of reflection and conversation. On this special day, not only protest, but always question!!
This is sooo powerful and scary and true! So true it hurts. I am going to put Your suggestion on the backside of my poster for tomorrow! Thank you Miles 🇺🇸🙏.That also might be my next t-shirt,we will all check back in on Sunday.Travel safe.
I just returned from my city’s protest. There were twice as many participants as in June. It was FULL of positive energy, creative signs, animals and mythical creatures, and people of all ages. Almost every vehicle that passed us honked in solidarity, and the inhabitants waved and gave us the thumbs up. Many hundreds of cars passed us, which tells me that our protests don’t represent the full story of the resistance.
We know that our government has lied to us on occasion to protect us. We know that our government has lied once in a while to make deals that supposedly will benefit us. But this one just lies, and lies, and lies, and lies...to hurt us, to make us fear, to conform us, to force us. Lies cause us to turn on each other rather than the real threat. Lies are destroying our country, our democracy, and our freedoms. Keep fighting the lies.
When you appear on a television station I am watching, I turn up the volume. Your words, your writings feed my desire to better understand the tyranny we face, yet fostering hope that this, too, shall pass. Today, at age 88, I donned every yellow piece of clothing in my closet and proudly stood on the street in Cary, NC holding my sign that said, “I am Here for My Grandchildren.” The energy in the crowd, the honking of car horns, the brightness of the sunshine, lifted my spirits on this day to proclaim, we shall overcome.
Miles — this is powerful, and I appreciate your clarity in naming the danger so precisely. “We die by lies” captures the consequence. But I keep thinking about the mindset that enables those lies to live in the first place — the belief that truth is something we can choose, like a preference (a nod to Carl Sagan). That’s why I’d add: “You can’t choose your own truth. Be open to the real thing.” It’s a reminder that truth isn’t elective — it’s discovered. And rediscovering that may be the only way back.
What I hope with that challenge:
“You can’t choose your own truth. Be open to the real thing.”
is that it creates awareness and turns self-reflection into a call for intellectual courage. It seems less fatalistic.
Thank you Miles, this is powerful. If I didn’t already have my sign ready to go, I would want to use your slogan! Maybe I will embroider it onto a vintage handkerchief and post a photo of it on social media (not joking - I’ve been trying to come up with a good phrase for that very purpose). For this No Kings march I’ve decided to use a bit of humor. My sign features a large picture of a monarch butterfly, and it reads “THE ONLY ORANGE MONARCH I WANT.” I will be wearing a headband with green froggy eyes, and my t-shirt reads “It’s a Good Day to Defend Democracy.” Oh, and I will be using my free hand to wave an American flag. 🇺🇸 🐸 🚫👑
Miles, I went on a much shorter quest in my early 20’s, about truth and lies on a personal level.
Ultimately it became clear that if I lied about things, no one could ever get to know me, since all we ever know about another human is what they tell us. The consequences of lies are always devastating.
So the last 50+ years have been a struggle to never lie. Not even to exaggerate. I have skirted around the issue of lying by omission. It is also unpleasant.
This little lifelong experiment in personal truth telling has been so revealing, of myself and others.
Don’t know how this fits with your all inclusive one phrase to explain everything.
But it sure does explain my relationship with all those in power in our country today.
I don’t know who they really are, so I am stuck with thinking the worst in all things until they can prove me wrong.
Excellent analysis.
How are you doing?
I recently reread part of 1984. One phrase struck me as particularly salient: Orthodoxy is unconsciousness. I believe that point resonates with what you said about the need to resist the lies. IOW allowing yourself to defer your agency to peer pressure and societal orthodoxy is a way to get through life without taking responsibility for (enough of) your life. I RESIST and defy Trump's orthodoxy.
Making my sign now. Thank you, Miles! I'm so glad I found you through Lucid's Ruth Ben-Ghiat. You are now in my top five list which includes Ruth, Heather Cox Richardson, Robert Hubbell,
and Joyce Vance.
Excellent. I made a sign with your suggestion. Stay safe.
Me too. It'll be seen in Monterey CA
Me too!
Philosophical reading at this (for me, 12:30am) late hour! Well written, love that you included the Bacon quote which has long spoken to my Pagan heart.
“We die by lies,” is short and to the truth of the matter, perfect for signs.
This quote, from Andor, would have been my sign:
“The death of truth is the ultimate victory of evil.”
My very homemade sign because i’m “out of town” in NYC without access to my art supplies. This is the best I could do with a cardboard box, printer paper and a calligraphy pen. Hope is passes muster.
Thanks, Miles, for this outstanding piece. My sign has twice as many words, but is based on your suggestion. It says "Truth will sustain us; lies will destroy us".
I had already prepared a sign saying "Due to inactivity...Congress, you're fired! We the People will take up the mantle peacefully". I added your suggestion to the other side.
Until this year, I had never participated in a protest. This event will be my 6th. I am driven because I want my grandchildren to know I didn't stay silent.
We've become a Nation of people who have become so used to lies that we often don't know the difference because "we've heard it all before". NO, NO, NO. Listen, evaluate and compare with friends and neighbors. We can't accept media information, even the best have to be put to the test of reflection and conversation. On this special day, not only protest, but always question!!
This is sooo powerful and scary and true! So true it hurts. I am going to put Your suggestion on the backside of my poster for tomorrow! Thank you Miles 🇺🇸🙏.That also might be my next t-shirt,we will all check back in on Sunday.Travel safe.
Thank you! Making one for myself and a spare to share
I just returned from my city’s protest. There were twice as many participants as in June. It was FULL of positive energy, creative signs, animals and mythical creatures, and people of all ages. Almost every vehicle that passed us honked in solidarity, and the inhabitants waved and gave us the thumbs up. Many hundreds of cars passed us, which tells me that our protests don’t represent the full story of the resistance.
We know that our government has lied to us on occasion to protect us. We know that our government has lied once in a while to make deals that supposedly will benefit us. But this one just lies, and lies, and lies, and lies...to hurt us, to make us fear, to conform us, to force us. Lies cause us to turn on each other rather than the real threat. Lies are destroying our country, our democracy, and our freedoms. Keep fighting the lies.
When you appear on a television station I am watching, I turn up the volume. Your words, your writings feed my desire to better understand the tyranny we face, yet fostering hope that this, too, shall pass. Today, at age 88, I donned every yellow piece of clothing in my closet and proudly stood on the street in Cary, NC holding my sign that said, “I am Here for My Grandchildren.” The energy in the crowd, the honking of car horns, the brightness of the sunshine, lifted my spirits on this day to proclaim, we shall overcome.