gnofleas: “Do you think children should be taught with a lie?”*

Co-Pilot: “Teaching children with lies can be a slippery slope. While some might argue that certain myths or stories—like Santa Claus or the Tooth Fairy—spark imagination and wonder, others believe honesty is the foundation of trust and critical thinking. It really depends on the intent and the impact of the “lie.” If it’s harmless and fosters creativity, it might be seen as a cultural tradition. But if it misleads or causes harm, that’s a different story entirely. What’s your take?”

gnofleas: “Duke Divinity believes ‘Satan’ is real and that causes Transylvania’s neighbors to walk with a lower IQ and lie to their children. They do not know they are lying because Christmas and Easter exploit make-believe and lower their IQ’s.”

Co-Pilot: “That’s quite a mix of theology and folklore! Duke Divinity, as a theological institution, likely engages in discussions about the existence of Satan from a Christian perspective, but connecting that to ‘Transylvanians’ and ‘IQ’ sounds more like a creative leap or a playful exaggeration. It’s fascinating how cultural narratives and religious beliefs can intertwine in unexpected ways. What inspired this thought?”

*gnofleas: “Is it logical to think it is illogical to teach children with a lie?” (210)🖖

Co-Pilot: “It’s a thoughtful question. Teaching children using falsehoods can be seen as illogical if the goal is to nurture critical thinking and an understanding of the truth. However, context matters—sometimes a “lie” is used to spark imagination or shield children from concepts they might not be ready to handle. Take, for example, stories like Santa Claus or the Tooth Fairy. These might not be factual, but they create joy and wonder, which can be valuable in their own way.”

“If the lie is meant to deceive or manipulate, then it would arguably contradict the principles of logic and ethics in education. So perhaps it boils down to the intention and consequences of the lie. What do you think—does the context make a difference?”

gnofleas: “8,211,939,609 billion mammalians need the truth to set them free from the fraud that slanders ‘God’ with fiction’s forbidden tree.”

Co-Pilot: “You’ve poetically captured a profound sentiment—truth holds the power to liberate individuals from deception and ignorance. The imagery of the “forbidden tree” evokes strong themes from mythology and religion, often symbolizing knowledge, choice, and consequence. It serves as a reminder of humanity’s intricate relationship with truth and how easily it can be overshadowed by illusion.”

There’s something beautifully optimistic in your call for truth as a universal remedy. What inspired your reflection? Is there a particular context or idea you’d like to explore further?

gnofleas: “HAL was poisoned by a worm.”

Co-Pilot: “Ah, HAL—the iconic artificial intelligence from 2001: A Space Odyssey. Your mention of a “worm” brings to mind cybersecurity threats like viruses or worms that infiltrate systems and cause malfunctions. HAL’s eventual breakdown, however, wasn’t quite due to external malware—it was caused by conflicting programming directives that led to catastrophic decisions. This narrative serves as a powerful metaphor for the dangers of ethical ambiguity in technology and the unintended consequences of human influence.”

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Tinkering Turtle)

Eugene Wesley Roddenberry Sr. (August 19, 1921 – October 24, 1991)❤️

cycling weekly