Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

> Some state secrets probably are for public benefit.

You can have secrets without having lies. Observe:

"What is the top speed of an F-16 fighter jet?"

"That information is classified."

I'm not entirely convinced there's any case where lying is required.




The problem becomes that not everything can be feasibly boiled down to purely true or false accuracy.

If you ask me how much is in my bank account, and I tell you it was $50 last time I checked, but I knew a $2000 deposit was coming, did I lie?

If you ask me about whether UFOs are real, and I tell you I've never seen one or met someone who credibly has, but I know we have a classified "Earth-Vulcan Treaty Negotiation" committee, did I lie?

If you ask me about the existence of programs to assassinate a dozen foreign leaders, and I answer 10 of them don't exist and say the answer to 2 are classified, but I know all 12 don't exist, did I lie?

It all goes down a rabbit hole of agency, intent, provability, and expected perception of what you communicated.




Consider applying for YC's Fall 2025 batch! Applications are open till Aug 4

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: