Turn Again

They tell us that people shouldn’t claim to be anything that they are not.

But how much should they claim to be something that they actually are. In other words, how much should they promote, self advertise.
Push, even. Bend the truth. Exaggerate their CV. Play down why their first marriage failed when advertising what a great life partner they’d now make.
It is presentation.
Spin.

Plenty of people, women in particular, say they value the truth above all things.
They don’t.
This is just a well-worn coquettish ‘survey response’ which likely reflects reflection upon periods of questionable judgement - some with permanent consequences. But at least that shows growth. The entertainment world is full of those who tell us they made the same mistakes all their adult life and then they make a confessional interview at the age of 70 about how they wish they’d done it all differently.
Really?
Really??
They didn’t wish it at any of the thousands of moments before now. At least not hard enough for it to change their actions, outlook or decisions. Apparently.
It is possible they are stupid but more likely they made choices that served them at the time. Or they are stupid. And if so what are they now? Not stupid? Plenty of people get stupider the older they get and don’t have the flexibility to reach around it.

No.
What women actually value is flowers. Notes. Holidays. A bit of a laugh once in a while.
And these things are just presentation and spin.
That’s why it sells.
Even a lottery ticket has an element of fun and danger. And maybe he won’t come home drunk tonight again.
If you genuinely value something highly, surely you learn to recognise it.
It is so for any skill such as a language or a magician learning tricks. If it isn’t instinctive, then just give yourself ten years.

I think I’ve spoken before on this blog about the death of integrity. Or at least its value in society. I’m not blazing any new trail here. The politicians and business leaders, the outsourcing companies and local councillors, the naive teachers, minor celebrities and scoutmasters. Nothing new. Just more.

What people value is a performance.
We might as well be honest about it.
When busily nuanced there is sufficient texture to pin any personal ideals and fake idols onto a good performance it. You can read allsorts into Shakespeare that a first glance would not have thought possible. Add a few fart gags and a good central performance and you might come out of the theatre thinking you like Shakespeare. Even love him! Bigging him to others who know he is crap.

For the rest of the human race still looking to learn this truth, there is sadly little advantage to a long dedicated slog over the appeal of a few party tricks.
The endless fun of jokes you’ve told a thousand times before. A present that went so went down so well you bought ten of them.
A romantic poem you wrote when you were 17 then recycled shamelessly changing only the name.
Spin.
Tricks.

That’s where the party is so why not cross the road?
Or is that just what chickens do?