Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Anything for money.

I am constantly amazed at what people will do for money. I am watching the game show "Moment of Truth" on which people have a chance to win $1,000,000 by answering 21 very personal questions that get increasingly more difficult as the game progresses. If they answer all of the questions truthfully (as determined by a polygraph exam), they win the money. If the polygraph determines that they are lying at about even one question, they get nothing. At each stage, they are given the chance to take the money they have won up until that point and walk away. All the while, the host acts like he cares about the contestants and their families.

I know "keepin' it real" has become our society's mantra, and all too often an excuse for being mean. I believe some secrets are necessary. For example: You have a friend that is dumber than a box of rocks, right? And s/he asks you "Do you think I'm stupid?" What is to be gained by saying "Yes"? Nothing. Either outright lying or side-stepping the question (hey, your dumb friend might not even notice) and instead pointing out his or her good qualities might be a better way to go. I don't like to lie, but sometimes I just can't bring myself to tell the whole truth.

On this game show, people have destroyed their marriages, their parents marriages, their friendships, and their careers...all for the chance of winning a million dollars. Most of them go home empty-handed. There is no amount of money that could make me do that to people I care about. Why? So I can win my million dollars and not have my people there with me? What would be the point? Sure I could tell them "I'm about to put all y'all's business out in the street, but when I win the million, I'll give you a cut." I don't think I have any friends or family who have so little self-respect that they would agree to that.

Would anybody here go on a show like this? I'm curious. Holler @ me. I'm trying to understand.

--Nicole

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