Well, not always. That’s why it’s so important.

We don’t expect an actor to tell the truth. That’s their job.

Musicians and other performers are playing a role.

And social niceties encourage us to put on a smile and share appreciation, even in situations where it might not be fully honest.

On the other hand, organizations like the SEC insist that a CEO actually say true things. “Just kidding” is hard to rely on when making investment decisions. And we expect that the medical and judicial systems we depend on are built on inspectable, consistent truth-telling.

Social media has rewarded people for bringing a post-reality mindset to places where sincerity is expected. In other words, it’s profitable to lie. Inconsistently, often, and with brazen disregard for the consequences. And it feels wrong for important reasons.

Altering the venues where it’s expected that truth will be told is tempting to do and hard to live with.