How Do We Get Smarter? (Part 2)

Learn to ask 'Why is this lying b*stard lying to me?'

"When a politician tells you something in confidence, always ask yourself 'Why is this lying b*stard lying to me?'" Loius Heren

It’s a phrase that bristles with suspicion and clarity in equal measure: “Why is this lying bastard lying to me?” Attributed to legendary Times correspondent Louis Heren and later championed by BBC’s Jeremy Paxman, it’s more than a cynical quip—it’s a philosophy. A mindset. And in today’s media and political landscape, it might just be the question we all need to start asking again.

In an age of spin doctors, algorithmic echo chambers, and performative politics, the line cuts through the noise like a scalpel. It doesn’t just assume dishonesty—it interrogates motive. It demands that we not only question what we’re being told, but why we’re being told it.

For journalists, it’s a call to arms. The long-form political interview—once a staple of democratic accountability—is now an endangered species. Soundbites have replaced substance. Press conferences are stage-managed. And too often, the media becomes a megaphone rather than a microscope.

But this isn’t just about journalism. It’s about citizenship.

In a democracy, truth isn’t a luxury—it’s infrastructure. And when public trust erodes, when facts become optional and narratives are weaponized, the entire system begins to wobble. That’s why this question—provocative as it is—matters. It reminds us that scepticism is not cynicism. It’s vigilance.

So how do we apply it today?

• Community empowerment: Equipping everyday citizens with this instinct helps build a healthier democracy because they’re learning to think for themselves. We need to teach it. We need to model it. We need to embed it into civic education and media literacy. We encourage citizens to ask not just “Is this true?” but “Who benefits if it isn’t?” We train ourselves to spot the dodge, the deflection, the carefully crafted half-truth.

• Media literacy: In a disinformation-rich world, teaching people to ask “What’s being left out?” and “What incentive drives this narrative?” is vital. Whether it's a news story, an ad, or a viral post, the question helps cut through the noise.

• Advocacy strategy: When dealing with politicians or public institutions, assuming spin isn't paranoia—it’s strategy. This perspective helps craft sharper questions, challenge euphemisms, and expose contradictions.

Because in the end, democracy doesn’t just need voters. It needs critical thinkers.

And maybe, just maybe, it needs a few more people willing to ask: Why is this lying b*stard lying to me?