The Truth About Miss USA, American Idol -- and Our Embrace of Illusion

Are you surprised when a politician stretches the truth? Most of us have witnessed this so often that we've become numb to it. But what about a starry-eyed contestant on "American Idol?" You've just heard him or her sing about as good as a cat in heat, and yet when asked about the performance, this same contestant says he believes he did a great job. Apparently, my ears are better at detecting truth than his. Or what about a beauty pageant contestant who claims she was denied the winning crown because of her personal opinion on gay marriage? Is she telling the truth? Or could it be that she lost because her response revealed, at worst, a disregard for accuracy and intellectual precision or, at best, an unfortunate case of nerves?

My mother always raised me to tell the truth, and while I do lapse now and then, I do strive to be a truthful person. That's why I'm disturbed by what I see in our culture as a growing disregard for truth. But this isn't garden-variety lying; it's lying with a twist so subtle that you don't even recognize it as lying. And more and more people are using this trick to justify all manner of delusions.

Back to the politician. Last week, Rep. Virginia Foxx of North Carolina shocked many when speaking out against passage of federal hate crimes legislation. She claimed that sexual orientation had nothing to do with the murder of Matthew Shepard, for whom the bill is named, even calling it "a hoax." This surprised many close to the Shepard murder case. Where did Foxx get her revelatory information? Turns out, she had cherrypicked a handful of interviews and comments about the case which are generally considered to be faulty and unreliable.

Foxx obviously chose those sources because they supported her political opinions. It was the "truth" that she and her supporters wanted to hear. So they searched until they found something that sounded good, sounded "true enough." This isn't anything new for politicians, but this habit is trickling down to the rest of us. And I fear we soon won't be able to tell truth from "true enough."

Take those hopeful "American Idol" contestants. We've all watched and listened in disbelief to contestant after contestant butcher a song only to insist, in the face of all evidence to the contrary, that he or she can really sing. We don't recognize talent! The judges are morons! After viewing several seasons of the show, I'm beginning to think that most of America is delusional, at least about their ability to carry a tune. Do these contestants have a hearing disability, by chance? On the contrary, the problem is that they are unable to recognize truth.

Perhaps their parents were afraid of damaging their child's fragile self-esteem, and so they lied and praised the child's singing ability. No wonder these same individuals break down in tears when sharp-tongued judge Simon Cowell delivers the cold, hard truth. They've never heard truth before.

Why can't they simply admit they cannot sing? For the record, I can't sing--and that's ok. It's simply the truth. I'm not even going to fall back on other excuses "Idol" contestants use, such as "I gave it my all" and "I just had fun." That's admirable, I suppose, but effort alone or how you feel about something doesn't make it exceptional, true or pleasant for the rest of us.

As another example, consider the recent outcome of the Miss USA pageant. Contestant Miss California was asked a question about gay marriage, and now she claims that her politically incorrect answer cost her the crown. I disagree. Have you actually listened to Carrie Prejean's answer? I don't think many people have, and yet she's now being touted by conservatives as a role model for young women and a champion of family values. Sadly, I think Prejean believes this is true.

If you set the politics aside, Prejean simply gave a poor answer. She spoke as if gay couples can choose to get married anywhere in America, which is false; it certainly is in Prejean's home state of California. Then, rather than talk about how the controversial issue has affected her life or how this country might come together in spite of this political hot potato, Prejean simply fell back on the worn-out and flimsy argument that she believes as she does because of her upbringing.

How uninspiring. In subsequent interviews, Prejean has been unable to articulate anything more about her political opinions; she's just "speaking from the heart" and she "believes strongly."

Seriously, is this the best we can do? Prejean lost because she gave a poor performance, and yet she and her supporters are attempting to turn it into something more profound by sheer force of will. It's only a beauty contest, but the sad part is Prejean's poor performance has worked to her advantage. She's eclipsed the pageant's actual winner in media attention and fame. And now her supporters have a sexy new spokesperson to reinvigorate a particular political issue--and it's all based on illusion. It's simply not true.

Television shows and beauty pageants are rather inconsequential in the grand scheme of things, but they reflect broad, underlying trends back to us. Our growing inability to recognize or admit the truth can be seen elsewhere. You see it in the refusal by some to recognize the validity of species evolution or climate change. How many more viruses have to mutate or how many more chunks of Antarctica will we lose before everyone comes around? For years, the American public was told our government did not torture, and we now know that to be false. Everyone has their reasons for lying, but that doesn't change a lie into truth--no matter how sincerely you speak from your heart nor how stubbornly you believe that your actions are right nor how desperately you want your lie to appear true.

Comments

[carsntrucks]

Interesting that you say honesty is important to you. Do you HONESTLY think she would've lost if she'd said she supports gay marriage?

[ImmanuelGoldstein]

"Also, "American Pride/Ego" prevents many of us from LISTENING to those who just may know MORE about a subject than we do. When Randy mentions pitch-problems, the audience disagrees (Randy's ear is Pitch Perfect); when Simon makes many critiques he is often RIGHT ON, but the audience boos."

I cam a fan of Simon. Although I thing I've watched American Idol maybe 3 times he fills a necessary role, THE VOICE OF REALITY.
Apparently a LOT of people go onto that show thinking they can sing. The obviously believe it because they are devastated when they find out they can't.
These people need to know they are wasting their time.
From the standpoint someone like Simon if you aren't good enough to make an experienced music proffesional's jaw drop you aren't worth a second glance, that's simply the fact of the business.

[incognito-ergo-sum]

My whole problem with beauty contests is that the word "Miss" is code for "Inexperienced young virgin". Never married, never had sex or a baby, never posed in the nude or partially nude. We all know what kind of man that appeals to.

[JohnBisceglia]

"After viewing several seasons of the show, I'm beginning to think that most of America is delusional, at least about their ability to carry a tune. "

As a music educator of 20+ years - my answer is "YES". The lack of proper early-childhood music & movement EXPERIENCES (at home and in "classes" like Musikgarten) has led to countless generations having UNDER-developed musical aptitudes. Musical aptitude is SET by age 9. The research of Edwin Gordon from the 90's onward is illuminating.

Also, "American Pride/Ego" prevents many of us from LISTENING to those who just may know MORE about a subject than we do. When Randy mentions pitch-problems, the audience disagrees (Randy's ear is Pitch Perfect); when Simon makes many critiques he is often RIGHT ON, but the audience boos.

If you have a child under 9 years old, PLEASE read "Endangered Minds" by Jane Healy. NOW.
Your child's brain development is on the line. Also, check out an early-childhood music program - I highly recommend Musikgarten, and NO, I am NOT a representativem but I have taken their teacher training and used their materials.

[Wes Isley - Huffpost Blogger]

Yes, we all need enough humility to listen to those who know more about certain topics than we do.

[Kenji]

Unless they are a little pitchy.

[johnbdonovan]

As Mother's Day approaches, I'd like to mention a huge lie that's really making the rounds, and it's that you can just hve a father take on one more guy as a roommate and have him equal the value of a mother for a little boy or little girl. It's funny when they do it in the movies but sad when they do it in reality.

[Kenji]

Yes, you clearly know a lot about being sad.

[BeninOakland]

Talk about stretching the truth, or lying as we prefer to call it? Foxx also claimed that she received death threats via email. That's a federal offense, yet somehow, there doesn't seem to be a lick of evidence, let alone xcharges, being brought against anyone.

Here's another one. all these homophobes like rick Warren and Joe the Plumber claiming they have gay friends. where are they?

The only homophobe who has- or did- gay firends is rudy giuliani, who had his secretary call to tell his BFF getting married that he owuld attned hte wddding he promised to officiate. dioes RG want to be governor badly enough to toss his BFF's under the bus? Only he knows for sure,.

[Wes Isley - Huffpost Blogger]

I know some conservative people who are basically homophobes—but I certainly don’t call them “friends.” I think yahoos like Joe the Plumber use this as a defense because deep down they know they are bigoted. It’s like a white racist saying he has black friends. Yeah, right.

[Ryan Spahn]

Come on are those who are trying to crucify her that stupid? This only extends her minutes of fame and if she's smart could turn out to be the next Vanessa Williams.

I have no idea who won the Miss USA pageant but I sure know about this chick!

[rcdcr]

at least Vanessa COULD sing! ; )

[Wes Isley - Huffpost Blogger]

Vanessa Williams was a talented woman who made some mistakes, and she had the grace and dignity to accept responsibility. Carrie Prejean appears to be a manufactured beauty who possesses little self-awareness or kindness. She has a lot to learn.

[Keri Piersall]

Well said.