reader. writer.

I’ll be the first to say that the harmful impact of policies, such as cutting access to healthcare and food, deserve more attention and outrage than the window dressing of public performances. Still, this year has been marked, tainted even, by the eagerness of people in the highest positions of power to state shameless lie upon lie, often accompanied by a Greek chorus of sycophants, giggling like adolescent boys repeating the lies as if saying them enough times will make them true. 

Another time I may explore the ways in which words have power. Today, I want to point out the limits of lies. I offer a phrase as a token, a way to ward off evil perhaps, to those of us who still understand which way is up and which way is down: The world is round.

If someone raises their voice to tell you the world is flat…the world is still round.

If someone debates so well that they appear to win the debate as they announce the world is flat…the world is still round.

If someone won more votes in an election and claims that means he can tell you the world is flat…the world is still round.

If someone with endless wealth and power informs you the world is flat…the world is still round.

If a famous celebrity informs you the world is flat…the world is still round.

If someone can get you fired because you don’t agree that the world is flat…the world is still round.

If someone explains to you that it is against their religion to claim that the world is round…the world is still round.

If someone who seems perfect tells you the world is flat and someone who is imperfect tells you the world is round…the world is still round.

If someone is right about almost everything else but then they tell you the world is flat…the world is still round.

Even if the people you like tell you the world is flat and the people you don’t like tell you the world is round…the world is still round.

I don’t think it’s always necessary to tell the “flat Earthers” in this analogy that they are wrong. Instead, let this phrase remind you that we don’t have to argue over that which is incontrovertible, truths that we hold to be self-evident—that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity with basic rights respected, that this round world is our only planet and we should cherish it and every human living upon it, etcetera.

Don’t give their lies any oxygen, and don’t waste energy reacting to such poison.

Smile to yourself and remember: the world is round.