Foma

Here's the first post, from April of this year, to Live By the Foma. A new word for me, evidently from Vonnegut:

What are Foma?

Foma are the harmless untruths that get us through our life. Things like:

• Hard work gets rewarded.
  
  
• Anybody can grow up and become President.
  
  
• Your mother really likes the art you bring home from summer camp.

These lies are different from the three biggest lies (check's in the mail, etc.) because we need these lies. In a world of six billion people, who thinks their job, family role, social position, is unique and necessary? No one is irreplaceable, yet we all deserve some dignity and mutual respect. Even if that is just a foma as well.

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