in the open space: God & culture

In the “Tractor Man” episode of Lie to Me , Eli Loker (Brendan Hines) is in charge of taking care of a group of third-graders on a field trip to the Lightman Group Offices (a private company that uses the applied sciences of lie detection)—a job complicated when a potentially (and literally) explosive situation develops near the office building they are located in. As he and their teacher (Felicia Day) try to keep the children entertained and shield them from knowing about the danger, they work with the children to develop the following (rather insightful) song: I say I’m 10 when I’m nine and a half, My uncle tells a joke and I try to laugh, In gym I fake a headache when I want to quit I say I love the sweater that my grandma knit But that’s a white lie (white lie) That’s the kind you wanna tell A white lie (white lie) So you’re mom won’t have to yell A white lie (white lie) Everybody does it cause it feels alright and it’s more polite But a lie’s still a lie even when it’s white I pre...

In “The Core of It” episode of Lie to Me , Ria Torres, an employee of The Lightman Group (a private company that assists in investigations using psychology, particularly the science of deception detection) and Dr. Cal Lightman’s protégé, is trying to process through a recent case during which she experienced a lack of confidence in her abilities. Torres: Why did you put me on this case? You knew I wasn’t ready. Lightman: Far as I can tell, you nailed it. He pauses. Lightman: Look, what do you want to be when you grow up? Torres (indignant): I am grown up. Lightman: Terrific. What are you? The question throws Torres, and she struggles for words. Torres: I’m a—I’m a— Lightman: You’re on your way to becoming one of the world’s leading experts in deception. But up here— He points to his head— Lightman: —you’re still a baggage screener at the airport. Til you change that, you’ll always think you’re not ready. Torres takes in his words and then sits down across from him. Torres: ...