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  1. EsquireA.J. Jacobs7/24/0724 min
    53 reads19 comments
    8.7
    Esquire
    53 reads
    8.7
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    • Pennyforyourthoughts3 years ago

      A thoroughly enjoyable read! And I’m cringing while realizing that I’ve been referring to myself as radically honest, without knowing about the actual movement. I always thought it was just a great way to describe valuing honesty in high stakes situations even at the risk of ruffling feathers, not being hesitant to speak up, etc. I am not prepared to fart in front of literally everyone - BRB going to go scrub my LinkedIn of all references to radical honesty lol.

      • thorgalle
        Top reader this weekReading streakScoutScribe
        3 years ago

        Glad you found this one back! It's a one-of-a-kind read. I don't remember having felt as uncomfortable, while still smiling, since.

        BRB going to go scrub my LinkedIn of all references to radical honesty

        😂 well, I believe your prior conception of "radical honesty" was in line with most people's understanding of it anyway. So it probably doesn't hurt.

        • Pennyforyourthoughts3 years ago

          Haha yea my reaction while reading this was a mixed bag of awkwardness, laughing out loud and horrified all at the same time. I admire the author’s brave (crazy?) IDGAF self assurance to even try it lol.

    • pandemia4 years ago

      The journalist is a little jerk but the article is funny and I like the radical honesty concept

      • Karenz3 years ago

        I was laughing out loud in some parts of this. The author does a great job with humor. I’m a therapist—I don’t think my clients would appreciate radical honesty! I’m sure I wouldn’t appreciate radical honesty. Still, the impulse is surely there at times! I enjoyed this!

    • joanne
      Top reader this weekReading streak
      4 years ago

      Interesting theory but I think it crosses the line into creepy. I believe in honesty maybe not radical honesty. I like to filter my thoughts thru the 4 gates if speech. Is it the truth? Does it have to be said? Is now the right time? And how do I say it as compassionately as possible? He just blasts thru the first gate and that is totally unfiltered. Blanton should read a book about mindfulness and empathy.?

      • thorgalle
        Top reader this weekReading streakScoutScribe
        3 years ago

        Nice reference to those 4 gates! I see how they could reduce harmful speech. At the same time, thinking about these all the time sounds exhausting. Seems to be much written on it, gotta read up.

      • pandemia4 years ago

        What does it mean creepy in this context? I don’t understand

    • DellwoodBarker3 years ago

      Controversial yet the Core Liberations behind this philosophy are Pretty Remarkable as evidenced in these paragraphs. Secrets & Shame & Guilt that have plagued Us for so long and could even cause physical or emotional or success barriers of painful dis-ease are suddenly Illuminated and lift off light as a feather:

      That's one thing I've noticed: When I am radically honest, people become radically honest themselves. I feel my resentment fade away. I like this guy. We have a good meeting.

      In fact, all my relationships can take a whole lot more truth than I expected. Consider this one: For years, I've had a chronic problem where I refer to my wife, Julie, by my sister's name, Beryl. I always catch myself midway through and pretend it didn't happen. I've never confessed to Julie. Why should I? It either means that I'm sexually attracted to my sister, which is not good. Or that I think of my wife as my sister, also not good.

      But today, in the kitchen, when I have my standard mental sister-wife mix-up, I decide to tell Julie about it.

      ”That's strange," she says.

      We talk about it. I feel unburdened, closer to my wife now that we share this quirky, slightly disturbing knowledge. I realize that by keeping it secret, I had given it way too much weight. I hope she feels the same way.

    • bill
      Top reader of all time
      4 years ago

      Ten. AJ Jacobs is a legend.

      Published in ‘07. (Maybe not publishable today?)

      • dukie44 years ago

        The casual sexual harassment in the name of honesty was a clear sign this was not from 2020.

        • bill
          Top reader of all time
          4 years ago

          Exactly. There are pros and cons to that fact.

      • pandemia4 years ago

        Now I make a connection I didn’t get before;-)

        • theesakker4 years ago

          The MySpace reference? It seemed strangely anachronistic but now it makes sense...

    • jackdille4 years ago

      Super enjoyable read but if I was to try I think I'd experience many of the same events the author did - yikes. Google Brad Blanton as the author nailed his description, I can practically hear his laugh.

      • bill
        Top reader of all time
        4 years ago

        Google Brad Blanton as the author nailed his description, I can practically hear his laugh.

        lolol 👍👍

    • Abarlet4 years ago

      Very funny. Reality? Let's hope not. I am pretty sure I could not be in the same room with someone who practiced this type of radical honesty. There is radical honesty that comes from a 5-year-old (Your hair looks funny.) And then there is radical honesty that comes from a full-grown adult, which is just rude and insulting, and didn't your Mom teach you any manners? I guess I must fall into the radical Dishonesty camp. Still a funny read.

      • bill
        Top reader of all time
        4 years ago

        Great comment. Great alternative perspective!

    • Tonianni4 years ago

      Being honest should help us rethink our thoughts.

      It appears the problem stems from what and how we think about things. The bible tells no lie

      “ A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of” Luke 6:45