Comments on: Wikileaks reveals the most stunning… er… revelation… of all

By: Jackthesmilingblack

Jackthesmilingblack — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 14:50:43 +0000

When kids see through the Santa myth, they start to grasp the concept of deception, followed by the realization that “adults lie”.
Which prepares them nicely to see through the religious deception that piled on them high and deep. Some of the smarter, street-wise kids eventually see through this pernicious superstition, however for the more gullible rubes, the head lice of humanity have a mug punter for life. Rather like addictive drugs.

By: Alisa

Alisa — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 10:28:45 +0000

And here was me, thinking Sharper Image was just for mundane things, like private submarines…

By: Alan K. Henderson

Alan K. Henderson — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 05:26:31 +0000

If the random beatings don’t work, there’s always the Home Enhanced Interrogation kit from Sharper Image. It’s for more than just interrogation. Maybe it’ll show up on the Amazon Friday Sale.

By: RW

RW — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 11:02:10 +0000

Ho ho ho!

By: Alisa

Alisa — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 10:33:20 +0000

I’m going to have to redouble the random beatings

It sounds like you are already doing more than enough, Paul H.:-)

By: PaulH

PaulH — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 05:44:28 +0000

And there was me thinking it was just a bit of fun and wonder for little kids. I can see I’m going to have to redouble the random beatings to help remind them that life is nasty, brutish and short.

By: Dave Walker

Dave Walker — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 23:45:08 +0000

That said, Santa Claus serves an interesting purpose, in encouraging scepticism.

Once a child finds out that Santa Claus is a lie, then provided they have (or develop) abilities of analogy and deduction, they will naturally start wondering (and maybe asking) what other things their parents have been lying to them about, or hiding from them.

“Is Santa Claus a worthwhile straw man in human character development? Discuss” .

By: 'Nuke' Gray

'Nuke' Gray — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 23:35:56 +0000

Dave, Santa claus fulfils the vital function of making people dependent on an outside entity, one who will grant all their wishes if they are good. Statists need him to help socialism seem like an acceptable alternative when kidlings grow bigger. (Whilst growing old is compulsory, growing up is optional!)
And, no, I am not just another bitter person named Nick who is forced to be nice to kids because I’m a natural for Saint Nicholas! Alright, I am, but it’s not the ONLY reason!)

By: N

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 23:25:41 +0000

Genius!

By: Dave Walker

Dave Walker — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 23:18:43 +0000

That certainly tickles my funny bone

Still, it also makes me wonder why parents continue to fill their childrens’ heads full of crap such as Santa Claus, and what, if anything, will make them stop.

Similarly, considering the number of complaints to OFCOM, why do children need to be “protected” from the sight of a bunch of attractive ladies performing a song and dance number, before the “watershed”?

Might it actually benefit human development, if children were not fed lies and not subjected to censorship, by their parents?