The first evil skill I acquired was subterfuge.
Trying to deceive my parents is one of my earliest memories.
That was what my baby mind was thinking at the time, at least.
Subterfuge, gaming the system, and lying can be useful skills to have as an adultwhen applied appropriately.
Sometimes evil is justified, and other times, knowing evil means knowing how to beat it.
Check out our evil week tag page.
Winning the game is often about misdirection, aNavy SEAL explains.
Childhood offers plenty of opportunities to use this skill.
Perhaps being deceitful isnt an honorable skill, but it does help sharpen your problem-solving skills.
All kids learn subterfuge to some extent, and honing it generally just takes practice.
These things arent just accepted, theyre encouraged.
Gaming the System
Children are expected to know the rules and follow them.
My daughter is constantly testing for loopholes.
Ive learned I have to be very specific lest she back me into a corner.
Pushing boundaries is fun when youre a kid (or a kid at heart).
For example,ripping DVDs you own for personal use.
Loopholes arent always unethical, either.
Lying
Lying well is a skill.
According to child development experts, learning to lie isa developmental milestoneand an essential part of healthy brain development.
All kids lie, just like their adult counterparts.
Maybe its because we cant handle or arent ready for the truth.
Lying is a skill that helps you deal with life, even if youre lying to yourself.
Learning how to lie with confidence doesnt necessarily make you lie more often or make you a psychopath.
when really disagreeingthe small lies thatgrease societys wheelsandcreate less friction.Everybody lies.
Im learning that its not just about saying dont do that.
Photo remixed from an original byNowik Sylwia(Shutterstock).
