Urgh, I so agree with this. I've actually been thinking about this a lot lately, and it's one of the reasons that I just hate school now.

Now, before I start, let me say that YES I have spoken white lies. I have said someone's picture or writing is nice when in my mind I'm thinking 'My God, that is awful.' But I try not to do that anymore, and I hated myself for doing it when I did it. Because to do so is bullshit. And that's what I hate. I hate all the bullshit that people are full of. And it's not just a few people, or it would be tolerable. It's almost everyone, online and at school and everywhere else, goddammit. People are friendly to your face and then when you're gone they say horrible things about you, they mock you, they put you down and laugh about you. People pretend they like your art, or your writing, or your characters, and then you find out they were full of crap and they never really liked any of it at all. Or, at school, a person will compliment a drawing and then continue acting like a bitch the next day. Urgh! Bullshit!

And it's not just because people have ulterior motives. It's because people are pussies. They're spineless, weak worms who not only can't handle the truth, they can't handle TELLING the truth because god forbid it might lead to a confrontation, or even a discussion. And you know what? I've been guilty of this. I've lied to avoid confrontation, but like I said, it's something I'm trying not to do and I hated myself when I did it. Because it's just cruel, it's just stupid. Why is a white lie cruel? Because you're cheating that person. You're telling them you like it when you don't, and if they ever find out, obviously they're not going to trust you, are they? Because if you lie about that, what else do you lie about? Everything, maybe.

But I'm not saying that people should just frankly mouth off to everyone. I still advocate kindness. If I read something I don't like (which happens a LOT in Lit Mag XD), or if I see a piece of art I don't like, either I say something constructive, I say nothing, or I find something about it that I like and comment on that (since usually every poem or every picture has some likable aspect. a lot of stuff sucks, but most of it isn't total crap). Although, with art, even if I like the picture as a whole I tend to comment specifically on a part that I really like (like, coloring, or design, or clothing).

On another note, I guess I should be thankful that most (note that I say most. not all. but most) of my readers are brutally brutally honest people (and loyal. thank you) who don't hesitate to point out mistakes and awkwardness. I guess I don't get upset about it because (besides it usually being phrased in a relatively non-offensive way..) there's usually some compliments in there too, but you should see some of the feedback I get... XD Anyway, I'm glad that I attract honest people and not sycophants who just like everything I do (although a sychophant or two is nice XD;;), for the most part. -_-