But frequently, being seen as a good liar is an asset than a liability. Thinking of people like Musk and Altman here, and also the more mundane examples of sociopaths and con men (“he’s a bastard, but he’s our bastard”). It’s often more advantageous to be seen as a good liar, than to actually be a good liar.
Thinking of more concrete, everyday, scenarios where your ability to lie is seen as an asset:
White lies
When someone shares yet-unpublished research results with you
I’d guess, based on these, that the main effect of being able to lie better is being seen as more consistent, and making complex social or political systems easier to deal with when you are involved. People can share information with you, while not expecting second or third order consequences of that. People can trust that regardless of what happens in your personal life, they will not need to spend their own emotional energy dealing with you. They can trust that they can ask you how they look, and consistently get an ego boost.
Thinking of more concrete, everyday, scenarios where your ability to lie is seen as an asset:
White lies
When someone shares yet-unpublished research results with you
Generally secrets confided to you
Keeping a professional demeanor
Generally being nice
You just have to say that you’re fine
I’d guess, based on these, that the main effect of being able to lie better is being seen as more consistent, and making complex social or political systems easier to deal with when you are involved. People can share information with you, while not expecting second or third order consequences of that. People can trust that regardless of what happens in your personal life, they will not need to spend their own emotional energy dealing with you. They can trust that they can ask you how they look, and consistently get an ego boost.