I thought this post was funny and a good first-principles exploration of the cultural weirdness that is Systematically Lying to Kids About Santa Claus.
I do think it misses the point though (as it should) that to believe in Santa Claus despite apparent evidence to the contrary, to believe for the sake of believing, can be seen as a metaphor for choosing to see a world of wonder, despite abounding cynicism and all rationalism telling you that the world is unmagical.
In that sense, Santa Claus truly exists for the adults. It gives them an opportunity to rediscover the childlike wonder that they have lost over time. The preservation of the Christmas tradition serves as a final affirmation of the rightness and goodness inherent in seeing the world with wonder. Santa Claus is an egregore reminding adults not to take life so seriously. We lie to our kids about Santa Claus for selfish reasons.
Yeah, I think there’s a certain wonder in Santa Claus. Believing for the sake of believing makes the world a more optimistic place to live in. But believing for the sake of it is a very bad idea when it comes to deciding things that matter, so it’s important to call if out when you see it.
I’m not against continuing to tell kids this lie, the post is mostly looking at the funny tricks we play on kids; it really is a conspiracy!
I’m imagining a 5 year old rationalist telling their parents about their newfound skepticism of the world and beginning of their philosophical journey. Santa could truly be a gateway drug to a lifetime of existential pondering.
My parents didn’t do Santa, and it may have had that effect on me. It sure stuck with me when I got in trouble at school for telling kids that Santa wasn’t real and trying to argue the particulars.
I told my daughter, when she asked, that Santa Claus is a game we play together at Christmas. Eventually, if you do it right, you get to be Santa Claus.
I thought this post was funny and a good first-principles exploration of the cultural weirdness that is Systematically Lying to Kids About Santa Claus.
I do think it misses the point though (as it should) that to believe in Santa Claus despite apparent evidence to the contrary, to believe for the sake of believing, can be seen as a metaphor for choosing to see a world of wonder, despite abounding cynicism and all rationalism telling you that the world is unmagical.
In that sense, Santa Claus truly exists for the adults. It gives them an opportunity to rediscover the childlike wonder that they have lost over time. The preservation of the Christmas tradition serves as a final affirmation of the rightness and goodness inherent in seeing the world with wonder. Santa Claus is an egregore reminding adults not to take life so seriously. We lie to our kids about Santa Claus for selfish reasons.
Yeah, I think there’s a certain wonder in Santa Claus. Believing for the sake of believing makes the world a more optimistic place to live in. But believing for the sake of it is a very bad idea when it comes to deciding things that matter, so it’s important to call if out when you see it.
I’m not against continuing to tell kids this lie, the post is mostly looking at the funny tricks we play on kids; it really is a conspiracy!
I’m imagining a 5 year old rationalist telling their parents about their newfound skepticism of the world and beginning of their philosophical journey. Santa could truly be a gateway drug to a lifetime of existential pondering.
My parents didn’t do Santa, and it may have had that effect on me. It sure stuck with me when I got in trouble at school for telling kids that Santa wasn’t real and trying to argue the particulars.
I told my daughter, when she asked, that Santa Claus is a game we play together at Christmas. Eventually, if you do it right, you get to be Santa Claus.
In a nutshell: