Is it OK to believe in something that is not true?

[_Moniker]

I think when you're aware of someone believing in something that isn't true you should make damn certain what it is they believe and why they believe it.

[_cinepro]

Anyone interested in this subject should see the documentary My Kid Could Paint That.

It tells the story of Marla Olmstead, a 4-year old who painted "modern art". Things get interesting when the documentary filmmaker himself begins to have doubts about the origins of her paintings...

[Guest]

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[_John Larsen]

Anyone interested in this subject should see the documentary My Kid Could Paint That.

It tells the story of Marla Olmstead, a 4-year old who painted "modern art". Things get interesting when the documentary filmmaker himself begins to have doubts about the origins of her paintings...

Great film, it says a lot about human nature and our need to believe--as well as the nature of people who deceive for "righteous" purposes. Many believe that Joseph could not have committed the fraud he did under good conscious, but it fact it happens all of the time.

[_EAllusion]

Interestingly, I'm familiar with this story and I think the art is pretty bad if we are judging it soley on the merits as a serious contribution to the field. It is, however, technically impressive for the age she allegedly produced it at, which is what makes it notable. Assuming she isn't a fraud, as she grows up, the pool of people who share her technical skill is going to grow. Eventually, it won't be all that special at all. By then she better have improved drastically in vision or she'll just pass on as a throwaway curiosity. That's not to say she can't have a Thomas Kinkade sort of success, but it would be nice if in addition to financial success she didn't suck.