I recently started watching “Lie to Me,” a crime-drama series centered around Dr. Cal Lightman, an expert at detecting lies or hidden truths by observing body language and microexpressions through the Facial Action Coding System, which he uses to help various clients (many in law enforcement). The character is based on the real-life Paul Ekman, an expert on body language and facial expressions. In what is now known as “The Wizards Project,” he and a colleague identified 50 people with the ability to spot deception after testing 15,000 people. Many experts remark, however, that this ability can be learned (guess what I’ve started to research…).
In an odd coincidence with the post I recently wrote, the first episode included a clip between Lightman and his daughter as she prepares to go on a date. I thought you might find it as appropriately funny as I did… (more after the video)
I think you can agree that having a heightened sense of microexpressions and body language would be a huge asset. Not only could you spot a lie, but, as the characters in Lie to Me often do, you could pick up on all manner of communication nuance that could be used to create more productive interactions. What would you do if you could “read faces”? Would it change how you interact with others?
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#1 by Adam on April 16, 2009 - 5:07 am
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I forgot to mention that one of the reasons I really like Lie to Me is that it takes a new approach to crime dramas – which is getting increasingly difficult. I enjoy the Law & Order franchise for it’s matter-of-fact cops-on-the-beat storylines, the three CSIs and Bones for the forensics side of things and even the new Southland for a gritty depiction of the ugly side of police work. Lie to Me focuses on the psychological aspect, which is of particular interest to me.