Technology can bring out the best in us. But it also does the complete opposite. When it comes to communication, a new study found that people online lie the most via video chat.

In terms of most lies per social interaction, video chat beats the phone, social media, texting, and even face-to-face conversation. Conversely, people lie the least often when communicating via email.

The author of the study, David M. Markowitz of the University of Oregon, believes certain factors play a huge role on the rate of lying over different forms of media. For one, he thinks some media are simply better at facilitating deception.

Markowitz’s study has also mirrored similar results of a 2004 study that observed how synchronous conversations that aren’t recorded and permanent could lead to more instances of lying.

This is why people lie least often on emails—they’re recorded messages and they’re mostly used in professional settings.

Source: The Conversation

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  1. The contrast between synchronous video chat and recorded email made me think about how different tools shape interaction. I like that Oskarstalberg takes a quieter approach to digital creativity: building island towns block by block gives you a way to explore without goals or social pressure.

  2. The point that video chat beats the phone, social media, texting, and even face-to-face conversation is fascinating. It makes me appreciate quieter creative activities like building an island town in Townscaper, where the focus is on shaping the scene rather than managing a conversation.

  3. The point about email leaving a clearer record while video chat feels more fleeting was a useful way to frame this. It made me think about how helpful step-by-step hints can be in other areas too, like working through a NYT Pips puzzle without jumping straight to the full answer.

  4. The detail that people online lie the most via video chat stood out to me, especially next to the point about email leaving a more permanent record. It connects with how I handle project notes: Markdown previewed in MD Viewer feels easier to review than a quick call, especially when exporting a clean copy afterward.

  5. The point that video chat beats phone, social media, texting, and even face-to-face conversation for lies per interaction really stood out. It made me think about why clear written notes matter for NYT Pips solvers too: good progressive hints can guide someone without adding more ambiguity.

  6. Interesting how the study separates different kinds of online communication, especially the idea that video chat can encourage more off-the-cuff deception than recorded channels. It makes me appreciate calmer digital spaces too, like creative building games where the whole point is making something honest and low-pressure.

  7. This study is fascinating! It makes me wonder—what are the most common lies people tell on video calls? Do you think this impacts how we build trust online?

  8. Interesting contrast between video chat having the most lies per interaction and email having the least because it leaves a more durable record. It made me think about how useful searchable transcripts can be for meetings or interviews where people need to revisit exactly what was said instead of relying on memory.

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