Everybody Lies

Imagine having a window into the most private, unfiltered questions and confessions people carry in their heads. That is precisely what the internet provides, especially through search engines. Rather than tidied-up survey answers, we find individuals admitting their fears, resentments, hopes, and embarrassing curiosities. This raw, unguarded sharing of behavior is the essence of what this book calls “big data truths.” In many ways, we have lived in a world of partial truths, where people strive to appear better, friendlier, or more successful than they really are. Official reports and media narratives only scratch the surface. By comparing what people say publicly versus what they search privately, the author reveals stark contrasts between polished talk and genuine thought. In this page-based summary, you will see how data can confirm common beliefs—or shatter them entirely. You’ll also see how hidden behaviors online can rewrite our understanding of racism, parenting regrets, relationships, politics, and much more. The journey begins with a simple premise: given the right tools, we can finally see what has been hidden all along.

This summary introduces key insights from studies that rely on the unprecedented honesty of internet searches. In doing so, it challenges readers to question traditional assumptions about how we gather and interpret information. Each page will spotlight a major aspect of these revelations—from everyday biases and surprising global comparisons to the possibility of using big data for good. The goal is not to turn everyone into professional data scientists but to encourage a shift in perspective. When public statements and private behaviors diverge, which one do we trust? As you’ll discover, there is immense power in analyzing the digital footprints we all leave behind. Welcome to a new lens on human nature.

One of the biggest claims of this book is that search histories reveal more about our genuine mindset than face-to-face surveys ever can. People often lie in polls or hush certain views in public. Yet when they type queries into a private search engine, they share things they would never admit to a neighbor or sociologist. This phenomenon explains surprising patterns—for instance, the hidden prevalence of searches involving intolerance or adult topics. Google Trends alone collects billions of key terms that may contradict poll results. It allows us to peek beneath society’s polite surface and track spikes in curiosity, fear, or bias.

Despite its power, online data must be interpreted with caution. Not everyone searches accurately or uses the same words, and some queries may be jokes rather than genuine confessions. Still, patterns in aggregated data can be telling. We see them in unexpected correlations—like how certain health terms link to seasonal patterns, or how interest in a political candidate flares and fades. Ultimately, these digital breadcrumbs help us see beyond polite veneers. They highlight the difference between how we strive to appear and who we truly are. Understanding this gap can shift our perspective on topics as wide-ranging as sexual orientation, voting choice, or even which diseases might surge in a region.