Telling an obvious lie is a signal of loyalty

Telling an obvious lie is a signal of loyalty.

Why? I think it boils down to who benefits when people tell the truth vs. when they lie. When people tell the truth, whoever around them tried to cheat, finess, profit from unfair advantage, loses profits but the whole society (or even humanity) benefits in the long run (maybe over generations). Conversly, when people lie, cheaters and bandits profit here and now, at the expense of slowing the progress of the society in the long run.

So choosing to lie is signaling to that small group of cheaters that you plan to side with them and betray the long term societal progress.

Telling an obvious lie under pressure is a signal of obedience. That’s why all “humiliation rituals” when a scientist has to publicly cry apologising because his tropical shirt offended someone.