Like most people, I find the Straussian notion of the “noble lie” more than a little bit disturbing. Like Ezra, however, I am willing to make an exception in the case of cell phones on airplanes. Even though most planes will not spontaneously crash when cell phone calls are placed on them, it’s a good thing if a lot of people think that they will. A world where there are no cell phones on planes – nay, a world in which I do not have to suppress homicidal urges whilst traveling – is a good world. Though, as Ezra says, a world in which my internet addiction can be satisfied whilst flying is better still.