Gain or loss is probably the first consideration when one comes to a turning point where he needs to make an important decision. The road not taken will make totally different results. In a capitalistic and utilitarian modern society, people seem to choose the one that will profit themselves both in reputation and estate. However, for Li Huiren (李惠仁）, a documentary worker and citizen journalist, to have a clear conscience is his criterion.
2008, Li made the most important decision in his life, that is, to make the documentary The Secret That Cannot be Poked (不能戳的秘密). He had already resigned a high-paying job in TV station years ago and was living in a lower standard material life, so that he could concentrated on tracing the prevalence of Avian influenza in southern Taiwan. Moreover, he risked himself and his family, for he was threaten not to make it. Despite many losses in life and long-term frustrations from authorities, he got many helps from professionals and encouragements from like-minded people. When asked why he persisted in working hard to reveal the truth that was deliberately obscured by the health authorities, he said: “ to have a clear conscience, most of all, to leave my children courage to challenge the authorities and pursue the truth.” Unquestionably, Li gained what he wanted when the health authorities declared on March 3, 2012, that the first case of highly pathogenic H5N2 Avian influenza virus (首例H5N2高病原性禽流感病毒）occurred. There had been 737 days since the first official document that recored the possible situation.
On the other hand, many officials of the Council of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine Bureau are under investigation for concealing the epidemic now. The secretary of the bureau had resigned subsequently. These officials must have faced the dilemma as Li had during 737 days. Some of them might struggle to tell the truth, but some to hide it. The diverse criteria for considering gain or loss in making decision resulted in a non-noble lie. This non-noble lie has brought a lose-lose to both the government and people. These officials gained nothing but lost everything: their statuses, reputation, and most of all, their conscience. Their children would surely be ashamed of these parents.
Lie has been proved to be a noble person, and this is his greatest gain. If he happened to say a lie, that would be a noble lie. People may still believe him. However, those officials have been proved to be non-noble persons, and that is their greatest loss. People may distrust them when they are telling the truth. From this contrast, it does offer us a lesson of gain or loss.
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