Life — February 23, 1922 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is the cover of *Life* magazine's "Liars' Number" issue. The central image depicts a cherubic, mischievous child figure carrying an oversized swastika symbol while running away—the subtitle reads "Getting away with it." The satire targets dishonesty and deception in public discourse circa 1922. The swastika here likely references post-WWI propaganda or false claims circulating in that era, rather than Nazi symbolism (the swastika predates its later appropriation). The child "getting away with" carrying this symbol suggests how falsehoods spread unchecked through society, with innocent or mischievous intent disguising more sinister underlying issues. The cover humorously critiques widespread public deception and misinformation of the period.