On Bullshit
The document discusses the nature and prevalence of bullshit, distinguishing it from lying and exploring its connection to skepticism and the pursuit of personal sincerity.
added by Matthew Giampetroni and ยท updated 6mo ago
The document discusses the nature and prevalence of bullshit, distinguishing it from lying and exploring its connection to skepticism and the pursuit of personal sincerity.
added by Matthew Giampetroni and ยท updated 6mo ago
It is impossible for someone to lie unless he thinks he knows the truth. Producing bullshit requires no such conviction.
Matthew Giampetroni added 2y ago
alex added 6mo ago
sari added 1y ago
Thoughtful attention to detail requires discipline and objectivity. It entails accepting standards and limitations that forbid the indulgence of impulse or whim. It is this selflessness that, in connection with bullshit, strikes us as inapposite. But in fact it is not out of the question at all. The realms of advertising and of public relations, an
... See moreIsabelle Levent added 2y ago
For the bullshitter, however, all these bets are off: he is neither on the side of the true nor on the side of the false. His eye is not on the facts at all, as the eyes of the honest man and of the liar are, except insofar as they may be pertinent to his interest in getting away with what he says. He does not care whether the things he says descri
... See moreMatthew Giampetroni added 2y ago
Most people are rather confident of their ability to recognize bullshit and to avoid being taken in by it
Matthew Giampetroni added 2y ago