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Bullshit can be defined as a deliberate attempt to
steer an audience away from the truth, or to delay
an audience from understanding the truth. Unlike
doublespeak, which
actually redefines the truth, bullshit is used
primarily to protect the speaker from being thought
by the audience an idiot.
Characteristics of bullshit:
- It's not the same as lying -- lying is a
deliberate attempt to communicate false information.
- Because it's not lying per se, people might
easily prefer bullshitting.
- Although bullshit may be employed when the
truth is undesirable, it may also be used as a
delaying tactic -- abandoned when the results
come in. (Example: Congressional filibustering)
- Bullshit can be easily recognized through a
large quantity of words that say nothing relevant
(as opposed to saying nothing at all). In a
technical setting, jargon will flow freely as
part of bullshit. But recognizing it requires
concentration on the listener's part.
- Bullshit succeeds when the audience feels
content without the truth! (If this were not
possible, there would be no bullshit.)
- The bullshitter will generally be the person
known to have opinions on everything. (Why,
that's me! LOL)
References
Frankfurt, H. "Reflections on Bullshit." Harper's,
02.1987.
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