Spotting bullshit

Martyn Jones, Cariño, 14th October 2024

Narrator:  Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the fabulous Mel Brooks.

Dole Officer: “Occupation?”

Citizen: “Standup-Philosopher!”

Dole Officer: “What?”

Citizen: “Standup Philosopher. I coalesce the vapours of human experience into a viable and logical comprehension.”

Dole Officer: “Oh! A bullshit artist!”

So, what can we do about the surfeit of bullshit and the plethora of bullshit artists?

Dud: Let me see, is this about scamming the dream, the professional IT bullshitters and the damage they do?

Pete: Platforms like LinkedIn, X and Facezuck love them. Case in point. They control LinkedIn. And they are, to a man, complete and utter arseholes. Walking, talking, living crap.

Dud: People who talk in absolutes.

People who avoid discussing risk.

People who present act-free claims.

People who present lies as fact.

People who have a track record of bullshitting.

Pete: Spotting bullshit, disinformation, or misinformation can be challenging. Still, there are several strategies you can use to evaluate the credibility of information.

Dud: Would you care to expand on that, Pete?

Pete: It would be my pleasure, mon Dudley.

Dud: Let’s rock and roll, Pete!

Pete: First, check the source. Look for reputable sources with a history of reliability. Consider whether the source has expertise in the relevant field.

Next, cross-check information: Look for multiple sources that confirm the same information. If a claim is only reported by one source, it may be suspect.

Thirdly, assess evidence. Evaluate the evidence provided. Are there data, studies, or credible testimonials backing the claims? Vague assertions without support are often red flags.

Then, be alert to emotional and emotive language: Be cautious of language that provokes strong emotional reactions. This can indicate manipulation rather than factual reporting.

Fifthly, identify logical fallacies. Look for flawed reasoning, such as overgeneralisations, straw man arguments, or emotional appeals. These can undermine the credibility of an argument.

Then, check the dates and context. Ensure the information is current and relevant. Context matters and outdated information can mislead.

Also, look for expertise. Consider whether the author or speaker has relevant qualifications or experience. Experts in a field are more likely to provide credible insights.

Penultimately, be sceptical of absolutes. Overly definitive Claims (e.g., “always,” “never”) are often misleading. Most situations have nuances and exceptions.

Finally, trust your instincts: If something feels off or too good to be true, take a moment to investigate further before accepting it as fact.

Dud: That seems magnificent and comprehensive, Pete. Will you name your sources?

Pete: Not yet, Dud. The agencies that I still advise wouldn’t take kindly to that. However, I can assure you that applying these strategies can improve your ability to discern credible information from misleading claims.

Dud: As George Carlin said, Dud, “It’s all bullshit, folks, and it’s bad for ya.”

Pete: Or as Ozzy put it, “Your bullshit culture licking can’t stop the death watch ticking.”

Narrator: To repeat, trust and verify, comrade!