The Slippery Nature of Bullsh*t

We’ve all been there – in a meeting, in a comment thread, or in a conversation with someone who says something that just doesn’t feel right. It’s not a lie, but it’s not the truth either. This is the realm of bullsh*t, and it’s a lot more insidious than we think.

Source: cdn2.psychologytoday.com

Bullsh*t is not just about making things up; it’s about creating a narrative that’s convincing enough to be believed. And the best part? It’s often more persuasive than lying. According to new research, people are more likely to believe a claim made by someone who is bullsh*tting than by someone who is outright lying.

So, why does bullsh*t work so well? The answer lies in the way our brains process information. When we hear a claim repeated over and over again, our brains start to associate it with truth, even if there’s no new evidence to support it. This is known as the illusory truth effect, and it’s a powerful tool in the arsenal of the bullsh*tter.

The Bullsh*tter’s Advantage

But bullsh*t isn’t just about repetition; it’s also about creating a sense of familiarity and comfort. When we’re exposed to a claim that’s repeated over and over again, our brains start to associate it with a sense of ease and confidence. And that’s exactly what the bullsh*tter wants – to create a sense of familiarity that makes us more likely to believe the claim.

So, how can we protect ourselves from the insidious power of bullsh*t? The answer lies in being aware of the tactics that bullsh*tters use. One of the most common tactics is to create a sense of outrage and indignation. By doing so, the bullsh*tter can create a sense of moral urgency that makes us more likely to believe the claim.

The Outrage Trap

But here’s the thing – the outrage trap is a double-edged sword. While it can create a sense of moral urgency, it can also lead to a backlash of anger and resentment. And that’s exactly what the bullsh*tter wants – to create a sense of outrage that makes us more likely to engage with the claim, even if it’s not based on facts.

So, how can we avoid the outrage trap? The answer lies in being aware of the tactics that bullsh*tters use. By recognizing the signs of bullsh*t, we can protect ourselves from its insidious power. And that’s exactly what we’ll explore in this article – the tactics of the bullsh*tter and how to protect ourselves from their insidious power.

The BRODA Tactic

One of the most common tactics used by bullsh*tters is the BRODA tactic – Bait, Refuse Open Dialogue, and Attack. This tactic involves creating a sense of familiarity and comfort by repeating a claim over and over again. But when someone tries to challenge the claim, the bullsh*tter refuses to engage in open dialogue and instead attacks the person who’s trying to challenge them.

So, how can we protect ourselves from the BRODA tactic? The answer lies in being aware of the signs of bullsh*t. By recognizing the tactics that bullsh*tters use, we can protect ourselves from their insidious power.

The Power of Truth-Indifference

But bullsh*t isn’t just about creating a sense of familiarity and comfort; it’s also about creating a sense of truth-indifference. When we’re exposed to a claim that’s repeated over and over again, our brains start to associate it with a sense of ease and confidence. And that’s exactly what the bullsh*tter wants – to create a sense of truth-indifference that makes us more likely to believe the claim.

So, how can we protect ourselves from the power of truth-indifference? The answer lies in being aware of the tactics that bullsh*tters use. By recognizing the signs of bullsh*t, we can protect ourselves from its insidious power.

The Adaptive Function of Epistemic Ambiguity

Bullsh*t is not just about creating a sense of familiarity and comfort; it’s also about creating a sense of epistemic ambiguity. When we’re exposed to a claim that’s repeated over and over again, our brains start to associate it with a sense of ease and confidence. And that’s exactly what the bullsh*tter wants – to create a sense of epistemic ambiguity that makes us more likely to believe the claim.

So, how can we protect ourselves from the adaptive function of epistemic ambiguity? The answer lies in being aware of the tactics that bullsh*tters use. By recognizing the signs of bullsh*t, we can protect ourselves from its insidious power.

In conclusion, bullsh*t is a powerful tool that can be used to manipulate people into believing false claims. By recognizing the tactics that bullsh*tters use, we can protect ourselves from its insidious power. And that’s exactly what we’ve explored in this article – the tactics of the bullsh*tter and how to protect ourselves from their insidious power.

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