Why Do We Talk So Much Nonsense?
The Science of Bullshit
We all like to think of ourselves as rational beings who value truth and reason. But the reality is, we’re all prone to talking nonsense sometimes. This phenomenon is known as “bullshitting.”
Bullsh*tting is defined as “a pervasive social behavior involving communication with little to no concern for evidence and/or established semantic, logical, systemic, or empirical knowledge.” In other words, it’s making stuff up without caring whether it’s true or not.
Why Do We Bullshit?
According to research, there are two main factors that contribute to bullshitting:
- Social pressure: When we feel pressured to have an opinion on a topic, even if we don’t know much about it, we’re more likely to make something up.
- Lack of accountability: If we don’t think anyone will challenge our claims, we’re more likely to let loose with the nonsense.
The Impact of Bullshit
Bullsh*tting can have a negative impact on our public discourse and our personal relationships. It can lead to misinformation, distrust, and even conflict.
How to Combat Bullshit
The good news is that there are things we can do to combat bullshitting. One of the most effective strategies is to simply call people out on it. When someone makes a claim that seems dubious, ask them for evidence to support it. If they can’t provide any, then you know they’re probably just talking nonsense.
Another strategy is to promote critical thinking and evidence-based reasoning. This means teaching people how to evaluate information and make informed decisions. When people are more critical thinkers, they’re less likely to be fooled by bullshit.
Individual Differences in Susceptibility to Bullshit
Some people are more susceptible to bullshitting than others. Research has shown that people who are less analytic, less intelligent, higher in religious belief, and more prone to “ontological confusion” (believing that the mind can control the physical world) are more likely to accept bullshit.
The Role of Critical Thinking in Resisting Bullshitting
Critical thinking is essential for resisting bullshitting. When we think critically, we evaluate information carefully and make judgments based on evidence and reason. We don’t just accept things at face value, and we’re not afraid to challenge claims that seem dubious.
The Importance of Evidence-Based Reasoning in a Post-Truth Society
In a world where misinformation is rampant, it’s more important than ever to be able to think critically and evaluate information based on evidence. By promoting critical thinking and evidence-based reasoning, we can help to create a more informed and rational society.
Additional Research
In addition to the research on why people bullshit, there has also been research on why some people are more likely to accept bullshit than others. One study found that people with a heightened response bias are more likely to accept corresponding ideas and pseudo-facts. Another study found that people who are less analytic, less intelligent, higher in religious belief, and more prone to “ontological confusion” are more likely to accept bullshit.
This research suggests that there are individual differences in susceptibility to bullshitting. Some people are simply more likely to be fooled by nonsense than others. However, critical thinking and evidence-based reasoning can help to protect us from the dangers of bullshitting.
Strategies for Combating Bullshitting
Here are some tips for combating bullshitting:
- Call people out on their bullshit.
- Promote critical thinking and evidence-based reasoning.
- Be aware of your own susceptibility to bullshitting.
- Be skeptical of claims that seem too good to be true.
- Ask for evidence to support claims.
- Don’t be afraid to challenge claims that seem dubious.
By following these tips, we can help to create a more informed and rational society.
