The Life-Changing Science of Detecting Bullshit

Why is there so much nonsense in the world, and how can we stop it from impacting our lives? This book challenges us to uncover and resist the epidemic of bullshit.

1. Bullshitting isn't the same as lying

Lying and bullshitting may look similar, but they are motivated by different goals. A liar knows the truth but aims to hide it, twisting facts to suit their purpose. A bullshitter, on the other hand, has little to no concern for truth. They speak or act without any regard to whether their claims are valid or false.

A perfect example is Kyrie Irving’s declaration that the Earth is flat. Despite centuries of solid evidence proving the Earth’s roundness, Irving disregarded facts and urged people to “do their research.” His aim wasn’t to deceive intentionally like a liar would, but to promote an unsupported claim without engaging with actual evidence.

To demonstrate the difference further, Donald Trump once falsely claimed it stopped raining as he began his inauguration speech. That’s a harmless piece of bullshit. However, his suggestion that injecting disinfectants might cure COVID-19 showed how harmful bullshit can become—it led to dangerous outcomes, including deaths, because people believed it.

Examples

• Kyrie Irving claiming the Earth is flat despite scientific consensus.
• Trump's harmless anecdote about the rain at his inauguration versus his dangerous COVID-19 disinfectant remark.
• Greek astronomer Eratosthenes proving Earth's roundness using shadows, countering flat-Earth bullshit.

2. Bullshit impacts how we think and decide

Bullshit doesn’t just sit idly—it rewires how we recall, believe, and act. By aligning with our desires or existing biases, it can stick in our minds long-term, regardless of factual errors. This makes it deeply deceptive and potentially damaging.

For example, wine in restaurants often has a 400% markup, but we accept it because the atmosphere convinces us it’s worth it. Similarly, climate change deniers cling to falsehoods about global warming being a hoax because it aligns with how they wish the world operated. Even when they learn otherwise, the original falsehood often returns to influence their thinking.

Another striking historical example is Mao Zedong’s decision to exterminate sparrows in 1950s China. He wrongly believed sparrows were destroying crops, not realizing they kept insect populations balanced. This decision, based on faulty beliefs, caused widespread famine, devastating millions.

Examples

• Restaurant customers pay massive markups on wine due to social cues and emotions.
• Climate change denial persists because the false belief feels easier than facing harsh scientific truths.
• Mao Zedong’s extermination of sparrows led to mismanaged ecosystems and famine.

3. Everyone is vulnerable to bullshit

Nobody is immune to bullshit, no matter how critical or astute they think they are. We’re all “bullible”—a term combining bullshit and gullibility—because we’re influenced by ease of understanding, mood, or emotional triggers.

Bertram Forer’s 1949 study highlights this point. Participants given identical personality evaluations overwhelmingly rated them as accurate, even though these descriptions were generic and not personalized. Similarly, people drawn into Ponzi schemes, like Bernie Madoff’s victims, show how even financial experts ignore red flags when an opportunity feels "right."

Agreeability also plays a role. People who avoid conflict are more likely to endorse nonsense simply to keep the peace. And when someone’s mood is uplifted, their defenses are lowered, making it even easier for bullshit to seep through unnoticed.

Examples

• Forer’s experiment: participants believed generic personality readings applied directly to them.
• Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi scheme tricked even financial experts despite obvious issues.
• People prone to agreeability publicly support misinformation to avoid confrontation.

4. Social pressure fuels more bullshit

Feeling obligated to contribute or appear knowledgeable drives people to spout nonsense, even on topics they hardly understand. This happens especially when someone feels expected to voice an opinion or is talking to an even less informed audience.

Research shows that 41% of participants bullshitted when paired with someone less informed on a topic, compared to 29% when they spoke with an expert. People in high-pressure environments, like influencers, often take advantage of this dynamic. For instance, Kylie Jenner gets paid millions for product endorsements even though her expertise is irrelevant—her perceived authority and social clout bypass scrutiny.

When stakes are low, we’re less likely to bs. However, in today’s social-media-driven world, where everyone feels pressure to opine publicly and quickly, the rate of bullshitting has skyrocketed.

Examples

• Research shows people bullshit more when speaking to less-informed listeners.
• Kylie Jenner’s endorsements rely on influence rather than expertise.
• Social media pushes individuals to comment even when uninformed.

5. Bullshitters rely on storytelling and superficial authority

Storytelling is a powerful emotional tool, which is why bullshitters often blend anecdotal evidence with pseudo-profound language to sound convincing. By creating a narrative, they distract from missing facts and logic.

A prime case was Dr. Douglas Biklen’s facilitated communication technique for autistic patients, which maintained traction despite studies debunking it. Similarly, Deepak Chopra regularly uses buzzwords and ambiguous language to push unproven wellness ideas. Another case in point: Donald Trump’s contradictory remarks about John Bolton, praising and villainizing him at different times, eroded reliable context for listeners.

Bullshitters thrive on trust and relatability. The better their story or the more likable they appear, the more persuasive their nonsense becomes.

Examples

• Biklen’s discredited “communication facilitation” still believed by many today.
• Deepak Chopra using jargon like “quantum consciousness” without evidence.
• Trump switching his narrative about John Bolton based on convenience.

6. Critical thinking is the antidote

To cut through nonsense, you need more than intuition; critical thinking is key. This means actively assessing information, checking for evidence, and questioning its source. Avoid making blind leaps based on charisma or authority.

Take TEDx talks, for instance. Cynthia Thurlow’s claims about intermittent fasting reducing risks of cancer and Alzheimer’s lack scientific backing but seem plausible because of her confident delivery. The audience’s failure to apply skepticism helps such claims spread unchecked.

When evaluating claims, ask questions such as: “What evidence supports this?” and “What motives might distort this claim?” This habit helps you resist bias and reject baseless beliefs.

Examples

• TEDx talks often overinflate credibility using polished presentations rather than solid evidence.
• Asking “how do you know this works?” helps weed out anecdotal claims.
• Evaluating a speaker’s motivations protects against manipulation.

7. Failing to question makes you complicit

If you don’t challenge bullshit, you indirectly allow it to thrive. By neglecting to ask thorough questions or investigate claims, you create an environment where nonsense proliferates.

Consider car deals. Salespeople omit inconvenient details, relying on buyers’ failure to push for clarification. Customers who do their homework and question sellers, however, often get better deals. Similarly, in broader decision-making, asking targeted questions fosters stronger judgment and reduces reliance on untested assumptions.

It’s a reminder that silence and complacency empower bullshitters to operate freely.

Examples

• Buyers lose money when they don’t question car sales tactics like hidden fees.
• Strong questioning prevents manipulation by emotional or biased narratives.
• Historical examples show that unquestioned bias leads to widespread societal harms.

8. Combating bullshit is everyone’s job

If everyone worked to reduce bullshit, the world would be more transparent, trusting, and rational. Doing this starts with calling out false claims—not to shame individuals but to cultivate evidence-based reasoning both individually and societally.

When misinformation spreads, like during the COVID-19 pandemic, it costs lives. Public resistance to masks showed how easily unchecked nonsense could damage communities. By contrast, promoting fact-checking, respectful debate, and intellectual humility helps build stronger societal norms against bullshit.

Calling out bullshit must go viral as a behavior that others replicate.

Examples

• Combating misinformation about masks during COVID-19 could have saved lives.
• Fact-checking websites help reduce social acceptance of pseudoscience.
• Encouraging curiosity and humility in students reduces future bullshit.

9. Self-awareness curbs personal bullshit

Recognizing your own limitations is essential. People unnecessarily bullshit because they fear looking ignorant, but admitting when you don’t know something can actually build credibility. Intellectual humility counters the temptation to spout unexamined opinions.

This approach leads to healthier discussions and stronger decision-making. Without self-awareness, you may unknowingly spread your own bullshit or even fall prey to it.

Acknowledging that no one has all the answers creates a culture of thoughtful discourse rather than unthinking participation.

Examples

• Admitting “I don’t know” fosters stronger trust than bluffing knowledge.
• Intellectual humility makes people receptive to feedback and correction.
• Educational methods encouraging curiosity build informed individuals.

Takeaways

1. Ask clarifying and specific questions to challenge vague or unsupported claims.
2. Cultivate intellectual humility by admitting when you're unsure or uninformed.
3. Use fact-checking tools regularly to validate information and identify reliable sources.