Rhetoric & Composition II Rotating Header Image

Your B.S. Meter

“… and so we might say that the most important thing one can acquire in college is a well-functioning bullshit meter. It’s a technology that will never become obsolete.

“Putting it this way may sound flippant, but a serious point is at stake: education for democracy not only requires extending educational opportunity but also implies something about what kind of education democratic citizens need.”

— Delbanco, “What is College For?”

“Consequently, the bullshitter is faking things, but that does not necessarily mean he gets them wrong. He simply doesn’t care. In contrast, the liar must know the truth of the matter under discussion in order to better conceal it from the listener or the reader being deceived with a lie, while the bullshitter’s sole concern is personal advancement and advantage to his or her agenda. Bullshit thus is a greater enemy of the truth than are lies.” (61)

— Frankfurt, On Bullshit