Calling Bullshit 1.1: Introduction to Bullshit

Summary

In this thought-provoking discussion, Carl Bergstrom and Jevin West address the pervasive issue of 'bullshit' in modern society, spanning politics, science, advertising, and social media. They emphasize the critical need for individuals to develop skills to identify and refute false information, which is not just a trivial issue but can have serious, life-altering consequences. The conversation underscores the importance of education in equipping people to be savvy consumers of media and to discern truth from manipulation.

Takeaways

• 🗣️ The prevalence of 'bullshit' is a significant issue, affecting various aspects of society, including politics, science, education, and advertising.
• 🌐 Politicians often disregard facts, contributing to the spread of misinformation.
• 🔬 Scientific research is sometimes misrepresented through press releases rather than being accurately reported in academic journals.
• 🎓 Higher education systems are criticized for valuing superficiality over critical thinking.
• 🚀 Startup culture on the West Coast is accused of elevating superficiality and exaggeration to an art form.
• 📢 Advertisers have evolved from blatant untruths to more subtle methods, using irony to engage consumers and sneak in misleading messages.
• 💼 Administrative activities can involve the reassembly and manipulation of information to serve certain interests, which can be seen as a form of 'bullshit'.
• 📱 Social media platforms like Facebook have become hubs for the spread of misinformation, with users often unknowingly participating.
• 🚨 The ability to identify and refute 'bullshit' is crucial in today's information-saturated society, with real-world consequences.
• 🛡️ The importance of teaching media literacy and critical thinking skills to the public is emphasized, to empower individuals to discern manipulation and misinformation.
• 🏛️ The class 'Calling Bullshit' aims to equip students with the skills to analyze and challenge the validity of information, which is deemed more important than many other skills in the current era.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the discussion in the provided transcript?

The main theme of the discussion is the prevalence of 'bullshit' in various aspects of society, including politics, science, higher education, startup culture, advertising, and social media, and the importance of teaching people to identify and refute it.

Why do the speakers believe that the ability to identify and refute 'bullshit' is crucial today?

The speakers believe that the ability to identify and refute 'bullshit' is crucial because it can affect real-life situations, including matters of life and death, and it is a skill that is needed more than ever in today's society to be a savvy media consumer.

What is the role of irony in the spread of 'bullshit' as discussed in the transcript?

Irony is used as a Trojan horse in advertising, where advertisers invite people to join them in laughing at the 'bullshit,' which lowers their guard and allows for the subtle introduction of more insidious misinformation.

How does the speaker, Carl Bergstrom, describe the current state of science in relation to 'bullshit'?

Carl Bergstrom describes the current state of science as being conducted more by press release than through rigorous peer-reviewed journals, suggesting that the dissemination of information is prioritized over the accuracy and validity of the science.

What is the significance of the 'bullshit' class mentioned in the transcript?

The 'bullshit' class is significant because it aims to teach students critical thinking skills to detect and refute misinformation, which is seen as a vital skill in the current information environment.

Why did the speakers create a website related to the 'bullshit' class?

The speakers created a website to give back to the community and share the skills and methods they have learned, particularly in the area of data science, to help people on all sides of the political spectrum become more discerning consumers of information.

What is the connection between the 'bullshit' class and the broader issue of fake news?

The 'bullshit' class is directly connected to the issue of fake news as it teaches students how to critically evaluate information, including news articles, and discern真伪, which is essential in combating the spread of misinformation.

How does the speaker, Jevin West, relate the 'bullshit' class to his and Carl Bergstrom's professional work?

Jevin West relates the 'bullshit' class to his and Carl Bergstrom's professional work by drawing parallels between their expertise in peer review and fact-checking in science and the need to apply similar critical thinking skills to everyday information consumption.

What is the quote from Mark Galotti that resonated with the speakers?

The quote from Mark Galotti that resonated with the speakers is: 'Instead of trying to combat each leak directly, the United States government should teach the public to tell when they are being manipulated.' This quote emphasizes the importance of education in media literacy.

What historical perspective does the speaker, Jevin West, provide on the value of education?

Jevin West provides a historical perspective on the value of education by quoting John Alexander Smith, who stated in 1914 that the main, if not the sole purpose of education, is to enable students to detect when someone is 'talking rot' or spreading misinformation.

How does the speaker, Carl Bergstrom, view the role of higher education in the context of 'bullshit'?

Carl Bergstrom views higher education as a system that often rewards 'bullshit' over analytic thought, suggesting that it may not be fostering the critical thinking skills necessary to identify and refute misinformation.