millbank Posted August 23, 2006 Share Posted August 23, 2006 How To Detect Bullsh-- BS detection The first rule of BS is to expect it. Fire detectors are designed to expect a fire at any moment: they’re not optimists. They fixate on the possibility of fires and that’s why they save lives. If you want to detect BS you have to swallow some cynicism, and add some internal doubt to everything you hear. Socrates, the father of western wisdom, based his philosophy around the recognition, and expectation, of ignorance. It’s far more dangerous to assume people know what they’re talking about, than it is to assume they don’t and let them prove you wrong. Be like Socrates: assume people are unaware of their own ignorance (including yourself) and politely, warmly, probe to sort out the difference. The first detection tool is a question: How do you know what you know? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dean Posted August 23, 2006 Share Posted August 23, 2006 How To Detect Bullsh-- BS detection The first rule of BS is to expect it. Fire detectors are designed to expect a fire at any moment: they’re not optimists. They fixate on the possibility of fires and that’s why they save lives. If you want to detect BS you have to swallow some cynicism, and add some internal doubt to everything you hear. Socrates, the father of western wisdom, based his philosophy around the recognition, and expectation, of ignorance. It’s far more dangerous to assume people know what they’re talking about, than it is to assume they don’t and let them prove you wrong. Be like Socrates: assume people are unaware of their own ignorance (including yourself) and politely, warmly, probe to sort out the difference. The first detection tool is a question: How do you know what you know? 750219[/snapback] "Studies show that liars pants are flame resistant.." Around here, the best BS Early Warning System is simply looking to see who posted the comments in question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crap Throwing Monkey Posted August 23, 2006 Share Posted August 23, 2006 "Studies show that liars pants are flame resistant.." Around here, the best BS Early Warning System is simply looking to see who posted the comments in question. 750240[/snapback] And if the truth is dressed in "Armor of God" pajamas, it's a pretty big !@#$ing clue... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RayFinkle Posted August 23, 2006 Share Posted August 23, 2006 Be like Socrates: assume people are unaware of their own ignorance... I have been doing this for years. I thought it was because I'm an a**hole, but maybe it is because I'm a genius and philosopher!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
/dev/null Posted August 23, 2006 Share Posted August 23, 2006 one well known method how to detect bullsh-- 1. open your web browser 2. enter the following url: http://www.stadiumwall.com 3. read posted messages Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef Jim Posted August 23, 2006 Share Posted August 23, 2006 one well known method how to detect bullsh-- 1. open your web browser 2. enter the following url: http://www.stadiumwall.com 3. read posted messages 750373[/snapback] No, that's just a stupid detector. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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