In this insightful discussion, Carl Bergstrom, a biology professor at the University of Washington and co-author of "Calling Bullshit," explores the pervasive nature of misinformation. He delves into the origins of bullshit, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the vital role of social networks in spreading deceptive information. With his expertise, Bergstrom emphasizes critical thinking and data literacy as essential skills. He also critiques the influence of social media algorithms and the challenges scientists face in maintaining objectivity amidst political storms.
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insights INSIGHT
Bullshit vs. Lying
Bullshit differs from lying.
Liars know the truth but obscure it; bullshitters don't care about truth.
insights INSIGHT
Bullshit's New Reach
Modern interconnectedness allows bullshit to spread faster and further.
Understanding this helps recognize and avoid spreading it.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Animal Bullshit
Stomatopods bluff with weak claws while molting.
Ravens use theory of mind to deceive, showing deception's deep roots.
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In 'Calling Bullshit,' Carl T. Bergstrom and Jevin D. West provide readers with tools to critically evaluate information, especially in the context of data-driven narratives. The book addresses how to identify and refute misinformation by understanding statistical fallacies, data visualization, and the distinction between correlation and causation. It emphasizes the importance of skepticism in a hyperpartisan media environment.
On Bullshit
Harry Frankfurt
In 'On Bullshit', Harry G. Frankfurt argues that bullshitters misrepresent themselves to their audience not by deliberately making false claims, but by conveying a certain impression without concern for whether anything is true. He distinguishes bullshitting from lying, noting that liars at least acknowledge the importance of truth, whereas bullshitters disregard it entirely. Frankfurt contends that excessive indulgence in bullshit can undermine the capacity to tell the truth in a way that lying does not, making bullshit a greater enemy of truth than lies. The book explores the prevalence of bullshit in modern society and its implications for communication and truth[1][3][5].
We are living, in case you haven’t noticed, in a world full of bullshit. It’s hard to say whether the amount is truly increasing, but it seems that everywhere you look someone is trying to convince you of something, regardless of whether that something is actually true. Where is this bullshit coming from, how is it disseminated, and what can we do about it? Carl Bergstrom studies information in the context of biology, which has led him to investigate the flow of information and disinformation in social networks, especially the use of data in misleading ways. In the time of Covid-19 he has become on of the best Twitter feeds for reliable information, and we discuss how the pandemic has been a bounteous new source of bullshit.
Carl Bergstrom received his Ph.D. in biology from Stanford University. He is currently a professor of biology at the University of Washington. In addition to his work on information and biology, he has worked on scientific practice and communication, proposing the eigenfactor method of ranking scientific journals. His new book (with Jevin West) is Calling Bullshit: The Art of Skepticism in a Data-Driven World, which grew out of a course taught at the University of Wisconsin.
Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas 
