Harry G. Frankfurt’s On Bullshit is in my view hilarious and heartbreaking.
As for the latter, the distinctions in the book between lies, bullshit, humbug (new ways of viewing a different attitude related to bullshit like a second cousin), and intention had me reflecting on relationships with friends, family, and partners or dating. Even groups I serve(d) from military to boards, jobs in teaching, to politics, and people I've looked up to.
The former, hilarious, relates to my reflection and laughing at how obvious BS is when I understand the difference between this and a ‘bold-faced’ lie. Or, a lie of perception with supporting facts based on the side of belief the individual is on. Having had a relationship with bullshitters is funny in contexts upon reading now. How obvious using this text. Although heartbreaking at the time.
Besides owning the book bought a copy of Audible for a few dollars rather than convert text to speech with Speechify. Mostly because I’d like to revisit the topic multiple times without having to retake screenshots for conversion since Speechify only allows so much storage.
My purpose for reading and reviewing regularly for use is in regards to marketing. As an aspiring author will undoubtedly be marketing for the remainder of my life.
While also teaching others about as a consultant branding is a means of marketing. How we share reality is hugely important. If we develop a strategy on Bullshit for marketing reflects our brand.
In the world today nothing goes away. This is how past transgressions while acceptable ‘then’ aren’t now. We will get called out communally for the newly accepted sin. Which was a sin within lack of conscientiousness or training at the time.
Building a brand minus bullshit may be a challenge given how we are raised or fear and even who we focus on. Meaning those in the world we idolize who influence us.
This book distinctly petitioned to my mind a particular politician. The obvious bullshit by the definition of the book is so obvious when applied.
The other definitions where people believe the lies or BS they promote is a whole different ideology due to intention.
The intention of which we are aiming for is distinctive. If we are lying there's a method to deception with intent as opposed to the bullshitter who doesn't care one way or another and may or may not believe the crap they're weaving with a certain message they may know very little about.
The pandemic certainly has a measure of a little bit of every description in the book.
If you're gonna make a review comment without reading the book would make for a very simple misunderstanding of the review and my view on the book or the hot topic of the pandemic.
I'm merely sharing observations in brief of how the book aroused a need to dig deeper personally. To ensure bullshit is never allowed in brand marketing not encouraged for client growth.
It's my choice to not participate in bullshit or people who exemplify this though before reading the book see how bullshitters had weaseled into my inner circles through life. I laughed at how obvious this is now though at the time can not believe how gullible I was.
How I found this book is saw it in a pile Brene Brown had in her office. Why I waited a year to read it through with purpose is to partner with my word of the year, Peace.
Every year I pick a word to represent a focus for the 365 days. Rather than my old way of creating a mission and vision statement with ways to accomplish this and a whole lotta reviews of progress, goals, etc.
My only goal yearly now is to pick a word. Creatively focus on what this means. Develop a reading list that addresses spaces that interfere with the success of meaning attainment. And, help weed the spaces filled with for lack of a better word bullshit that distracts from what I need, and most of what I want.
It’s super easy to pick books about peace. A larger difficulty I’m enjoying is weeding the less obvious challenges.
This book has assisted me in recognizing ways I sabotage mental and personal peace tolerating bullshit I wasn’t astutely aware I allowed.
Being able to spot the lie is easy. Simple. Mostly. But, bullshit is not so simple. As the person is “never tell a lie when you can bullshit your way through”.
“The bullshitter … does not reject the authority of truth, as the liar does … he pays no attention to it at all. By virtue of this, bullshit is a greater enemy of the truth than lies are”.
Being middle-aged having grown up without present parents am fortunate that a few adults demonstrated healthy attitudes about life.
It’s been through faith practice I’ve learned what truth and lies are. How they hurt or help. The art of bullshit was never part of life lessons until adulthood.
If you’ve never been hurt by a bullshitter or acknowledged the difference between certain politicians to family or people once considered or maybe still do consider friends this might be a great short read for reflection.
Buying on Audible to follow along in the book enjoyed this because I could focus on hearing and digesting. Being read to with some books feels like sharing space with a friend, caring person, or sometimes from a teacher depending on the narrator.
This book reads as though it’s a serious subject. Though I had difficulty not laughing based on some examples either from my own life or in the world today.
This book vibes like clipping sheers to weed a garden. Or, a tiller if you have so much BS in your life that needs constructive acceptance. This book can be a way of cleaning up life’s garden. Making room for more beautiful flowers and landscapes for enjoyment.
I’m laughing at the idea the review is so long for such a short book.
Bullshit is deep and I’m hoping this review is the pair of boots you need and or want to wade to the book 😊
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ because some of the book spends a lot of time distinguishing humbug from BS that felt excessive for me to make a point.
Having a leather-bound copy of such a little book gives a distinct impression of its value. For this, I’m adding back the ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Though, leaving off my traditional 💯. So not to bullshit the reader into thinking I didn't notice at least one area that vibed four stars.
The overall impact of the book's meaning is five stars for me. I got a lot out of this little book. Gained improved senses for what BS is. Knowledge for understanding creating wisdom in the insight of choices is always a blessing.
Who needs more space for happiness and less anxiety, fear, distraction? Check On Bullshit out for answers to ways to improve and eliminate with awareness.
Owning authentically all decisions makes dealing with bullshit way easier. A little TP and flush. Rather than not cleaning these people away from influence.
Consider who you follow on media. Associations. Inner circle people. Is it better to adjust now or continue to tolerate what eats away at personal peace?
How you brand yourself eill determine how the world sees and the legacy being left for generations.
May we all have more piece, happiness, and understanding and less crap that interfere with our well being and that we share with the world
❤️
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Reviews with images
Fun, But Not Enough
This tiny book is really just an essay, and you can read it in a sitting or two. It was published almost twenty years ago, and it’s showing its age. The constant use of "he" as a generic pronoun is irritatingly old-school. Also, the author keeps talking about "the proliferation of BS," but doesn't comment – for reasons of age – on the way online BS disrupts our lives.More generally, the author observes that "BS is a greater enemy of the truth than lies," but doesn't bother to support the claim. In 2003, two years before this essay was published, Colin Powell told the UN, "Saddam Hussein has chemical weapons." …but was General Powell lying or BSing? Which is more dangerous?As a government drone myself, I agree with the author’s observation that "BS is common in public life," but he doesn’t explore the consequences. Like all BSers, he isn’t concerned with outcomes.Now that I think about it, did the author just BS me out of ten bucks??
Top reviews from other countries
MisterB
Entertaining and informative.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 11, 2022Willem Hartman
Enquête philosophique intéressante
Reviewed in France on April 18, 2022
