NEIL POSTMAN
Bullshit and the Art of Crap-Detecting
The theory of “Crap Detecting” originated from
American writer Ernest Hemmingway.
Is there on thing needed to be a good writer?
“Yes, a built in, shock proof, CRAP DETECTOR.”
Neil Postman separates Crap Detection in four
parts:
1.Pomposity
2.Fanaticism
3.Inanity
4.Superstition
POMPOSITY
1. Pomposity is a fancy word for using big
complicated words to confuse the audience
into believing their words are actually legit.
2. Pomposity is very common among
politicians; politics is all about talking the
talk.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
BULLSHIT & LYING
When one person bullshits another, they
are unaware of the lies they may be
making since they believe in what they
are saying.
When lying, the liar knows exactly what
their saying and that it is false.
FANATICISM
1. Fanaticism is pretty much when you do not know the
answer, or might have a wrong answer, but refuse to
switch the topic or alter their opinion.
2. Religion follow fanaticism, a belief is put into
someone’s mind even though they have absolutely no
factual evidence it is correct. Same applies for cults, they
believe so strongly in something they are oblivious to its
proof.
"[Religious] fanatics are persons who attach to some
object an ultimate valuation and then attend to that
overvalued object with what is recognizable as a kind of
religious” -Lloyd Steffen
INANITY
1. Inanity = bullshit talk.
2. It’s all about talking a lot of nonsense
that makes it seem like you actually
know what you’re talking about.
3. Definition: The total lack of meaning or
ideas.
SUPERSTITION
1. Superstitions are beliefs that have absolutely no factual
evidence backing it.
2. For example: Americans have a superstition that their
country is the greatest in the world, even though there is
no proof of it.
“The amazing thing is there are people who've never left this
country who talk about the fact that we're the greatest
country on Earth. How fucking dumb is that?! Cuz you don't
know, if you haven't left here you don't know. There are
countries that may be giving shit away every day! Canada's
one of those countries. You know what they give away?
HEALTH INSURANCE!” –Lewis Black
NEIL POSTMAN’S BELIEFS
Neil says that people who believe strongly in
fascism, communism, capitalism, even patriosm
have serious issues with their CRAP DETECTORS.
They are so obsessed with their ideologies that they
have no idea how stupid it actually is.
Neil believes that answer to solving this problem is
to teach the youth how to detect the difference
between utter bullshit and the truth.
The 3 things he believes is necessary to detect
bullshit is:
1. You mustn’t be gullible
2. Be stupid to their pomposity
3. Assess the meaning of everything