Bullshit as the Refusal of Truth: A Collective Exploration
“Where does the line between sincerity and convenient illusions run?”
We recently gathered online to talk about the phenomenon of bullshit—not simply lying, but the ways we sometimes reject truth to satisfy social expectations, corporate culture, or our own fears. The topic resonated with many of us: some had encountered widespread “sugarcoating” in their projects, others noticed how easily we deceive ourselves. Almost everyone felt the need to pinpoint that fine boundary between genuine honesty and “playing to the audience.”
Why Talk About Bullshit?
“I want to find beacons in the modern world,” one participant shared.
Our entire discussion revolved around these “beacons of truth”: how to be more honest with ourselves and how not to get lost in a global flow of distortions.
Entrepreneurs complained that in dealing with teams and structures, they often face “paper metrics” that no one intends to actually fulfill.
Psychologists and psychotherapists noted the world is full of half-baked ideas posing as universal methods. Meanwhile, even well-researched practices can sometimes sound convincing but fail to consider the full context of a person’s life.
People exploring spiritual life admitted it’s easy to get lost among numerous teachings and popular speakers who “impose their charisma,” mixing grains of truth with outright nonsense.
The overall feeling: bullshit is everywhere, and simply discussing it felt like an attempt to “surface” and look around.
The Paradox: We Generate It Ourselves
Just as much as external distortions caught our attention, so did the question:
“Where am I becoming a generator of bullshit?”
One participant admitted that while selling products, they often want to “slightly embellish” results to attract an audience.
Another mentioned giving “correct answers” in conversations with loved ones: they want to offer support but end up delivering learned scripts rather than real feelings.
A third realized that sometimes they’re not at all sure they can distinguish fabrication from fact—especially when they don’t fully trust themselves or the source of information.
In this sense, bullshit is something we both consume and spread. At the same time, we’re looking for ways to cope with it.
Where Does the Boundary Lie?
Several participants expressed doubt:
“We say ‘this is bullshit,’ but maybe for someone else it’s the truth?”
There’s a realm of “magical thinking,” where we see signs everywhere. It might be self-deception, but subjectively, it helps a person feel guided.
Some emphasize academic rigor and fact-checking, yet even the most evidence-based method can become hollow if it’s applied out of context.
Others note that they’ve turned to spiritual paths to escape the hustle, only to discover “blind spots” in every tradition.
It turns out each of us has our own criteria for what’s “true” versus “just for show.” And those criteria often shift as we move through life or change our social circles.
“What If I Don’t Realize I’m Bullshitting?”
Much of the conversation focused on self-deception. One question that came up:
“Is it still bullshit if I sincerely believe what I’m saying?”
On one level, yes—the effect is the same: inaccurate information that can mislead others.
On another level, no, because there’s no malicious intent or manipulation; the person genuinely doesn’t know they’re mistaken.
This opens a tricky subject: sometimes “well-meaning illusions” can bring real benefits (even if they’re partially embellished). But then where do we stop, so we don’t drift into a total rejection of reality?
How We Try to Work With It
Our meeting included small group breakouts, where participants shared strategies that help them not to drown in boththeir own and others’ bullshit.
Socratic Questions
“Why am I so sure about this? What’s my evidence? How would it look from another angle?”
This approach provides space for critical thinking and can save us from mindlessly copying ideas we see on social media.
Observation and Journaling
– Several participants keep notes, tracking moments when they “feel the urge to embellish” or “don’t want to admit an unpleasant truth.” A “journal toward honesty” can be a powerful tool for self-reflection.Recognizing the Boundary Is Fluid
– Participants noticed that what seems like the “absolute truth” today might turn out to be a half-truth tomorrow. As our context expands, we reassess our past experiences differently.Not Stifling Emotions
– It’s often easier to hide behind “universal advice” or tried-and-true formulas. But if we want to be honest with loved ones (or children, as one example), we need the courage to share our real feelings instead of the “right words.”Slowing Down and Observing
– Constant rushing and chasing success leaves us vulnerable to quickly “swallowing” dubious ideas. Taking time to pause and think often helps us catch distortions before they take root.
Where We Landed
We didn’t arrive at any one-size-fits-all rule—
“Here’s the magic formula to defeat all bullshit.”
Instead, we observed how complex and nuanced the topic is. Bullshit can be openly harmful, or it can be almost “therapeutic.” Some of us crave total clarity, others appreciate the comfort of gentle illusions. But the shared desire is not to lose our critical view of reality and not to lie to ourselves.
We see honesty as a moving target. It’s key to pay attention to our personal boundary between sincerity and a smooth “self-soothing.”
We realize dialogue in small groups helps—creating a space for reflection, sharing experiences, and supporting one another.
We hope this collective experience will encourage further conversations or at least prompt a closer look at those moments when something “feels off”—whether in someone else’s words or our own thoughts.
In Lieu of a Conclusion
Perhaps the most valuable takeaway is a simple question we can ask ourselves:
“Why do I want to say it this way right now?”
“Why did I so readily believe this story?”
Even these small reflections can expand our awareness and give us a choice: continue along a scripted path, or pause to verify what’s truly real.
Thank you for reading! If you found this exploration helpful or thought-provoking, feel free to share your own experiences or insights. Let’s keep the conversation going!