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On Bullshit (2005)

by kaladin-jasnah on 12/4/24, 4:13 AM with 8 comments

  • by Mathnerd314 on 12/4/24, 3:27 PM

    There is a longer essay called "On Truth", also by Frankfurt, less read but also more interesting IMO.

  • by oatsandsugar on 12/4/24, 7:26 PM

    This book was a book I always looked at on my dad's bookshelf, and which I read after he passed away. The distinguishing between bullshit and lying is one I think is more and more critical.

  • by nchmy on 12/4/24, 1:33 PM

  • by hershey890 on 12/4/24, 11:22 PM

    Related to this, I read Daniel Graber’s “Bullshit Jobs” (there’s a book in addition to the essay, but the essay gets the point across just fine) and the essay the “Gervais Principle” and they really helped me understand the government and the corporate world early on in my career.

    https://web.archive.org/web/20190906050523/http://www.strike...

    https://www.ribbonfarm.com/2009/10/07/the-gervais-principle-...

    My personal takeaway was that much of our work involves complete BS. Either join a useful, innovative startup and make a difference or play your part in the farce and take your paycheck.

    I still work hard in some roles, but now it’s to get a raise/bonus, or because I find the work fun. It’s not for the sake of working hard anymore. If you want to work hard, go dig a hole.

  • by raidicy on 12/4/24, 4:49 AM

    I'm currently reading "Calling Bullshit - The art of skepticism in a data driven world" by Carl T Bergstrom and Jevin D West.

    Harry Frankfurt is mentioned in the preface of this book. And "On Bullshit" will probably be my next book I read on the subject.

    Thanks for the share.