A Practical Guide to Recognizing B.S.
An exercise in critical thinking, to help you wade through the sea of communication
The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter. ’tis the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.
- Mark Twain
We humans have a special tool called language. And we do all kinds of cool things with it. We use it to make art — in the form of poetry and prose. We use it to express ourselves. But perhaps most importantly, we use it to inform and influence each other. That represents the most effective use for the tool of language, but it’s also the most dangerous.
Like any tool, when used well and wisely, language is extremely helpful. It can help build things and fix things. It can fuel cooperation and progress. But when used incorrectly and unwisely, it can cause damage and injury.
When we use a common language, we make an implicit agreement. We agree to use it responsibly, rather than irresponsibly. And we carry on using it with one another in good faith.
The Linguistic Agreement
In essence, we’ve agreed that when we use the tool of language to inform, we’ll do our best to be clear what it is we’re talking about. We…
