Just got a paid subscription. Why? Because this Substack helps me navigate the constant bombardment of BS I encounter in my everyday suburban mom social sphere. It’s actually helpful.
I only came across your essays a few months ago and I haven't been very diligent about going back through them. Thanks for this handy list!
Unfortunately a side effect of my lifelong beliefs that status is bullshit* and careers are bullshit is poverty**. Otherwise I would upgraid to paid.
\* Very validating to read that a credentialed social scientist also believes that status is bullshit. Of course reading it also has the effect of immediately making me question my belief - my main principle is "be sceptical, especially of things you want to believe".
\** Best method of reducing your carbon emissions, by the way. Somehow climate bullshitters still seem to be jumping on planes all the time.
An Idea for the podcast: Value theory, what is the source of our moral values ? Which theory is more confirmed of evolutionary psychology: hedonism, desire satisfaction or perfectionism ? Or alternatively what has more/less bulshit aspects ? https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Value_theory
I have one more post suggestion for the next year.
I think you need to explain more thoroughly the idea that "authenticity is bullshit". I am a skeptic because I believe authenticity is very real in one way. We all have actual beliefs, tastes, and preferences. When these are not socially desirable we may lie about them, but they still exist and are "authentic".
Personally, I'm a pretty weird guy so my favorite things are mostly not socially desirable and I find myself lying about them fairly often. Here are three examples:
1. My favorite football team is the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors, but when asked my favorite football team about 50% of the time I say "Carolina Panthers" (my home state NFL team), even though I'm not that into them.
2. My favorite musical artists mostly sing in Spanish, but when other gringos ask me my favorite singers I usually say something like "Aerosmith". I give the true answers to Spanish speakers but not English speakers.
3. I have controversial political views, such as that various populations likely have genetic differences that (partially) explain different levels of economic success. I never say this in day to day life.
I don't know if it would be better for me to give the true answers, but it would be more authentic.
I think you need to write a post where you explain what you mean by "authenticity is bullshit", which you didn't say here but have said elsewhere.
I don't know how many people have responded, but I'm surprised to see humor is last of the 4 topics David proposed writing about. I considered choosing it but went with (currently in first place) mental disorders instead.
Glad to have found your Substack. Keep up the great work. Going to check out the “upgrade to paid” link. Glad to see your work in my inbox every month or so.
Just got a paid subscription. Why? Because this Substack helps me navigate the constant bombardment of BS I encounter in my everyday suburban mom social sphere. It’s actually helpful.
Means a lot. Thank you. 🙏
Just got a $100 paid subscription. I'm pumped for the next year of bullshit!
Sincere thanks. 🙏
I only came across your essays a few months ago and I haven't been very diligent about going back through them. Thanks for this handy list!
Unfortunately a side effect of my lifelong beliefs that status is bullshit* and careers are bullshit is poverty**. Otherwise I would upgraid to paid.
\* Very validating to read that a credentialed social scientist also believes that status is bullshit. Of course reading it also has the effect of immediately making me question my belief - my main principle is "be sceptical, especially of things you want to believe".
\** Best method of reducing your carbon emissions, by the way. Somehow climate bullshitters still seem to be jumping on planes all the time.
An Idea for the podcast: Value theory, what is the source of our moral values ? Which theory is more confirmed of evolutionary psychology: hedonism, desire satisfaction or perfectionism ? Or alternatively what has more/less bulshit aspects ? https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Value_theory
I have one more post suggestion for the next year.
I think you need to explain more thoroughly the idea that "authenticity is bullshit". I am a skeptic because I believe authenticity is very real in one way. We all have actual beliefs, tastes, and preferences. When these are not socially desirable we may lie about them, but they still exist and are "authentic".
Personally, I'm a pretty weird guy so my favorite things are mostly not socially desirable and I find myself lying about them fairly often. Here are three examples:
1. My favorite football team is the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors, but when asked my favorite football team about 50% of the time I say "Carolina Panthers" (my home state NFL team), even though I'm not that into them.
2. My favorite musical artists mostly sing in Spanish, but when other gringos ask me my favorite singers I usually say something like "Aerosmith". I give the true answers to Spanish speakers but not English speakers.
3. I have controversial political views, such as that various populations likely have genetic differences that (partially) explain different levels of economic success. I never say this in day to day life.
I don't know if it would be better for me to give the true answers, but it would be more authentic.
I think you need to write a post where you explain what you mean by "authenticity is bullshit", which you didn't say here but have said elsewhere.
Everything is BS is by far my favourite Substack and I'll definitely upgrade. Also enjoying your podcast.
🙏
I don't know how many people have responded, but I'm surprised to see humor is last of the 4 topics David proposed writing about. I considered choosing it but went with (currently in first place) mental disorders instead.
If I don’t do a post on humor I’ll link to my academic paper on it (still in progress), or to the podcast episode where Dave and I talk about it.
Humour being one of the refuges from neuroticism maybe it will make it into a post about mental disorders 🙃
Glad to have found your Substack. Keep up the great work. Going to check out the “upgrade to paid” link. Glad to see your work in my inbox every month or so.
Bullshit is bullshit
Evo psych is interesting.