18. Harry Frankfurt on Bull$#!T

In this episode we unpack American Philosopher Harry G. Frankfurt's 1986 essay "On Bullshit." This essay explores... -What bullshit is -How bullshitting differs from lying -Why bullshitting is so prevalent in our culture Links to Reading and Other Sources Mentioned On Bullshit by Harry G. Frankfurt Of Liars by Michel de Montaigne Glengarry Glen Ross (film) Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes *note* reading is not required to enjoy this episode! Host: Zach Stehura  UnpackingIdeas.com Guest: Max Robinson Theme Music: Polyenso Timestamps 00:00:00 Introduction 00:02:59 the Bullshit Artist 00:06:18 Background of the Essay 00:07:20 The Proliferation of Bullshit 00:09:12 How Bullshitting Differs from Lying 00:13:38 Politician’s Dodge 00:17:38 Incentives to Bullshit 00:24:00 How Bullshitting Differs from Bluffing 00:25:36 The Etymology of “Bullshit” 00:26:51 Speaking Without Saying Anything  00:29:00 Bullshitting Compared to the Act of Shitting  00:30:53 What Function Does Bullshit Serve? 00:32:58 Has the Digital Age Increased Bullshit? 00:33:41 Is there More Bullshit Now than in Previous Generations? 00:37:16 How Democracy Increases Bullshit 00:40:42 “Talking Out of Your Ass” 00:41:53 “Trash Talking”  00:42:56 “Smooth Talking” 00:43:52 A Bull Session 00:46:55 “Shooting the Shit” 00:48:30 Pretentious Bullshit 00:49:53 “Don’t Piss on My Leg and Tell me it’s Raining” 00:50:39 Outro