How to call bullshit: "Speak up if you think what you're hearing is bullshit. Never tone it down or talk baby talk. Never mumble or apologize in the defense of reason. Don't bow to the sensitivities of others. Don't cower to political correctness."
This is some perilous advice. There are classes that are mostly just bullshit, best to weather the storm and learn how to regurgitate it on the test, it will help you in the working world when you need to make sure your TPS report has a cover sheet. When you get to a place of power you can get rid of the cover sheet on that TPS report. Sometimes calling out bullshit can be pretty rewarding, pick and choose. Sometimes truth really isn't as important as making a coustomer happy or getting a good grade.
Yeah, brings back some high school memories, alright. I couldn't see past this at age that age, and that's why I had to do summer school just to graduate :/ Failed lots o' classes due to avoiding lame bullshit at all costs.Sometimes truth really isn't as important as making a coustomer happy or getting a good grade.
I think that's part of the learning process. Being proper rationalists and critical thinkers requires a sharp brain and knowing when to sometimes to keep your mouth shut. But if people are being taught bullshit in a school setting, it should be called out at all times. I believe the most important part of the article is keeping your mind open to change. You could be the one full of bullshit. Accept it and face facts.
Hmm, I would love to call out my professors on bullshit. Unfortunately, I am in engineering :-P
This assumes that the one calling BS is rational, reasonable, thoughtful. The bias and ignorance that we are least aware of is usually our own. IMO it's good to call BS when it is plain, and it isn't unnecessarily disruptive to do so. There's nothing wrong with being selective about your moments. I don't believe Jesus rose from the dead. My Grandma does. I don't think it necessary or worthwhile that I 'call her out' on it.And here's what no one tells you: You can make students and professors more rational, more reasonable, and more thoughtful.
Absolutely. While there's a lot to be said for confronting other people about their bullshit, there's a lot to be said about being tactful - and besides, no-one likes an asshole, which you could very easily come across as if you interrogate everyone's beliefs. Besides, constantly being on the intellectual offensive doesn't jive with a more relaxed, live-and-let-live kind of living. The people around me believe all sorts of weird stuff, but I don't call them out on everything because sometimes it's just pointless or sometimes I'm there for their company, not there to reject their beliefs (poorly supported or otherwise).