Intent and integrity in bullsh*t

Trust thought for today - mulling the importance of intent and integrity when it comes to language and bullsh*t

Prepping for my workshop on 'Bullsh*t - why we do it and how to stop' - on Apolitical platform next Tuesday 11th Jan at 3pm GMT. (See link below). I am struggling with current definitions which are either:

“Making statements with no regard for the truth” - from Harry Frankfurt & the focus of Ian McCarthy excellent work or

Dictionary definitions - which to summarise a few - focus on 'lying, talking nonsense, foolishly, boastfully, or idly'

All true sometimes, but not always. Analysing our pet hates and bullshit bingo lists, so many are simply cliches, jargon, pseudo language and the intent behind them denotes incompetence but not actively malign. Much bullshit may appear foolish or nonsense to others, but to us this language seems like a good idea at the time!

So I'm thinking about a new definition which encompasses all usages which for me also includes using language to obscure lies.

“Language which deliberately or accidentally obscures meaning". I think there is another bit to be added about it being just annoying. Not there yet!

Any thoughts on either the categories below or the definitions?

Come along, it's free. And I hear there are 750 bookings so far. Gulp!!!!

https://lnkd.in/gv4MdcN7