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I have been pondering the question I posed y'day about why a Government so supposedly interested in “data science” seems incapable of handling data about C19 with any semblence of competence?
Testing, PPE, cases, you name it they seem to have gotten it wrong. Badly wrong. Why?
Testing, PPE, cases, you name it they seem to have gotten it wrong. Badly wrong. Why?
The usual assumption in cases like this is its a choice between cock-up and conspiracy. There's clearly an element of both, but I think it goes deeper than that.
We have a Govt led by bullshitters. And this is the key to understanding this issue.
We have a Govt led by bullshitters. And this is the key to understanding this issue.
As Harry Frankfurt rightly says, what distinguishes liars and BS artists is that liars still know what the truth is, but choose to conceal or disregard it.
BS artists concoct stories out of truths, half-truths and lies to gain their objective. And they don't care whis is which.
BS artists concoct stories out of truths, half-truths and lies to gain their objective. And they don't care whis is which.
BS artists have no conception of truth and lies, they have a purely utilitarian attitude and will say whatever it takes to get what they want.
And they can be very “crafty” about what to say - honing it to their target audience with great care. They even use data, selectively.
And they can be very “crafty” about what to say - honing it to their target audience with great care. They even use data, selectively.
So when Boris Johnson claims that his government has shared C19 test data with local agencies he neither knows nor cares whether his statement is true or not.
All he cares about is will it get him through this session of PMQs?
All he cares about is will it get him through this session of PMQs?
As Simon Kuper points out (in the @FT) in the “attention economy” what matters is the story, and whether it gets attention.
I would that its not just the emergence of the “attention economy” that has fuelled this.
I would that its not just the emergence of the “attention economy” that has fuelled this.
A whole generation has been exposed to anti-realist, social constructivist, ideas that there is no such thing as facts. Its all relative. There is no truth.
This has created a playground for bullshitters like Johnson and Trump.
This has created a playground for bullshitters like Johnson and Trump.
Politicians have always lied. But in the past when they were found out they were forced to retract and even sometimes apologise.
In the UK it used to be a 'crime' to lie to Parliament.
Now the PM does it incessantly and hardly an eye is batted.
BS goes beyond truth and lies.
In the UK it used to be a 'crime' to lie to Parliament.
Now the PM does it incessantly and hardly an eye is batted.
BS goes beyond truth and lies.
