Distinguishing bullshit

The art of watching what they do

Words are easy, actions are evidence

If there’s one reliable way to identify bullshit, it’s this: don’t just listen—watch.

Words are cheap, and people know it. Actions, however, demand effort, risk, and commitment. The gap between what someone says and what they actually do? That’s where bullshit lives.

Consider relationships—personal and professional. Commitment, loyalty, integrity—these are all things people love to claim, and yet, when push comes to shove, reality often tells a different story. The moment someone’s actions contradict their words, you have your answer. No amount of verbal gymnastics can change that.

This isn’t a call to paranoia; it’s a call to observation. Sometimes, discrepancies are slight—misinterpretation rather than outright deception. But when the contradiction is blatant, the only question left is whether one chooses to acknowledge it or continue entertaining nonsense.

The art of the wiggle: when words betray reality

Nothing is more telling than someone desperately trying to explain away their contradictions. The more convoluted the reasoning, the clearer the verdict. People who tell the truth don’t need elaborate justifications—they simply point to reality. But the bullshitter? They embark on an Olympic-level mental gymnastics routine, hoping the sheer complexity of their defense will exhaust you into submission.

It’s a classic tactic. If they can make the situation murky enough, you might start second-guessing what you saw with your own eyes. But the truth is simple: actions that directly contradict words require no further interpretation. The wiggle—the excessive rationalization, the deflections, the blame-shifting—is just confirmation.

Why talk is easier than action

Talk is effortless. It’s why your trusted relationship make promises they have no intention of keeping, why companies vow to be ethical while exploiting loopholes, why people swear they’ll change but never do. Language has been elevated to an art form, precisely because it can function as a smokescreen for inaction.

This is why bullshit thrives. It’s easier to manipulate perception than it is to alter reality. A well-crafted speech can mask the absence of results. A carefully curated online persona can obscure a complete lack of substance. It’s all optics—until you stop looking at the words and start examining what actually happens.

Consistency is the only real test

If someone’s words and actions repeatedly diverge, there is no mystery. The only remaining question is how much bullshit one is willing to tolerate. The occasional misstep? That’s human. A pattern of contradictions? That’s a choice.

Consistency is the ultimate metric. A person who follows through, even imperfectly, is worth listening to. But the one whose words never quite match reality? That’s a walking, talking red flag.

The Balance: benefit of the Doubt and Vigilance

It's important to acknowledge that humans are fallible. We all make mistakes, and sometimes, discrepancies between words and actions arise from unintentional oversights or miscommunications. Therefore, while vigilance is crucial, it's equally important to extend a degree of grace. Giving someone the benefit of the doubt, especially in isolated instances, allows for the possibility of genuine error or unforeseen circumstances.

However, this does not mean abandoning critical thinking. The key lies in observing patterns. A single instance might warrant understanding, but a recurring theme of contradictory behavior demands attention. Maintaining a balanced approach—being open to human imperfection while remaining alert to consistent inconsistencies—is essential for navigating interpersonal interactions with both wisdom and compassion.

The bullshit score: a practical tool for reality checks

For a tongue-in-cheek structured guide, the BS Score Calculator (previously covered in our breakdown of Calling Bullshit) offers a quantifiable way to assess nonsense. By evaluating inconsistency, vagueness, exaggeration, relevance, and source credibility, it provides an objective measure of just how much bullshit is at play.

It’s not just a tool—it’s a reality check. And in a world overflowing with empty words, reality is the only thing worth paying attention to.