'One of the most salient features of our culture is that there is so much bullshit.' The first line of 'On Bullshit' by Harry Frankfurt, professor of philosophy emeritus at Princeton University, is very straightforward. And yet, as he points out, we lack a universal definition of what bullshit is.
Professor Frankfurt puts forth that for something to be bullshit, it must be information used to manipulate a person's perception of something or someone. The question then is: What's different between bullshit and a lie? Basically, a lie is meant to deceive and is used to provide someone with false information for the purpose of them not knowing the truth. Bullshit is information intended to create an image and a false impression of how things actually are; whether it is true or false is inconsequential. Bullshit could almost be considered soft-core lying. If you're confused, don't worry, I'm bullshitting a little.
So with a general idea of what bullshit is, I propose that there is a specific type, unique to our college culture. Collegiate bullshit exists only in our lives and only from one of us to another.
Bullshit isn't going anywhere, but its purpose and use will change as our lives move on. Later in life we'll use it to exaggerate situations and images of ourselves with clear goals. These will range from improving/excelling in our careers, impressing family and friends and imbuing our kids with respect for us.
Earlier in life we all were in some ways colon-like, pretty much fountains of bullshit. Things we said were an attempt to define ourselves with little regard to the truth as we focused on what others thought of us.
I'll admit, there are some of us who were more centered and cared less of other's opinions. Now I hope you can admit that, just like me, when you were younger you were definitely full of it to some extent.
So why is collegiate bullshit distinctive from what we're slinging the rest of our lives? It is due to the fact that who we are is cemented in college. We're smart enough to have well thought-out and less hormone-driven opinions yet still free from the burdens of the 'real world.' Bullshit is now used with a more distinct purpose and better aim than ever before. Furthermore, bullshit is now primarily selective in its being used to create the image of us to other students, those who make up our daily lives.
I want to quickly point out that I'm not saying we are all defined by bullshit. I am merely saying that the foundation of who we are is based on bricks of facts, events and opinions. Bullshit is just the mortar to smooth things out and make it look even and nice.
This would explain, to an extent, someone's ability to pick up a person of the opposite sex. If two people, equal in all things except their aforementioned skill, approach someone, the one who can take what they discharge and mold it better will be the more successful.
Since we are defining ourselves, and we are definitely different from one another, it's clear our use of bullshit must be different also. This comes from the level of skill or craftsmanship we are at. While bullshit might seem to imply something merely emitted or dumped, there's definitely a level of skill needed to construct the image we want in the person we are relating it to.
This is all merely conjecture and a sort of streaming thought to be taken how you will. Then again, maybe it's complete bullshit.
