When the norms that sustain rational discourse break down; when truth is devalued, reason is sidelined, and bullshit takes over; the only thing left to mediate conflict is power, often manifesting as violence.
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Trump’s rhetoric exemplifies this: it doesn’t aim to persuade through reasoned argument but to dominate through emotional manipulation, fear, and tribal identity.
The more bullshit takes root, the less room there is for genuine dialogue, and the closer society edges toward conflict resolved by coercion rather than consensus.
The choice between conversation and violence isn’t abstract; it’s the stark reality underpinning the health of any democracy. That’s why truth isn’t just an intellectual virtue; it’s a moral and political necessity.
It's interesting to watch official representatives in the opposition try to argue their way, peacefully and rationally, toward a just resolution of the current crisis and fail even while their millions of supporters cheer.
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Without it, brute force fills the vacuum.
When public discourse is dominated by bullshit, it's not just a matter of intellectual decay; it’s a direct threat to civil society.