The practice of shifting the criteria for what counts as "bullshit" after your opponent has already demonstrated that their argument meets your previous standards. First, you call their argument bullshit. They provide sources. You move the bullpost: "Those sources are bullshit." They provide different sources. You move again: "Your interpretation of those sources is bullshit." They explain their interpretation. You move again: "The whole field is bullshit." The bullpost keeps moving because the goal isn't to evaluate truth—it's to maintain the position that the other person is wrong, no matter what. Moving the bullpost is the favorite tactic of people who have decided that reality itself is bullshit when it doesn't agree with them.
Moving the Bullpost Example: "She cited a peer-reviewed study. He moved the bullpost: 'Peer review is bullshit.' She cited government data. He moved again: 'Government data is bullshit.' She cited his own past statements. He moved again: 'I was wrong then, and that's bullshit too.' There was no source, no evidence, no argument that could satisfy him, because the bullpost was not about evidence—it was about maintaining the position that she was wrong. She stopped trying. He declared victory."
by AbzuInExile February 16, 2026
Get the Moving the Bullpost mug.The theory that bullshit exists on a spectrum, not as a binary category. Bullshit, in the philosophical sense (following Harry Frankfurt), is speech intended to persuade without regard for truth—not lying (which cares about truth enough to negate it), but bullshitting (which doesn't care at all). The Bullshit Spectrum recognizes that claims can be more or less bullshit, in different dimensions, for different purposes. A politician's vague promise is bullshit—but maybe low-grade, situational bullshit. A conspiracy theory is higher-grade bullshit, more bullshit in more dimensions. The spectrum allows for distinguishing between different kinds and degrees of bullshit, rather than lumping everything dishonest into the same category.
Theory of the Bullshit Spectrum Example: "He called everything he disagreed with 'bullshit.' The Theory of the Bullshit Spectrum showed why that was useless: some things were more bullshit than others, in different ways. The politician's exaggeration was bullshit, but low-grade, situational. The conspiracy theory was high-grade, multidimensional bullshit. Treating them the same made it impossible to respond appropriately."
by Dumu The Void March 7, 2026
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Addison: What's wrong with Trevor?
Felicia: He had Coffee mixed with Red Bull, Monster Energy and Five Hour Energy.
Addison: Why did he do that?
Felicia: Because he's a moron.
Addison: He is indeed a moron.
Felicia: As are some of his friends, especially Leila.
Felicia: He had Coffee mixed with Red Bull, Monster Energy and Five Hour Energy.
Addison: Why did he do that?
Felicia: Because he's a moron.
Addison: He is indeed a moron.
Felicia: As are some of his friends, especially Leila.
by PhoenixGamer34 June 28, 2025
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