Bullshit. We’re swimming in it. It’s everywhere—on TV, in boardrooms, on social media, in politics, in the security industry (oh, especially here), and even in everyday conversations. It’s so pervasive that most people don’t even notice it anymore. But here’s the thing: bullshit matters. And not in a good way.
Bullshit isn’t just harmless fluff. It’s the grease that makes lies slip by unnoticed. It’s the fog that clouds critical thinking. And it’s the crutch used by people who either don’t know what they’re talking about or don’t care enough to find out. I hate bullshit, and I wish we’d all get better at spotting it, calling it out, and refusing to tolerate it.
What is Bullshit, Really?
Let’s start with the basics. Bullshit isn’t the same as lying. A liar knows the truth and intentionally distorts it. A bullshitter? They don’t care if what they’re saying is true or false. Truth is irrelevant. What matters to them is achieving their goal—looking smart, sounding important, or just filling the silence.
In the security industry, bullshit looks like vendors selling magic solutions to complex problems. It’s buzzwords and acronyms that mean nothing. It’s consultants promising results they can’t deliver. It’s people saying what they think you want to hear instead of what’s real. Bullshit is dangerous.
Why Bullshit is a Problem
Bullshit erodes trust. It wastes time. It leads people down the wrong paths and creates confusion where there should be clarity. In our industry, bullshit can have serious consequences—businesses get breached, data gets stolen, and people’s lives get upended because someone was too lazy or dishonest to cut through the crap and tell the truth.
But here’s the kicker: people put up with it. They nod along, play the game, and let the bullshit slide because it’s easier than calling it out. And that’s the real problem. Bullshit thrives in silence.
How to Spot Bullshit
Bullshit isn’t always obvious. It’s sneaky. It hides behind big words, flashy presentations, and fake confidence. But if you know what to look for, you can spot it a mile away. Here are a few telltale signs:
- It’s Vague: If someone can’t explain something simply, they either don’t understand it or they’re hiding something. Either way, it’s bullshit.
- It Sounds Too Good to Be True: “This tool will solve all your security problems!” Nope. Bullshit.
- It’s All About Style, Not Substance: Watch out for people who talk a lot but say nothing. If there’s no “there” there, it’s bullshit.
- It Shifts the Focus: When someone avoids answering a direct question or changes the subject, they’re likely serving up a fresh batch of bullshit.
How to Call Bullshit
Calling bullshit isn’t easy. It makes people uncomfortable, and it might make you unpopular. But it’s necessary. The trick is to do it in a way that’s clear, firm, and—if possible—constructive. Here’s how I do it:
- Ask Questions: “Can you explain that in simpler terms?” or “How exactly does this work?” A bullshitter will struggle to answer.
- Push for Clarity: Don’t let them off the hook. Demand specifics.
- Stay Calm: Don’t lose your cool. Bullshit feeds on emotional reactions.
- Be Honest: Call it like you see it. “That doesn’t make sense to me” or “This feels like a sales pitch, not a solution.”
The No-Bullshit Approach
The antidote to bullshit is honesty, plain and simple. In my world, that means being upfront about what I know and what I don’t, telling hard truths when I need to, and never pretending to be something I’m not. It’s not always easy, and it doesn’t always make me popular, but it’s the only way I know how to operate.
If more people took a no-bullshit approach—if we all demanded truth and authenticity from ourselves and others—we’d spend less time wading through nonsense and more time solving real problems. So let’s stop tolerating bullshit. Let’s call it out when we see it. And let’s commit to living and working in a way that’s honest, real, and bullshit-free.
