“Not being able to tell a stale fact from persuasive fiction means that the amount of bullshit being spread by the bullshitter is potentially a lot more than they even realize. Bullshitting is a strategic attempt to impress, persuade, or otherwise fit in better with others by misleading them in some way.But if they’re spreading bullshit even when they’re not trying to mislead others – because they actually believe it – then there’s a much higher chance that they will lose whatever strategic advantage that bullshitting might have provided, because fewer people will take them seriously.”