May 15, 2005
Ivy League Prof Sifts Through BS
Morley Safer Talks To Scholars Studying The Subject Of Bull
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Play CBS Video Video Professor Studies BS Correspondent Morley Safer talks to professors who are studying BS.
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The success of philosopher Harry Frankfurt's book on BS suggests that he's touched a nerve in the American psyche. (CBS)
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Frankfurt joined the great American BS celebrity parade for his first live TV interview about the subject, on Jon Stewart's "The Daily Show." (CBS)
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Laura Penny has written a book titled, "Your Call Is Important To Us: The Truth About BS." (CBS)
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Special Report In Print Find out more about the latest books and what best-selling authors are working on.
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But in the pantheon of BS, Penny and Frankfurt agree that the excesses of Hollywood and Madison Avenue pale by comparison to Washington, a place where BSers come in all stripes, but mainly pinstripes.
"The one that springs immediately to mind, just because he’s the most important one, would be the president," says Penny. "I think he’s an incredible BSer because he pretends not to be a BSer."
The mission-accomplished example, with all its stage management, may have ended up as a BS blunder, but it served at least a momentary purpose. And it’s a truism that all politicians, regardless of party, have BS as part of their DNA.
"How would you rate the BS artistry of Bill Clinton?" asks Safer.
"Oh, one of the greats," says Penny. "One of the greats."
Which brings us to a central question about BS. Why do some get away with it, while others don’t?
"I think that one of the things BS runs on is confidence," says Penny. "Both in the sense of seeming sure about yourself and also in the good old sense of, you know, the confidence man, the trickster."
"But someone who is bad at it, would that not indicate that this might be a pretty worthy person because he can’t get those words out convincingly?" asks Safer.
"Sure. But unfortunately, you know, that’s exactly the sort of person that our current political system is gonna exclude. Right?" asks Penny. "I mean, this is the sad thing, is that BS has become not just an occupational hazard, but pretty much a job description."
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