Nice! When the shocking extent of Official Falsehood in the Trump 1 administration became clear, psychologists emerged to explain. One theory with some research support (sorry, cannot find refs now) dismissed the idea that the MAGA team really believed their nonsense; instead, publicly promoting obvious falsehoods is a demonstration of loyalty. By burning your own credibility in support of the Leader, you show the depth of your commitment. I wonder if the inanity of much bizbuzz has a similar effect. If you manage to coin the "mot juste" that captures the critical contours of the Problem We All Face with unprecedented concision, I lose no face by using it too, so it lacks signalling value. Better to come up with a clumsier buzzphrase so I can show the insiders I'm paying the price of admission ;)
I'm a herd animal too but I speak in negative bollocks. Someone asked me a question to the effect: "if a bit of business bollocks happens to be a good way of putting something - a stopped clock is right twice a day and all that - must we really avoid it?" To which my answer is an emphatic 'yes' because my bollocks is an avoidance of *that* bollocks to maintain credibility with my fellow cynics!
True, true. Goes a bit to my point about being a creature of journalism and literature. We’re natural enemies of business jargon. Also, per my footnote, obfuscatory cliche is one thing, whereas cliches of clarity/cognitive shortcuts are a whole other kettle of eels.
A lot of business bollocks is bollocks but some of it, despite looking like bollocks to civilians, is either a useful shorthand understood by both parties and thus none of anyone else’s, er, business; or else encodes a fine and important distinction not drawable any other way and again understood by both parties. Please don’t mistake efficient-although-ugly for phatic.
Ah, this made me laugh out loud! It actually did.
Flattered!
You’ve inspired me to filter your newsletter to a FOSL folder. What a fun and interesting discussion with Ben Schott. Can’t wait to read his book.
🙏
Nice! When the shocking extent of Official Falsehood in the Trump 1 administration became clear, psychologists emerged to explain. One theory with some research support (sorry, cannot find refs now) dismissed the idea that the MAGA team really believed their nonsense; instead, publicly promoting obvious falsehoods is a demonstration of loyalty. By burning your own credibility in support of the Leader, you show the depth of your commitment. I wonder if the inanity of much bizbuzz has a similar effect. If you manage to coin the "mot juste" that captures the critical contours of the Problem We All Face with unprecedented concision, I lose no face by using it too, so it lacks signalling value. Better to come up with a clumsier buzzphrase so I can show the insiders I'm paying the price of admission ;)
I think there’s definitely something in that. Speech-act theory can be a really penetrating way of thinking about communication
I'm a herd animal too but I speak in negative bollocks. Someone asked me a question to the effect: "if a bit of business bollocks happens to be a good way of putting something - a stopped clock is right twice a day and all that - must we really avoid it?" To which my answer is an emphatic 'yes' because my bollocks is an avoidance of *that* bollocks to maintain credibility with my fellow cynics!
True, true. Goes a bit to my point about being a creature of journalism and literature. We’re natural enemies of business jargon. Also, per my footnote, obfuscatory cliche is one thing, whereas cliches of clarity/cognitive shortcuts are a whole other kettle of eels.
A lot of business bollocks is bollocks but some of it, despite looking like bollocks to civilians, is either a useful shorthand understood by both parties and thus none of anyone else’s, er, business; or else encodes a fine and important distinction not drawable any other way and again understood by both parties. Please don’t mistake efficient-although-ugly for phatic.
Fair point. Every community has its terms of art and I respect that.
I take this personally, Sam
😞
Really enjoyed the Hustvedt interview. I particularly liked the phrase ‘intellectual humility’. I’m enjoying the book too.
Thank you!
“a flummoxing collection of modish buzzwords” oh my goodness that’s gorgeous.
🙏