Bullshit Ability as an Honest Signal of Intelligence
FYI: Philosopher Harry Frankfurt wrote the classic essay "On Bullshit", defining the concept.  Unlike lying/fraud, where falsehood is instrumental, Frankfurt defined bullshit as potentially false speech where the truth <i>simply wasn't important</i>.  Bullshit is characterized by giving the <i>surface appearance</i> of confidence, intelligence, or a convincing argument; whether it's actually true or not is besides the point.<p>The essay is only 20 pages and available here:<p><a href="http://ruby.fgcu.edu/courses/twimberley/EnviroPhilo/bullshit.pdf" rel="nofollow">http://ruby.fgcu.edu/courses/twimberley/EnviroPhilo/bullshit...</a>