We often feel vague fear or anxiety about the unknown, which leads us to form specific beliefs driven by a desire to control and understand. These beliefs can be seen as unconscious attempts to resolve uncertainty and create a safe zone away from the unknown. To alleviate anxiety, people sometimes fall into deception or give in to the desire to believe what they want. The need for certainty often results in misguided beliefs or misunderstandings.
These misunderstandings can arise from fear driven accusations, exaggerated expectations, or manipulation of information, leading to uncritical acceptance of certain beliefs. Over time, these beliefs spread within society, causing people to accept them as truth. From conspiracy theories and pseudoscientific claims to urban legends and propaganda, such ideas gain traction, often despite lacking evidence. When one side makes a claim, the other side challenges it, creating a tense back and forth. The side with stronger evidence prevails, while the other collapses. This cycle has repeated throughout human history.
Bullshit Index is an archive of misleading beliefs, things once believed but now considered debunked or unfounded. The bullshit in this index ranges from lighthearted and humorous misunderstandings to serious, impactful deceptions that have shaped public perception or policy. This index captures how these beliefs are formed, spread, and eventually lead to disillusionment, focusing the social and psychological dynamics behind their persistence and eventual collapse.