Readers respond to an article by Aditya Chakrabortty on why lies peddled by politicians can find true believers
Aditya Chakrabortty (Here’s the essential skill for assessing our politics: knowing the difference between lies and bullshit, 22 December) asks why so many people buy into political bullshit. I think the answer is that some people have the cognitive ability to choose their own facts and reality, and to believe in these wholeheartedly.
These people are the targets of political bullshitters, who paint for them a picture that is always vastly more attractive than the grim reality presented by facts. Climate bullshitters tell us the planet isn’t warming, Boris Johnson promises Brexit will be a success, Donald Trump declares that he’ll make America great again.
