Calling Bullshit

The Art of Skepticism in a Data-Driven World

By: Carl T. Bergstrom, Jevin D. West

Narrated by: Patrick Zeller

Length: 10 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

Bullshit isn’t what it used to be. Now, two science professors give us the tools to dismantle misinformation and think clearly in a world of fake news and bad data.

Misinformation, disinformation, and fake news abound, and it’s increasingly difficult to know what’s true. Our media environment has become hyperpartisan. Science is conducted by press release. Start-up culture elevates bullshit to high art. We are fairly well equipped to spot the sort of old-school bullshit that is based in fancy rhetoric and weasel words, but most of us don’t feel qualified to challenge the avalanche of new-school bullshit presented in the language of math, science, or statistics. In Calling Bullshit, Professors Carl Bergstrom and Jevin West give us a set of powerful tools to cut through the most intimidating data.

You don’t need a lot of technical expertise to call out problems with data. Are the numbers or results too good or too dramatic to be true? Is the claim comparing like with like? Is it confirming your personal bias? Drawing on a deep well of expertise in statistics and computational biology, Bergstrom and West exuberantly unpack examples of selection bias and muddled data visualization, distinguish between correlation and causation, and examine the susceptibility of science to modern bullshit.

We have always needed people who call bullshit when necessary, whether within a circle of friends, a community of scholars, or the citizenry of a nation. Now that bullshit has evolved, we need to relearn the art of skepticism.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2020 Carl T. Bergstrom and Jevin D. West (P)2020 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“A passionate exposition of how the language of science can be weaponized to mislead both researchers and the public . . . landing just when it has never been more important to know how to navigate data.” (Nature)

“The information landscape is strewn with quantitative cowflop; read this book if you want to know where not to step.” (Jordan Ellenberg, author of How Not to be Wrong)

“Part playful polemic and part serious scientific treatise on a plague that ‘pollutes our world by misleading people about specific issues and ... undermines our ability to trust information in general’ ... a statistically challenging master class in the art of bullshit detection.” (Kirkus Reviews)

A modern refresher on critical thinking

Critical thinking has never been more important. Calling Bullshit does an excellent job of demonstrating these concepts and how to apply them in modern life. The book’s examples are thoughtful, well organized, and represent a broad range of subjects. I consider this a must-read!

Great material for studying data

A great addition on a more interesting and real world applications of analysis and data analysis and how to spot bullsh*t

Facebook user’s manual

My title may sound a bit absurd but having gone cover to cover on this wonderful book, I sincerely believe anyone with a social media account or access to 24 hour news, let alone an internet connection, should read this. I have enjoy sharing a significant book for holiday gift and it is my pleasure to be sending many copies of Calling Bullshit this year.

Detailed and Accessible

PDF for audio follow along is great, but descriptions are clear to the point it didn’t even feel necessary.

Logical order with good connections between chapters. Good pacing with snippets of story that keep energy and attention high.

Demeanor consistent with message and call to action.

This Should Be Required Reading For Humans!

I just finished this, and I am going to start it over. I am going to integrate some of this into a class I teach!

This should be read by every math class

As a math/science teacher so much of this book resonated with what I teach my kids. I want them to think about how what they say and do affects the world. This is such a good representation of how we should think before we act.
This book was clear and very entertaining. I highly recommend to anyone and everyone who sees bullshit

important book

loved it. very concise, I'm actually buying the physical copy to have for reference.

Read this now

Probably one of the most important new releases to read in 2020. Don’t delay this.

A user manual for life in the internet age

Really well thought out book, well read and with plenty of engaging examples. I’d argue that this is as close to a users guide for the internet as one could imagine.

A Little Disappointing

"Calling Bullshit: The Art of Skepticism in a Data-Driven World" by Carl T. Bergstrom and Jevin D. West offers a timely exploration into the burgeoning issue of misinformation in our increasingly digital society. Narrated by Patrick Zeller, the book spans over 10 hours, promising an insightful journey into distinguishing fact from fiction in the age of fake news. With a commendable rating of 4.5 stars from 307 ratings, it stands as a testament to its relevance and appeal.

The book's central premise—that we live in a world saturated with misinformation, where data can be twisted to serve any narrative—is both intriguing and vital. Bergstrom and West aim to arm their readers with the critical tools necessary to navigate this maze of misinformation, emphasizing the importance of skepticism. Their expertise in statistics and computational biology lends credibility to their arguments, offering a strong foundation for their exploration of data literacy.

However, the book falls short in its execution. For a topic so intertwined with mathematics and data analysis, it remains surprisingly light on math, opting instead for a narrative heavily reliant on anecdotes. While these stories serve to illustrate the authors' points, they often overshadow the technical explanations, leaving readers wanting more substance in the analysis. The book's structure, dedicating a significant portion of its content to anecdotes, might leave readers feeling that the critical examination of data and statistics was an afterthought.

Despite these criticisms, "Calling Bullshit" is not without its merits. The anecdotes, while numerous, are engaging and effectively highlight the myriad ways in which data can be manipulated. The book does an admirable job of making a potentially dry subject matter accessible and entertaining to a broad audience. Moreover, the authors' enthusiasm for the subject is palpable and infectious, making it a compelling listen despite its shortcomings.

In conclusion, "Calling Bullshit" is an important book that tackles a crucial subject but ultimately leaves the reader wanting more depth. It strikes a delicate balance between being informative and accessible, yet at the expense of a more rigorous exploration of mathematical concepts. It's a recommended read for those new to the topic, offering a solid introduction to the importance of skepticism in a data-driven world. However, for those seeking a more in-depth analysis, the book may fall short of expectations. Nonetheless, it serves as a valuable starting point for anyone looking to refine their critical thinking skills in the digital age.