Raging Bull

On the proliferation of an increasingly useful term

July 7, 2005—From politics ("weapons of
mass destruction-related program activities") to showbiz ("I will forever with this woman be jumping on couches, dancing on tables, and hanging from chandeliers!"), we're living in a golden age of bullshit. Even the word itself is proliferating. A few recent examples:

On Bullshit: extended essay by Princeton philosopher Harry G. Frankfurt, currently No. 6 on The New York Times nonfiction best-seller list

Your Call Is Important to Us: The Truth About
Bullshit: anti-flimflam screed from Laura Penny, a teaching fellow at King's College in Halifax, out Tuesday

Penn & Teller: Bullshit! currently in its third season on Showtime

Baron Von Bullshit Rides Again: Modest Mouse's 2004 live album

Another Bullshit Night in Suck City: film version of Nick Flynn memoir of the same title, now in production by director Paul Weitz (American Pie)

25 Years of Bullshit: Henry Rollins' upcoming summer tour