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title: BS Asymmetry Principle
created: 2024-11-18T09:18:12
modified: 2026-01-31T14:13:15
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| ![](https://images.prismic.io/sketchplanations/71d30e66-9038-498d-8d8c-6bf45cd53760_SP+677+-+The+BS+asymmetry+principle+-+large.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&w=1080) |
| :-: |
| <sub>Source: [Sketchplanations](https://sketchplanations.com/the-bs-asymmetry-principle)</sub> |

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aka “Brandolini’s Law” (formulated by Italian programmer [Alberto Brandolini](https://www.google.com/search?q=Alberto+Brandolini) in 2013)

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The amount of energy needed to _refute_ bullshit is an order of magnitude bigger than that needed to _produce_ it.

This principle highlights how misinformation, false/fake claims, or “BS” can be created quickly and spread easily, but debunking or correcting it requires much more effort, time, and resources.

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Reality is complicated.

Correcting falsehoods is labor-intensive and slow.

It is easier to relate a simple lie than a complex truth.

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# Applications

1. Media literacy and fact-checking.
2. [Social media](quit-social-media.md) moderation.
3. Science communication and public discourse.

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[Skepticism](Skepticism.md)

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[Have the courage to do the right things](have-the-courage-to-do-the-right-things.md)