The Conceptual Bullshit Threshold: A Manifesto
Source: Dev.to
What Is the Conceptual Bullshit Threshold?
The Conceptual Bullshit Threshold (CBT) is the point at which a system, institution, or process has become so saturated with its own structural nonsense that engaging with it — or even explaining it — requires you to endure the very bullshit it’s built on.
In simpler terms: it’s not about whether the system “technically works.” It becomes the defining layer of participation.
How Do You Measure CBT?
Ask yourself:
- How much nonsense do I have to swallow just to get this system to work for me?
- Do I need insider knowledge, hacks, or workarounds to navigate it safely?
- Does success mean mastering the bullshit, not bypassing it?
- Does improvement mean piling on more bullshit to fix the old bullshit?
The higher the bullshit‑per‑unit‑of‑engagement, the more likely you’ve crossed the threshold.
Why Name It? Why Now?
Because we live in a world drowning in systems that no longer fear their own absurdity. Without a name — without a clear, sharp label — we end up hacking at the symptoms without seeing the root.
This manifesto gives you that label: it’s not just broken. It’s crossed the Conceptual Bullshit Threshold. Now you can spot it.
The Only Conclusion You’ll Ever Need
There’s no appendix. This is the manifesto. Everything else?
If you’ve made it this far, congratulations: you’ve personally endured CBT.