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•Picture by Tom Donders
Synchronizing Bullshit Radars
Being able to detect when we're about to be fooled is a crucial skill – both in our personal and professional lives.
Whether that's by a malicious actor, by someone unreflected caught up in hype, or by our own biases and desire to find magic... Ideally, we're able to see through this and make informed decisions based on facts and the feelings that truly matter to us.
What We're Up Against
The ways we take in information are getting more fragmented every day.
I remember 10 years ago, we were already talking about "filter bubbles" and "echo chambers" – even though we have access to virtually all information and every being on the planet, we tend to stay in our comfort zones, bouncing the same ideas between our peers. Topics stay inside bubbles.
Fast forward to today: A big part of the information we take in comes through extremely targeted channels. The lines between advertising, facts, and someone else's emotional release outlet are often indistinguishable. The bubbles we land in are often moderated (if not steered) by entities we don't understand and have little reason to trust.
Furthermore, there is little incentive to synchronize outside of a bubble. We can stay deeply connected to a set of beliefs that are never challenged from the outside. And that feels great! I enjoy the ease of having my audio engineering bubble, my React-programming bubble, my tantra bubble, my gaming bubble, my leftist tech political news bubble. I can immerse myself deeply in those.
Yet we need to be aware of the dangers here! I'm think this limits our ability to detect bullshit – because this sensor needs fine-tuning from outside and gets dull when not challenged. Blind spots and cognitive biases become visible when we allow reflection — when we compare our beliefs and values with others.
This doesn't mean we must drop our own filters and replace them with someone else's.
And it definitely doesn't mean pushing our systems onto others.
Instead, I want to invite a practice of becoming transparent about those things — not arguing, not forcing change — simply sharing and trusting.
Group Practice: Synchronizing the Bullshit Radar
This is a practice for 2–10 people. Bigger groups can split into smaller ones.
It takes about 10 minutes per person + 30 minutes for preparation and closing.
1. Create a Body of Trust (10 min)
Start by creating connection and a body of trust within the group.
Use techniques to create a bond focused on growing together and to discharge energies of fighting. This may include dancing, meeting eyes, acknowledging each other, sharing gratitude for showing up.
Invite awareness of each person's intent.
Create an anchor – a feeling, picture, color, or gesture – that symbolizes this moment of coming together.
2. Set Sharing Rules (5 min)
- This is not a discussion. It's a sharing.
- Everyone has 5 minutes to share:
- What is something I consider bullshit?
- How do I detect it?
- Why is this important to me, based on my underlying values and beliefs?
- After each sharing:
- The next person takes 2 minutes to repeat back (in their own words) what they heard — without commenting or judging.
- Then a moment of stillness.
- Repeat this process around the circle.
- We hold back all positive or negative feedback:
- No nodding when we agree.
- No grimacing when we disagree.
- Just listen. Just observe the resonance inside yourself.
3. Do the Sharing (7 min per person)
4. Integration Time (10 min)
Personal time for everyone to:
- Journal
- Take notes
- Move your body (shake, stretch)
- Breathe deeply
- Sit in quiet meditation.
5. Set Reflection Rules (5 min)
- Again, this is sharing, not debating.
- Everyone has 3 minutes to share:
- How do I feel?
- What caused a strong reaction in me, or what do I take away?
- Why did I react this way, or why am I carrying this insight forward?
- Use non-violent communication: It's not about what others "got wrong," but about my own feelings and wishes.
6. Do the Reflection Sharing (3 min per person)
7. Ground the Experience (5 min)
Invite the group to let go of anything that no longer serves them.
Shake and visualize letting it dissolve into the earth, or use a similar grounding practice.
8. Return to the Body of Trust (5 min)
Reconnect to the anchor created at the start.
Share a moment of gratitude for showing up, for listening, for honesty.
9. Post-Practice Communication Reminder
If you feel the urge to discuss something afterwards, first ask:
"Are you open for feedback?"
10. Close
End the session with intention and care.