Brandolini’s Law
Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-28
CORE DEFINITION
Brandolini's law (or the bullshit asymmetry principle) is an Internet adage coined in 2013 by Italian programmer Alberto Brandolini. It contrasts the considerable effort of debunking misinformation with the relative ease of creating it in the first place. The adage states: The amount of energy needed to refute bullshit is an order of magnitude bigger than that needed to produce it.
SCAFFOLDING EFFECT
Reduce cognitive load
Brandolini's law (or the bullshit asymmetry principle) is an Internet adage coined in 2013 by Italian programmer Alberto Brandolini. It contrasts the considerable effort of debunking misinformation with the relative ease of creating it in the first place.
Anchor fast decisions
Also known as the Bullshit Asymmetry Principle: the energy required to refute bullshit is far greater than that needed to produce it. Because clarification requires verification, evidence, and explanation, while fabrication only needs a single sentence.
MINIMUM ACTION
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Source support: Explicit
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brandolini%27s_lawverified
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