Nonsense Quote by Mencius Moldbug
![“[I]n many ways nonsense is a more effective organizing tool than the truth. Anyone can believe in the truth. To believe in nonsense is an unforgeable demonstration of loyalty. It serves as a political uniform. And if you have a uniform, you have an army.” quote by Mencius Moldbug](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ddb/mencius-moldbug-44998_truth_i-n-many-ways-nonsense-is-a-more-effecti_1051817.jpg)
““[I]n many ways nonsense is a more effective organizing tool than the truth. Anyone can believe in the truth. To believe in nonsense is an unforgeable demonstration of loyalty. It serves as a political uniform. And if you have a uniform, you have an army.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Unqualified Reservations by Mencius Moldbug, 2007
Nonsense can bind people more tightly than truth because it demands loyalty beyond evidence.
In simple terms: Nonsense creates loyalty; truth does not.
Key Takeaway
Beware of rallying around ideas without evidence.
Themes
politics
loyalty
truth
nonsense
groupthink
Mood
skeptical
critical
warning
Type
cautionary
political
When to use this quote
- political movements
- cult like
- propaganda
- social media campaigns
Key Concepts
Ideology
social cohesion
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What evidence would you accept before following a belief?
- How does loyalty to an idea affect rational discourse?
A Different Perspective
Nonsense may also spread misinformation and erode critical thinking.
![“It's [Los Angeles] mostly full of nonsense and delusion and egomania. They think they'll be young and beautiful forever, even though most of them aren't even young and beautiful now.” quote by Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a86/christopher-hitchens-117_beautiful_it-s-los-angeles-mostly-full-of-nonsense_10462.jpg)
