Office for Scientific Standards

Research & Standards Division

Advancing the science of workplace nonsense since never.

Every investigation conducted by the International Bureau of Bullshit Detection follows the Official Investigative Standard IBDS-114, ensuring consistency, transparency and scientific rigor across all cases.

Our investigators do not assess the value of professions themselves. Instead, each case is evaluated by examining organizational structures, responsibilities, communication patterns and the practical usefulness of the work described.

All findings are classified in the official investigation report and presented together with the Bullshit Score and supporting evidence.

Research Standard IBDS-114 · Revision 4.2 · Approved by the Committee for Administrative Absurdities

IBBD library with David Graeber reference and case files

Foundational Research

Our analytical framework is inspired by the pioneering work of anthropologist David Graeber, whose book Bullshit Jobs introduced the concept that many modern jobs exist primarily to create the appearance of work rather than genuine societal value.

While the IBBD is a fictional institution created for educational and satirical purposes, our classification methodology is directly inspired by Graeber's academic ideas.

David Graeber (1961-2020)

Foundational Theorist of Workplace Nonsense

The ultimate source of inspiration for the IBBD classification framework.