I’d posit that #6 is a source of today’s general ignorance, namely, there is so much information easily available now that we can know a little about a lot, but not a lot about even a little (unless we really put the time and focus in understanding one thing). Thus, we think we’re smart about stuff because we “already know it” after skimming the internet for 10 minutes. See, here I am acting like an expert on #6.
At least part of 17 is minimalism being more in fashion (and many attempts to be fashionable by average or non- designers won’t be so beautiful). A lot of intricate design in the past was a display of wealth. Modern manufacturing makes complex design flourishes easy to mass produce, so the distinguishing crowd moved on. My sense is that fashion is already moving on again.
I have spent my whole life thinking and living by these sorts of principles. I found much of the words of philosophers to be thoughts I had as a child. When I try to explain these to others, they act like I'm mad. I find it hard to understand how little people think, or examine ideas, themselves, etc. I often feel like an alien. I found out from a couple of brain scans, I have Gamma waves, instead of Beta waves and I wonder if this is why I can think deeply and have no instinct for material gain. I'm diagnosed schizophrenic, but I wonder how much of my altered state and vision, hallucinations, thinking, etc. is due to schizoid delirium, or Gamma waves. Either way, the people around me find me odd, but not nearly as strange as I find them. I enjoy reading your thoughts and ideas, principles, etc. as it's rare to see others capable of critical thought. So many warped in their belief of ideologies and their perceived concrete 'realities' that they can't think beyond what they were told is 'truth' or 'real' whether it's politics, culture, or religion.
c. Meta-cognition -- Dunning-Kruger, Pygmalion and Golem effects roll up into a set of meta-cognitive tools which one needs to develop to avoid having your own psychology hacked. The meta-cognitive tools for one to manage Dunning-Kruger are thus a key set of skills for all of us to develop in the modern digital world,
Also, the Farnam Street Great Mental Models project is a useful reference as well:
Thanks Matthew. the Dunning-Kruger effect is an illuminating concept; I included it in an earlier list. The Pygmalion and Golem effects are interesting but the evidence for them is mixed, so I'll wait till more research is available before deciding whether to include them.
Merci, Stéphanie. Je n’ai pas lu le piège identitaire mais il est sur ma liste de lecture. Mon propre livre est encore en construction, mais devrait sortir dans le courant de l’année prochaine.
Observation 30 is *exactly* what motivated me to begin writing on-line. I found that the researching, even if modest, and the delivery of said information, even if sometimes mediocre, solidified the understanding of the concepts for me. Kudos for all this stuff, G.
30. Generation Effect: If you really want to understand a topic, don’t read about it, write about it. The act of explaining something helps connect the dots and commit them to memory far better than the passive act of reading.
This reminds me of the Feynman technique, a study technique in which one of the main principles is to act as if you are teaching a topic to a class, because "explaining something helps commit them to memory".
I've always used this method for school and am just now realizing that I could use it for everyday topics by writing them down. Thanks for the tip, can't believe it took me until today to realize it.
31. Gurwinder Effect: When Gurwinder releases another list that blows your goddamn mind and makes you question everything.
Thank you for doing what you do!
AGREED!
“The greatest difficulty of travel is that one is forced to take oneself along.” Alain de Botton ( cousin to the “Yes Damn Effect” )
My personal favorite is Cole's Law... finely shredded cabbage and carrots with a delicious creamy or vinegar dressing
I’d posit that #6 is a source of today’s general ignorance, namely, there is so much information easily available now that we can know a little about a lot, but not a lot about even a little (unless we really put the time and focus in understanding one thing). Thus, we think we’re smart about stuff because we “already know it” after skimming the internet for 10 minutes. See, here I am acting like an expert on #6.
Aye, our understanding is a mile wide and an inch deep.
At least part of 17 is minimalism being more in fashion (and many attempts to be fashionable by average or non- designers won’t be so beautiful). A lot of intricate design in the past was a display of wealth. Modern manufacturing makes complex design flourishes easy to mass produce, so the distinguishing crowd moved on. My sense is that fashion is already moving on again.
This is the type of insightful reaction I enjoy as much as the original piece.
Surely during periods the Renaissance and Beau Arts were not simply displaying wealth but a true passion for design.
Reading this as I procrastinate getting ready for dinner plans that I Yes-damned myself into. Great work sir, keep it up!
"The culture war is essentially just each side sneering at the other side's lunatics."
Everyone should be required to recite this before logging on to Twitter.
Except, that's why they're logging on...
I have spent my whole life thinking and living by these sorts of principles. I found much of the words of philosophers to be thoughts I had as a child. When I try to explain these to others, they act like I'm mad. I find it hard to understand how little people think, or examine ideas, themselves, etc. I often feel like an alien. I found out from a couple of brain scans, I have Gamma waves, instead of Beta waves and I wonder if this is why I can think deeply and have no instinct for material gain. I'm diagnosed schizophrenic, but I wonder how much of my altered state and vision, hallucinations, thinking, etc. is due to schizoid delirium, or Gamma waves. Either way, the people around me find me odd, but not nearly as strange as I find them. I enjoy reading your thoughts and ideas, principles, etc. as it's rare to see others capable of critical thought. So many warped in their belief of ideologies and their perceived concrete 'realities' that they can't think beyond what they were told is 'truth' or 'real' whether it's politics, culture, or religion.
1. Thank you. This is useful.
2. I would add:
a. Dunning-Kruger
Extract Dunning talk: https://app.reduct.video/e/dunning---cognition-883f55218ef6-f7caf9ac23959fc27ad0/
Original Youtube lecture: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljkCyUXXlGE)
b. Pygmalion and Golem effects
These are about expectational feedback effects...
c. Meta-cognition -- Dunning-Kruger, Pygmalion and Golem effects roll up into a set of meta-cognitive tools which one needs to develop to avoid having your own psychology hacked. The meta-cognitive tools for one to manage Dunning-Kruger are thus a key set of skills for all of us to develop in the modern digital world,
Also, the Farnam Street Great Mental Models project is a useful reference as well:
https://fs.blog/tgmm/
Overall - this is an important topic and we will all have different lists of models. Appreciate you posting your list for all of us to learn from.
Thanks Matthew. the Dunning-Kruger effect is an illuminating concept; I included it in an earlier list. The Pygmalion and Golem effects are interesting but the evidence for them is mixed, so I'll wait till more research is available before deciding whether to include them.
👍
Dunning-Kruger also has mixed results, with some believing it is simply an overall artifact of ourself optimism, a matter your intelligence:
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-dunning-kruger-effect-isnt-what-you-think-it-is/
Nice! Thanks so much for taking the time to put this together.
Excellent as usual. Thank you for the hard work and providing so much Intelligence in one article.
Toujours des pensées pertinentes et au dessus de la mêlée
Je suis en train de lire le dernier livre de Yasha Mounk sur le piège de l’identité, que penses tu de cet auteur ?
J’espère lire le tien dans la foulée ... il sort quand ?
Merci, Stéphanie. Je n’ai pas lu le piège identitaire mais il est sur ma liste de lecture. Mon propre livre est encore en construction, mais devrait sortir dans le courant de l’année prochaine.
Razor-sharp and crystal-clear as always. Thanks Gurwinder!
Observation 30 is *exactly* what motivated me to begin writing on-line. I found that the researching, even if modest, and the delivery of said information, even if sometimes mediocre, solidified the understanding of the concepts for me. Kudos for all this stuff, G.
30. Generation Effect: If you really want to understand a topic, don’t read about it, write about it. The act of explaining something helps connect the dots and commit them to memory far better than the passive act of reading.
This reminds me of the Feynman technique, a study technique in which one of the main principles is to act as if you are teaching a topic to a class, because "explaining something helps commit them to memory".
I've always used this method for school and am just now realizing that I could use it for everyday topics by writing them down. Thanks for the tip, can't believe it took me until today to realize it.
This fascinating piece made me think about new concepts while at the same time had me agreeing with almost everything that Gurwinder wrote. Loved it!