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:
People tend to find uncertain outcomes less tolerable than bad outcomes.
Absolutely. As Morgan Housel once said, "People don't want the truth. They want to reduce the uncertainty that is in their heads."
This also explains why Uber is a huge success. Because since people could now see how long it would take for their ride to get to them, the uncertainty of getting a ride was drastically reduced.
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!
“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.
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.
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.
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.
Nice! Thanks so much for taking the time to put this together.
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.
Excellent as usual. Thank you for the hard work and providing so much Intelligence in one article.
Razor-sharp and crystal-clear as always. Thanks Gurwinder!
22. Ambiguity Aversion:
People tend to find uncertain outcomes less tolerable than bad outcomes.
Absolutely. As Morgan Housel once said, "People don't want the truth. They want to reduce the uncertainty that is in their heads."
This also explains why Uber is a huge success. Because since people could now see how long it would take for their ride to get to them, the uncertainty of getting a ride was drastically reduced.
Thank you so much for sharing. You insipired me write something similar but tailored for educational stakeholders. https://open.substack.com/pub/thevaluejunction/p/27-psychological-concepts-for-effective?r=2knor6&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
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 ?
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!
Awesome. Thank you!