Why Stupid People Think They're Smart

Wait, wait, wait – before we dive into this, if you're someone who prefers absorbing information through videos, check out these two inspiring YouTube videos that fueled my thoughts on this topic: "The Dunning Kruger Effect" by Sprouts and "Why Stupid People Think They're Smart" by Mark Mason. They offer valuable perspectives that tie into what we're about to explore.

Now, let's embark on this journey together.

In 1995, Arthur Wheeler attempted a bank robbery with his face coated in lemon juice, believing it would render him invisible to cameras. He thought that lemon juice acts as an invisible ink on paper and could work on him to.Unsurprisingly, Wheeler was swiftly apprehended, leading psychologists David Dunning and Justin Krueger to delve into the peculiar world of individuals like him.

Their findings revealed the Dunning Kruger effect – A cognitive bias where people with low ability in a task tend to overestimate their skills, while those with high ability often underestimate their own competence.

Imagine a Knowledge Graph:

Picture a graph charting one's confidence in their ability against their actual knowledge in a field. As we begin learning, our confidence is high due to limited knowledge. We think we know it all! But as we delve deeper, the complexity dawns on us, leading to a dip in confidence. However, perseverance unlocks mastery, ultimately restoring confidence while acknowledging the vastness of what we still don't know.

Why Does This Happen?

Let's break down knowledge into four quadrants:

• Known-Knowns: Things we know we know (e.g., riding a bike)

• Known-Unknowns: Things we know we don't know (e.g., quantum physics)

• Unknown-Knowns: Things we forgot we knew (e.g., driving to your childhood home)

• Unknown-Unknowns: Things we don't know we don't know

As beginners, we're aware of what we know but oblivious to what we don't. Imagine someone new to basketball. They see throwing the ball in the net - simple, right? But as they learn, the nuances unfold: shooting mechanics, positioning, different shot types. The more they learn, the more they realize they don't know.

The Expanding Circle of Knowledge:

Think of knowledge as a circle. The inner area signifies what you know, and the border represents what you're aware you don't know. This "horizon of knowledge" determines your uncertainty. As your circle expands (you learn more), the border grows too, highlighting how much more you have to learn. However, some knowledge becomes automatic and fades from conscious awareness, creating another internal border.

The Tricky Reality of Cognitive Biases

Now, here's the tricky part – discovering the Dunning Kruger effect might make you feel immune to its grasp. You might be tempted to think, "I'm aware of my flaws; I'm an expert at everything!" But the truth is, cognitive biases persist even when we're aware of them. It's a paradox – the blind spots in our understanding are called blind spots for a reason.

Overcoming this challenge requires humility. While it's tempting to settle on beliefs for comfort, practicing humility opens doors for continuous learning and growth. It's a reminder that being less emotionally attached to our opinions can lead to a more open-minded and less confrontational online presence.

Holding fewer, less strongly held opinions and being open to questioning our beliefs are crucial steps. When encountering something upsetting online, instead of jumping to conclusions, consider, "What do I really know?"

In conclusion, the Dunning Kruger effect teaches us that humility is not just a virtue; it's a practical approach to navigating the vast sea of knowledge.

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Stay Curious!!