And it’s only one of the many cognitive biases we all suffer from. Being aware of how we get hijacked by limbic thinking is a first step, self awareness is a second.
My most frequent encounters with this diabolical evil is with men in dark blue uniforms.
If you have any experience with these types you’ll recognize immediately the signs of both their incompetence, and their complete lack of awareness of their incompetence. I suspect it’s a function of wearing a badge and a gun. They have a job specific niche as well: they never believe what you tell them, and they think that makes them clever. Avoid them at all costs.
At a young age my parents told me to avoid all Police contact because my behavior, loud and/or smart mouth would not be appreciated by them. That advice served me well. I’m now quite a nice citizen. Just saying…
Questioning authority is natural to me. Obedience to unearned authority is a terrible thing. A burly cop of about 35 years once asked me why I wouldn’t let him search my car. I said he had no reason to. (He didn’t). He if I didn’t like cops. I said, politely, “Well, cops killed my grandfather and half his family”. He looked confused. I said, again politely, they were called Nazis in those days. He said “Oh, that was before my time.” But he sensed an opportunity, a need to impose rather than to understand.
I walked towards my car and he grabbed my arm, hard. I reflexively pulled away, and in three seconds was on the ground with him screaming in my ear. Resisting arrest.
Two cracked ribs, car towed, afternoon in jail. Later, the DA apologized and dropped all charges.
“Before his time”…Well, that time is still here now.
Would I do it again? I suppose I would have to, because I did nothing wrong. Questioning irresponsible authority is not a crime, it’s a duty.
Well all of our Prime Ministers here in UK since Margaret Thatcher have been prime examples of Dunning-Kruger,the nadir being Boris Johnson. Our Sir Keir is almost as bad but I think he knows how awful he is being. And I've never voted Tory in my life. I cite Mrs Thatcher because in her era the last of the old style politicians left us,a few stayed on till Cameron but it was the end of an era.
In my youth and young adulthood I was a poster child candidate for this syndrome.
I used to be someone who easily took things personally and got defensive when criticized. Over time, I learned to appreciate people who kindly and thoughtfully pointed out areas for improvement. Their feedback helped me want to grow and change in a positive way, instead of reacting with anger or wanting to fight or run away.
I'm grateful for these experiences, which have taught me a lot through real-life practice. I look forward to learning more about this topic, building on what I’ve already learned from my own experiences.
Thanks for the conversation—I'm excited to keep learning!
Before these guys coined this effect, I called the worst offenders “stupid-stupid” - so dumb they can’t fathom that anyone else might be smarter than them (most pathological liars fit here).
Now I just assign them my DK scale I.e. ‘that guy is spouting DK10 level stuff. ‘
This is why I only drink Diet Dunning Krueger.
Love your perspective on the topic. I too wrote about this a few weeks back and it can be found in my account.
Dr. C
Thanks. Just went to your site and read it. 👍
And it’s only one of the many cognitive biases we all suffer from. Being aware of how we get hijacked by limbic thinking is a first step, self awareness is a second.
Pretty sure I know the Dunning-Kruger Effect better than anyone — don’t even need to read this to know I won’t learn anything.
Well that stopped me making a big mistake with lemon juice, back to using a ski mask
My most frequent encounters with this diabolical evil is with men in dark blue uniforms.
If you have any experience with these types you’ll recognize immediately the signs of both their incompetence, and their complete lack of awareness of their incompetence. I suspect it’s a function of wearing a badge and a gun. They have a job specific niche as well: they never believe what you tell them, and they think that makes them clever. Avoid them at all costs.
Right now it’s the ones without any badges and with masks who are ascendant.
At a young age my parents told me to avoid all Police contact because my behavior, loud and/or smart mouth would not be appreciated by them. That advice served me well. I’m now quite a nice citizen. Just saying…
Questioning authority is natural to me. Obedience to unearned authority is a terrible thing. A burly cop of about 35 years once asked me why I wouldn’t let him search my car. I said he had no reason to. (He didn’t). He if I didn’t like cops. I said, politely, “Well, cops killed my grandfather and half his family”. He looked confused. I said, again politely, they were called Nazis in those days. He said “Oh, that was before my time.” But he sensed an opportunity, a need to impose rather than to understand.
I walked towards my car and he grabbed my arm, hard. I reflexively pulled away, and in three seconds was on the ground with him screaming in my ear. Resisting arrest.
Two cracked ribs, car towed, afternoon in jail. Later, the DA apologized and dropped all charges.
“Before his time”…Well, that time is still here now.
Would I do it again? I suppose I would have to, because I did nothing wrong. Questioning irresponsible authority is not a crime, it’s a duty.
Don’t you mean Dunder-Mifflin ?
I think he means blueberry Mifflin. With streusel topping.
Anne. You’re perfect.
Trump took a dunning-Krueger test. He aced it like no one has ever aced it. Hugely!
Well all of our Prime Ministers here in UK since Margaret Thatcher have been prime examples of Dunning-Kruger,the nadir being Boris Johnson. Our Sir Keir is almost as bad but I think he knows how awful he is being. And I've never voted Tory in my life. I cite Mrs Thatcher because in her era the last of the old style politicians left us,a few stayed on till Cameron but it was the end of an era.
Great explanation for the current administration’s missteps.
Thank you for this great article as a reminder of where many of us can make significant changes or polish our current more positive responses.
In my youth and young adulthood I was a poster child candidate for this syndrome.
I used to be someone who easily took things personally and got defensive when criticized. Over time, I learned to appreciate people who kindly and thoughtfully pointed out areas for improvement. Their feedback helped me want to grow and change in a positive way, instead of reacting with anger or wanting to fight or run away.
I'm grateful for these experiences, which have taught me a lot through real-life practice. I look forward to learning more about this topic, building on what I’ve already learned from my own experiences.
Thanks for the conversation—I'm excited to keep learning!
Before these guys coined this effect, I called the worst offenders “stupid-stupid” - so dumb they can’t fathom that anyone else might be smarter than them (most pathological liars fit here).
Now I just assign them my DK scale I.e. ‘that guy is spouting DK10 level stuff. ‘
People who do this are emotional reasoners, and emotional reasoners are stupid.
Trump is the global-scale biggie. Stockton Rush also a contender.
I know two incompetent morons named Mark who need to understand this.
If the two Marks are lucky they will hear of this and learn from a more thoughtful and humble person than you
Mcdaniel and bialick; you’re highly presumptive. You have no multiversal idea how stupid they are or how humble I am.
So, Mark Twain?