Intellectual Incompetence & The Slow Strangulation Of Integrity

The Dunning-Kruger effect is something I tend to see happening all over the place lately. I think the free flow and easy access to information, whether or not it is factual, gives people way too much confidence in their understanding of how things work and what is really happening. It is incredibly easy to filter all of your information and news through organizations that agree with your personal views.

Personally I think people who want to be informed should spend more time reading things that make them angry. If you don't agree with it, try to at least understand it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning–Kruger_effect
"In the field of psychology, the Dunning–Kruger effect is a cognitive bias in which people of low ability have illusory superiority and mistakenly assess their cognitive ability as greater than it is. The cognitive bias of illusory superiority comes from the inability of low-ability people to recognize their lack of ability. Without the self-awareness of metacognition, low-ability people cannot objectively evaluate their actual competence or incompetence."

 

Some good points, but I think it's both mis and dis.

And I'd say the real problem is self-deception. Using patently false information - or simply ignoring pressing truths - to shore up one's objectively irrational views.

 

A mild rebuke I'd say, but accurate as far as it goes.

And of course it's gotten much, much worse.

 

^ Extremely important.

The incompetent demonstrate thorough incompetence in evaluating their incompetence.

But I think this aspect of incompetence may be so hard-wired into human survival mechanics that it rarely changes.

It's what gives rise to the angry mob: one incompetent has little if any power, but many incompetents!

 

Another phenomenon I observe almost constantly is the incompetent misinterpretation of data and commentary in which the incompetent use their profound misunderstanding as *proof* of their target's failing.

This serves them well, so it's really a form of deliberate incompetence.

 

It’s not hypocrisy or deep disbelief. Our society organized itself to function by using automobiles, so until that changes, people are by-and-large stuck using them. In my community, a bike path joining two towns has been talked about for 20 years, but it was just last year that half of it was constructed. Those who want to bike between towns must do so on the side of a very busy highway, with nothing more than a painted line separating themselves from a constant line of speeding cars.

When our systems provide reasonable alternatives, then more people will be able to choose according to their principles, as opposed to necessity. In the meantime, I have a job to get to.

 

If you truly believed our cars were instrumental in warming the climate and making earth a very bad place for man to try to live you would move within walking distance of your job.

 

When I bought my house 21 years ago, I would have loved to have bought in the town where I work. But home prices there are significantly higher. Economic reality isn’t something one can just wish away.

 

You may have to downsize to save the planet.

 

I may.

Right now the bigger issue is getting Republicans to even admit the problem exists.

Which leads back to cognitive dissonance.

 

What problem? That you couldn't buy a house where you work?

I have to commute an hour each way from my house. I knew this going in, but I think living in the sticks is worth it.

You made a similar choice. You live where you live, and work where you work. Both were choices that you made, so I have to ask again...

What problem?

 

Obtuseness. Obtuseness is definitely a problem.

 

ho-hum... obviously there is no problem.

 

And we’re back to cognitive dissonance.

The circle is complete.

 

If you think it's a problem be part of the solution. Walk the walk.

 

It's amazing how much you think you know about me. How else should I live my life, oh great fakir?

 

Simple really. Just practice what you preach.

 

Hey then, let me show you my special practice for sanctimonious asses.

 

"When debate is lost slander becomes the tool of the loser"

 

Sounds exactly like something an ignorant, presumptuous, sanctimonious ass would say.

 

Indeed.

When it comes to climate change, I've come to believe that we're past the tipping point and/or that the likelihood of human cooperation on the global scale necessary is quite impossible, and thus the tipping inevitable.

So conservative cognitive dissonance functions as a safe haven; a calm port built by willful ignorance.

Non-conservatives have safe ports of ignorance as well of course, like electric cars which reduce direct emission pollution, but which often have dirty sources for the electricity.

Common will to address the problem is sorely lacking.

 

^ Another thread win.

 

It's interesting that the usual suspects aren't touching this thread. It's not surprising though.

 

https://freebeacon.com/politics/msnbc-cnn-reporters-congratulate-amazing/
AMazing . Wonder why lefty is confused all the time...