Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Bill Gates recommends this book, and he is right to do so. Extraordinary book, gives more than a little hope during this Trump era: _Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress_, by Steven Pinker.
Pinker is a fascinating person and is quoted as saying:
Quote:
Humans are "systematically self deceived. Each one of us thinks of ourselves as more competent and benevolent than we are."
Do you feel you have an accurate idea about your intelligence and character?
Status:
"I don't understand. But I don't care, so it works out."
(set 1 day ago)
35,580 posts, read 17,923,325 times
Reputation: 50612
I kind of disagree. Some of the most effective people, and the most competent people I know don't rate themselves that way. Typically people who get awards for their profound positive impact on society say they're embarrassed to get the award, there were so many others who are equally deserving. And they truly mean it.
Typically, in an employee year end review, the completely useless employees rate themselves very highly, and the employees who are valuable to the company see that they have growth areas.
I kind of disagree. Some of the most effective people, and the most competent people I know don't rate themselves that way. Typically people who get awards for their profound positive impact on society say they're embarrassed to get the award, there were so many others who are equally deserving. And they truly mean it.
Typically, in an employee year end review, the completely useless employees rate themselves very highly, and the employees who are valuable to the company see that they have growth areas.
Maybe its more important to evaluate by "intention" rather than the resulting competence. If someone's intent is honestly to improve their abilities, to be more humane, less judgmental, to continue learning, etc. they are probably less likely to deceive themselves.
I kind of disagree. Some of the most effective people, and the most competent people I know don't rate themselves that way. Typically people who get awards for their profound positive impact on society say they're embarrassed to get the award, there were so many others who are equally deserving. And they truly mean it.
Typically, in an employee year end review, the completely useless employees rate themselves very highly, and the employees who are valuable to the company see that they have growth areas.
^^^^I agree with you!
The smarter someone is - in the sense of being awake and aware, open-minded, attuned to their surroundings and curious about the wider world - the more humble they tend to be.
Many smart and talented people doubt themselves is that they know the world is vast and their own knowledge is limited. They don't brag about their knowledge or successes, and they are uncomfortable in the limelight.
They may have terrific experience and incredible judgment, but they also know that they'll never know everything there is to know, even about their favorite subjects.
Dumb people are often arrogant and think the world about themselves. They tend to compliment themself for just about everything they vaguely know. They brag about their success and money they make. They aren't even exaggerating - they really believe it.
When people boast constantly about how smart they are - they lack self-confidence, feel inadequate, or are seeking validation from others.
Bill Gates recommends this book, and he is right to do so. Extraordinary book, gives more than a little hope during this Trump era: _Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress_, by Steven Pinker.
Pinker is a fascinating person and is quoted as saying:
Do you feel you have an accurate idea about your intelligence and character?
I kind of disagree. Some of the most effective people, and the most competent people I know don't rate themselves that way. Typically people who get awards for their profound positive impact on society say they're embarrassed to get the award, there were so many others who are equally deserving. And they truly mean it.
Typically, in an employee year end review, the completely useless employees rate themselves very highly, and the employees who are valuable to the company see that they have growth areas.
Speaking for myself, I think I cut myself too much slack. But if I did not do this, I also think I would be paralyzed with guilt. I do not have patience with the idea that we deserve treats, like desserts, luxurious environment, privilege. We deserve these things as much as we deserve hunger, poverty, repression.
As far as I can tell we are all flawed people. I might elevate myself over someone else because of her perceived faults, but the fact is, I am as flawed in metaphysical, or in Christian terms. If I am guilty of something, then I am guilty of everything.
I do think that it is very tempting to think more highly of ourselves than we ought. But there are others who think themselves the most hopeless of sinners. Either extreme is harmful, IMO.
We are all guilty of something; but equally we are all innocent of something.
The exceptions to this are psychopaths.
And I am totally aware of rampant evil in the world. But most of us are as guilty as we are innocent. IMO.
Humans are "systematically self deceived. Each one of us thinks of ourselves as more competent and benevolent than we are."
If this was true, then why are so many depressed and feel worthless? How come most don't even try to reach the stars? Shouldn't that also mean, there should be more failures around, because everyone thinks they can do more than they are capable of?
Or am I not understanding this phrase correctly?
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
