Curse of Knowledge

Notes

Claim

The Curse of Knowledge means that we are incapable of imagining ourselves, our thought processes or how it would be like if we didn't know what we know Mindsight is awareness of mental states in self and others. Once information sets in, it changes not only this particular piece of information but also all the rest that dependent on it, making the change extensive and irreversible Actions spread effects across people and time beyond initial cause Knowledge emerges from interconnected beliefs not foundational truths.

Explanation

This is like the problem of reading other minds We can't read minds, it is too difficult for us to place ourselves in the mind of another.

The curse of knowledge is a type of Past choices constrain future options and behavior, it limits the spectrum of our thoughts, reducing Ideation generates ideas through exploratory thinking freed from constraints, and prevents us from entering a Openness to new ideas without expert bias. Our cup is too full so new information can't be added in. That's why Forgetting is essential, it clears the way, removing useless information so that new (and better) ones can replace it.

Why it matters

Examples

The "funny thing" about the curse of knowledge is that it is even relevant when we try to picture ourselves differently. For example, if someone tells you that your favorite character is going to die or turn evil at the end of the season, suddenly you'll see it differently. You'll either love or hate her more, and you won't be able to return to the naive unbiased view you had of her beforehand.

Supporters

Opposers

Alternatively, although it is hard to do, practices of Rethinking means updating beliefs by reconsidering what you thought you knew can help us reduce cases of narrow mindedness due to the curse of knowledge.

Open questions

Visual

Overview

🔼Topic:: Overconfidence and Self-Assessment ↩️Origin:: 🔗Link::