Comments on: On the ubiquity of the “Impostor Syndrome”

By: georgesdelatour

georgesdelatour — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 14:07:48 +0000

The Russell quote feels like a paraphrase of W.B. Yeats:

“the best lack all conviction, while the worst are filled with passionate intensity”

By: Juan

Juan — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 17:41:13 +0000

sooo… I have talk to a bunch of people about politics issues, economics, etc. and normaly most of the time when I get, for example, good part from the left and good for the right and make something like a third way and I try to put people to talk about what could we done because I feel like ,if I put what I like I would be like Hitler. and both of them attack me … is lke insane… soo I may have that syndrome… and the other one I do too… but i guess I have been lucky telling people that I’m not really and expert on such feild even tho I express it anyways about the comment before… that looks like one of your painting and I’m pretty sure that you did it sooooo keep it in mind hahaha

By: Juan

Juan — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 17:18:41 +0000

Is wonderfull!! if someday you have the crazy idea to give it away for free… put me first in the list hahaha

By: alan

alan — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:06:43 +0000

The Impostor Syndrome:
Is this where you hear some idiot? Expounding as fact, an hypothesis that has more holes in it than a string vest. Then realise, that its you?

The Dunning-Kruger effect.
Is this where you hear some idiot? Expounding as fact, an hypothesis that has more holes in it than a string vest. Then realise, that it’s probably a politician?

“The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt.”
Fortunately, distinguishing one from the other is a simple matter of posing questions.

By: Higgs boson

Higgs boson — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:42:08 +0000

@Emma: The hardest part of learning is learning how to learn.

By: Flapjack

Flapjack — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 14:04:55 +0000

I was just reading about the Dunning-Kruger effect in a philosophy primer… it seems like quite a few philosophers discovered versions of the phenomenon for themselves. Ahad Ha’am (1856-1927) is highlighted in the book for saying that although we worship wisdom, self confidence matters more, and often wins the day.
It’s difficult to be emotionally objective enough to pass judgement on my own abilities. Sometimes I reckon I have imposter syndrome, occasionally I think I have a severe case of Dunning-Kruger. Mostly I’m just plain insecure.

By: Emma

Emma — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:58:58 +0000

How very apt – I bumped into my neighbour whilst we were both walking home today, and with half a mile to fill, we ended up talking about her nearly-completed thesis; I just about rank as ‘competent’ when it comes to her topic.

I was surprised to not find myself feeling inadequate in that discussion. Thinking about it, I believe for myself it must be influenced by the way I learn. Reading books, watching documentaries, attending lectures, and so on inform us a great deal, but don’t test us; we end up believing we understand and hoping that we aren’t mistaken.

Whereas in my studies, most time is spent in discussion. This teaches me that I can analyse even things I don’t know much about, and come to conclusions which don’t cause Prof. Dr. Whomever Esq. to bust up laughing.
Works for me!

By: Shaun Banks

Shaun Banks — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:04:12 +0000

@Lawrence: Try deflection by getting the other person to talk about themselves. Most people like to do this and they will like you as a result. Obviously do not use this method with stalkers, serial killers and the like.

When dealing with extreme organisations & groups first use stupidity to get individual members to become over confident to the point they become complacent and then use more intelligent confrontation to challenge their ideals and then sit back and see where the unity & divisions exist within their group or organisation. With most organisations and groups disparity will always exist between its members through ego and intellectual interpretation and it is here where the strengths and weaknesses in their ideals and conviction are found. Otherwise just offer to make the tea

By: Shaun Banks

Shaun Banks — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:54:58 +0000

“The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt.”

That statement really narrows down the number of intelligent people in the world.

With regards to philosophy I cannot be certain of anything so does that make me intelligent or stupid?

Intelligent reasoning can bring the best out of stupidity.

I am reasonably stupid but intelligent enough to know an idiot when I see one. Years of looking in the mirror have taught me that.

By: tutta

tutta — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:48:31 +0000

Isn´t it like that, the more you know, the more you doubt?