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When I started getting into reading pop psychology in my mid-20s, I was very lucky to have a dad who reminded me to be skeptical of this stuff, despite it all s
by breckenedge 5y ago
When I started getting into reading pop psychology in my mid-20s, I was very lucky to have a dad who reminded me to be skeptical of this stuff, despite it all sounding very confident. Doubly lucky to have a brother-in-law who eagerly criticized Gladwell’s “Outliers.”
- smitty1e 5y agoI was very appreciative of the Scott Adams podcast[1] when he pointed out that any story or study that is too "on the nose", that is, hits our confirmation biases too perfectly, needs to be approached with extra caution. [1] https://www.scottadamssays.com/ https://www.scottadamssays.com/
- perl4ever 5y agoThat idea didn't originate with him. I can't recall enough of a quote to find it right now, but someone said something like "any story that's good enough to be repeated should be regarded with skepticism'. It's the sort of thing that might be attributed to Mark Twain or Robert Heinlein, whether or not they said it.
- ksaj 5y agoThat's a great quote. I tried and failed to find the source, but if it comes to mind some time between now and before you've forgotten you ever mentioned it, please consider adding it to the thread.
- TrevorJ 5y agoI find it wonderfully self-referential that the quote in question can't really be attributed reliably. It's perfect.
- hobs 5y agoAdvice he should have probably taken when referring to 4d chess.