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These posts have been reminding me of Malcom Gladwell, in the unfortunate way: an collection of interesting anecdotes that together would make an interesting st

by evmar 14y ago

These posts have been reminding me of Malcom Gladwell, in the unfortunate way: an collection of interesting anecdotes that together would make an interesting story instead are blown up into a broader statement that doesn't seem to follow.

mej10 14y ago
Let's see, the previous post is based on published psychological research, and this post points out a failing of humans that is, dare I say it, obvious to anyone that has critically observed any person, ever. He isn't exactly making controversial points here, but rather trying to raise the awareness of such ideas. He also isn't trying to sell you a pop-intellectual book.
barking 14y ago
I agree. There is also a bit more to the Sammelweis story than simply doctors refusing to be self-critical. From the wikipedia article on Sammelweis (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignaz_Semmelweis http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignaz_Semmelweis): "It has been contended that Semmelweis could have had an even greater impact if he had managed to communicate his findings more effectively and avoid antagonising the medical establishment, even given the opposition from entrenched viewpoints."
- HarryHirsch 14y ago
  > It has been contended that Semmelweis could have had an even greater impact if he had managed to communicate his findings more effectively This is the point. Anyone who is properly introspective is already following the good advice given here. But how about the total ramrods one has to deal with on occasion, those people who are crazy and deluded, whose self-confidence totally exceeds their grasp of the subject matter? Blessed is the man who can say to his line manager "I won't deal with N.N. any longer, he is incompetent and unaware of it." But sometimes the constraints of work do not permit not dealing with some people, or the boss is the crazy one. What to do in such situations?
opminion 14y ago
And that's alright. Aaron is asking for feedback, not selling books and talks with this.

by evmar 14y ago

mej10 14y ago

Let's see, the previous post is based on published psychological research, and this post points out a failing of humans that is, dare I say it, obvious to anyone that has critically observed any person, ever. He isn't exactly making controversial points here, but rather trying to raise the awareness of such ideas. He also isn't trying to sell you a pop-intellectual book.

barking 14y ago

I agree. There is also a bit more to the Sammelweis story than simply doctors refusing to be self-critical. From the wikipedia article on Sammelweis (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignaz_Semmelweis http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignaz_Semmelweis): "It has been contended that Semmelweis could have had an even greater impact if he had managed to communicate his findings more effectively and avoid antagonising the medical establishment, even given the opposition from entrenched viewpoints."

HarryHirsch 14y ago
> It has been contended that Semmelweis could have had an even greater impact if he had managed to communicate his findings more effectively This is the point. Anyone who is properly introspective is already following the good advice given here. But how about the total ramrods one has to deal with on occasion, those people who are crazy and deluded, whose self-confidence totally exceeds their grasp of the subject matter? Blessed is the man who can say to his line manager "I won't deal with N.N. any longer, he is incompetent and unaware of it." But sometimes the constraints of work do not permit not dealing with some people, or the boss is the crazy one. What to do in such situations?

opminion 14y ago

And that's alright. Aaron is asking for feedback, not selling books and talks with this.