What is the Dunning-Kruger effect?

Vaccines are one of the safest and most effective health interventions for infectious diseases. They have had a staggering impact on reducing the burden of infectious cases worldwide.

However, a minority of people oppose their use, and some actively spread misinformation about the safety and effectiveness of vaccines.

The Shadow draws your attention to the Dunning-Kruger Effect:

Named after psychologists David Dunning and Justin Kruger, the Dunning-Kruger effect is a type of cognitive bias that causes people to overestimate their knowledge or ability, particularly in areas with which they have little to no experience.

In psychology, the term “cognitive bias” refers to unfounded beliefs that many of us have, often without realising it. Cognitive biases are like blind spots.

The Dunning-Kruger effect suggests that when we don’t know something, we aren’t aware of our own lack of knowledge. In other words, we don’t know what we don’t know.

Think about it. If you’ve never studied chemistry or flown a plane or built a house, how can you accurately identify what you don’t know about that topic?

This concept might sound familiar, even if you’ve never heard the names Dunning or Kruger. Indeed, the following popular quotes suggest that this idea has been around for some time:

Quotes about knowledge

• “Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance.” — Confucius
• “Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge.” — Charles Darwin
• “The more you learn, the more you realise you don’t know.” — Unknown
• “A little learning is a dangerous thing.” — Alexander Pope
• “The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.” — William Shakespeare

Simply put, we need to have at least some knowledge of a topic to be able to accurately identify what we don’t know.

But Dunning and Kruger take these ideas one step further, suggesting that the less competent we are in a given area, the more likely we are to unknowingly exaggerate our own competence.

The keyword here is “unknowingly.” Those affected aren’t aware that they’re overestimating their own ability.

Watch: YouTube

Law and Order

The Shadow has noted that the British Police are keeping an eye open for offenders who might stray from the narrow path of diversity and inclusion.

“They are painting rainbows on their cars when we have figures showing that only 7% of violent crime ends in prosecution. They have moved from policing crime to policing thoughts and speech because it is easier,”  Harry Miller, a former UK police officer, said. 

To each, his own, as they say.

Lingua File

Here’s a challenge for President Andrew, he of the Lingua File: please clarify the meanings of “can” and “may” for us.

Chairman Dan’s Covid Rules state that ”masks cannot be removed to drink alcohol outdoors”.

I tried this yesterday in the back yard. I easily removed my mask, and the Glenmorangie tasted as good as ever. 

Please explain  ;-)

On the Home Front:

Wee Jock is currently in disgrace.