Month: September 2026

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“Me r uh jeen-ee-us. Me knows because me plays one on duh enterwebs.” ? Every “Dunning-Krugerand”

The problem with folks who—absent genuine evidence—think of themselves as “the smartest person in the room” is multifaceted and includes LOADS of people who are smarter, their own blind spots and ignorance of their own ignorance, and more. They don’t even need me in the room (not the smartest person there by far, quite often, but smarter than THEY are? Almost certainly) to prove the breadth and depth of their stupidity.

And, quite often, “smart” people fool themselves into thinking they are smarter than they are. [Insert typical astrophysicist intoning CACA* doctrine here.]

Sometimes it is fun to just sit back and watch any one of the multitudes of people who are smarter than I am kick “Dunning-Krugerand” butt.

Popcorn and beer, folks.

*Cult of Anthropogenic Climate Alarmism (also, just plain caca)

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Corollary to Kipling’s “A General Summary”

It’s a sad thing to realize that any interaction with authority figures must be governed by the realization that it is extremely difficult to tell in initial contact whether they are exercising legitimate authority. . . legitimately. Or not. Time can tell the tale, but giving up information unnecessarily in the beginning only gives illegitimate interlocutors more hooks to deceive and manipulate the interaction to your detriment. Concealing information from legitimate authority, until they prove their legitimacy and good will, can slow the process (whatever it may be) and possibly instill suspicion in them, but until their intent is proven worthy, questions to define the scope and sequence of the interaction ultimately followed, if necessary, with “Fifth Amendment. Lawyer,” seem to be the only safe strategy. (Tactics for safe obfuscation and reverse-interview *heh* can vary.)