(Dis)illusionment

We are all subject to illusions, whether we are aware of them or not. In fact, the more convincing the illusion, the less aware we probably are. Our perception of competence in others is often deceiving and misleading. It can be very difficult to judge someone else’s actual competence in an area well outside your field. What they say may sound reasonable or plausible, but if you are looking to actually judge the correctness of what they are saying, you are likely to get it wrong. We are in fact challenged assessing our own competence as well, given our tendency towards overconfidence and other biases. We are the main character in our story. Famously, most people believe they are better drivers than average. There is a good chance your judge your own ability at certain things more favorable than it is. The circle of competence provides a simple, useful model for both the view towards self as well as the one towards others. It is easy to form beliefs about progress, productivity, isn’t…