[sametmax]

But an "out-of-touch, self-absorbed or incompetent" entity would never ask itself that. And even if it did, would not recognize it.

A french singer, Brassens, used to sing something that can be translated that "to admit your are not intelligent, you need to be".

And of course you have the famous simpson episode:

http://i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/facebook/000/645/713/888...

[mannykannot]

In the limit, I agree, but we probably all have these characteristics to a degree, and can sometimes recognize that we do.