[WesolyKubeczek]

I’ve been thinking about those concrete examples I remember which have driven me to the conclusion I stand by now, and it was always more like “what’s your take on this thing that’s resonating in the news/happening where you live”, and they feel compelled to have an opinion and sound smart and deep on top.

It’s likely worse with celebrities who are generally smart and well-read on a wide range of subjects, who think that because they think they know a thing or two, that they should bestow their pearls of knowledge upon their audience.

The reality, though, is that they are in fact an illustration of the popular understanding of the Dunning-Kruger effect, because they don’t know how much they don’t know, sometimes even after a demonstration of the contrary.

I know about at least one such person who gave very thoughtful interviews on politics and blogged opinions and how he knew how to put things right, ran for a seat in the parliament twice, actually got elected both times, and failed miserably at his job both times, ending his mandate prematurely.

[kbenson]

Well, I'm not going to act like some people don't interpret their success as a mandate of how exceptional they are overall, and I'm sure being somewhat more intelligent than average in an industry known for sycophants probably leads to some unhealthy mental self image problems. These people definitely seem to exist. I think we should be careful to not let our admiration and displeasure of each set color our interpretations of the other though, and keep in mind some people are just trying to help where they can.

> the popular understanding of the Dunning-Kruger effect

You had me (my upvote) at hello (the acknowledgement of the popular misunderstanding). ;)