Ego problems in learning
The ego is the most destructive factor for someone who wants to learn. In I don’t know shit. People don’t either, I argued that the following of conventional wisdom and social recognition is the biggest factor for people to think they know shit, and stop learning. However, I started to notice age and expertise might begin to be an ego problem for my learning too.
Yesterday, I went to a reading night and there was a young kid passionately talking about a book, Flow. He gave me a passionate speech, but when I asked, “How can one achieve flow then?” he stumbled, avoiding my question and returning to his passionate speech. He claimed that this book is superior because most psychology research is supported by hundreds of data points, while this book is backed by thousands. At this moment, three thoughts crossed my mind:
- “Can psychology data points be counted and aggregated as a single data point? Bruh?”
- “Why not just admit that you don’t know?”
- “Well… I used to be that passionate young kid giving pitches too.”
The first thought arose from my expertise in data science. After my training, I’ve become quite discerning when it comes to distinguishing good data from bad data. Additionally, having minored in psychology, I’m well aware of the numerous biases and problems in this field.
The second thought reflected my commitment to honesty in learning. I was inspired by my Harvard medical school professor, who could confidently admit, “I don’t know” during our basic natural science class. In contrast, at NTU, where egos clashed frequently among students. Nowadays, I truly value the courage and honesty required to say, “I don’t know.”
The third thought stemmed from my past experiences. His presentation of himself as a young and passionate individual might have diminished the impact of his speech.
And then I ubered home.
Well, let’s set aside the actual value of his speech for now and focus on my moment of immediate “closing off” for a moment. It’s a combination of expertise, values, and associations with past experiences.
Expertise can lead to some dangerous judgments. As I learn more and become proficient in a particular field, I tend to dismiss thoughts that contradict the principles of my expertise. However, every field operates on a set of assumptions, and as we advance further in the field, we often overlook or forget those assumptions. That’s why science can become entrenched in a specific paradigm, awaiting bold individuals to challenge and change it, as illustrated in Kuhn’s The Structure of Scientific Revolutions.
In the book The Art of doing science and Engineering and Range, they also discuss the problems experts face due to reduced flexibility and seeing problems from different angles because when you have a good hammer everything looks like a nail. Yet, when experts tell you what is not possible to achieve, think twice because
All impossibility proofs must rely on a number of assumptions, which may or may not be applicable in specific situations. —
What’s even worse is that as we grow older, the concept of age can foster arrogance in us, leading to an immediate inclination to close off or even correct others. Now, it’s about solving some real problem but solving our own ego problems.
BUT! I don’t want to be an annoying, grumpy grandma who nags at people all the time. Sometimes, people, and even yourself, assume that you need to know a lot just because you are older. Nah! I want to be a fun, curious grandma when I’m 80 years old too!
I’m not saying that I will believe whatever bullshit people tell me. I just want to maintain an open mind with the flexibility to change my thoughts! As my mentor put it so well, “I have strong convictions but hold them loosely.”
My weirdo friends, I think that having “strong convictions but holding them loosely” is the hardest thing to do on earth. I have been thinking about how to practice this.
