Seriously

Nov 27, 2010 09:57


If I'm ever absolute dictator of the world, the very first thing I'll do is outlaw use of the phrase "common sense," especially in any positive context.

Common sense does not work on anything but the simplest matters. And even then, rarely. If you tell someone "careful, it's hot" common sense tells you not to touch it. What do you do? Touch it to see how hot it is.

But in more complex matters, common sense often directs you to the wrong answer, flat out. Look at the Monty Hall problem. Almost nobody ever gets why the odds are different, and on their first look they'll almost always think they're the same. It works, in real practical tests. But common sense isn't what will get you through the problem.
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