#901 - Tom Segura - Why Does The Modern World Make No Sense?

The discussed topic by Segura and Williamson explores the psychology behind our perceptions of competence and incompetence, as well as the concept of "cultivated stupidity" in the context of skill development and task execution.

Competent People Seen As Cold, Incompetent As Warm

Segura discusses the natural inclination to feel warmer towards someone who appears incompetent, as there's a human desire to help those perceived as less capable. Segura and Williamson agree that, conversely, a competent person is often perceived as cold, possibly due to the belief that capability requires sacrificing social connection for skills and autonomy.

Overcomplicating Tasks May Mask Incompetence or Insecurities

Williamson and Segura discuss the idea that embracing simplicity can lead to not overcomplicating things or getting stuck. Embracing the so-called "boring" aspects of skill development, such as repetitive practice, is more effective than overanalyzing. They refer to this approach as "cultivated stupidity," which is something people who aren't "naturally gifted with it" need to cultivate.

For example, Matt Fraser, a CrossFit Games champion, is mentioned for his discipline in memorizing his engineering textbook word for word and starting over at any mistake. This type of dedication to the monotonous aspects of skill development is a form of "cultivated stupidity," accepting discomfort and tedium without complaint.

Embracing "Stupidity" to Enhance Task Focus

Williamson and Segura argue that "stupid people," or those less introspective, might a ...

Emotions significantly impact behavior, with guilt, shame, and fear playing critical roles in decision-making and self-perception.

Guilt and Shame Drive Behavior, With Guilt Linked To Chance Of Being Caught

Chris Williamson notes that guilt can act as an early warning system, with its intensity often proportional to the likelihood of being caught. A person might feel less guilty about a minor infraction they believe will remain undiscovered versus a major one that poses a high risk of detection. This emotional response prompts individuals to rethink their actions or come clean to prevent worse consequences.

Warning: Reconsider Actions Before Consequences

Williamson suggests that guilt serves as a nudge, encouraging a person to reconsider their actions or confess before the situation escalates. Such insights indicate that guilt isn't merely a post facto emotional response but can serve as a preventative mechanism to guide behavior.

Fear of Failure Leads to Challenge Avoidance and Self-Image Protection

Overcoming Fear Requires Cultivating Self-Acceptance and Embracing Discomfort

Williamson and Segura's discussions center on fear's effects on behavior: avoiding challenges to protect self-image, the emotional toll of engaging in mentally taxing activities, and the reluctance to assert oneself. For many boys, the fear of being pushy, especially in the wake of movements like Me Too, leads to inaction and a lack of experience in social interactions. Segura shares that political engagement, for him, can risk emotional wellbeing, and watching comedians who perform poorly triggers discomfort and insecurity.

Tom Segura relates his aversion to assertiveness to a lack of role models, leading to repressed issues and emotional outbursts. Such avoidance is tied to the discomfort around advocating for oneself.

The anticipation of a challenging conversation, Segura notes, is often more intimidating than the discourse itself, suggesting the importance of facing rather than fleeing fears. Reflecting on his own growth, Segura values assertive communication and indicates that such self-advocacy represents overcoming the discomfort that initially led to avoidance.

Williamson points out the need for self-care before one can effectively support others, while conversations hint that the advocacy one readily extends to friends should be applied to oneself too. This app ...

Chris Williamson and Tom Segura delve into the human tendency to overcomplicate tasks and the value of simplicity in actions and thoughts.

Individuals Complicate Tasks to Appear Knowledgeable

Williamson speaks about the unnecessary complexity of the stories one tells oneself, often arising from fear of conversations or concerns about how assertive one should be. He introduces the concept of the Keynesian beauty contest to explain how people might overthink their behavior, attempting to meet perceived expectations of others rather than following their own opinion. This often stems from a desire to appear normal or unencumbered under scrutiny.

Segura discusses the difficulty of conversations and articulating personal needs, indicating that fear or insecurity could lead to overcomplicated interactions. Williamson mentions Neil Strauss's quote about unspoken expectations, suggesting that people create complex rules and expectations instead of directly communicating needs, possibly to avoid confrontation with their own limitations.

Defense Against Acknowledging Limitations or Insecurities

Williamson suggests this complication as a habitual response to challenges and as a defense mechanism against confronting personal limitations or insecurities. For example, in the context of a crime investigation, individuals overcomplicate their reactions due to fear of being suspected, which may be a defense against admitting to their insecurities. Segura notes how such behavior contrasts with someone who is at ease with themselves and highlights that simplicity and control generate confidence.

Focus On Essentials Over Excessive Analysis or "Optimizing" Every Detail

Williamson discusses the midwit meme to illustrate how people in the middle of the IQ spectrum tend to overcomplicate tasks, while individuals on the opposite ends gravitate towards the same simple conclusions. He argues that people in the middle are often attempting to be like the person on the right (considered intellectual or wise)—a reflection of a defense against acknowledging one's limitations.

Segura discusses how individuals often get bogged down by unnecessary details—for instance, finding reasons not to do a production shoot when core actions such as opening a laptop or getting on stage lead to progress. He suggests that focusing on essential a ...

Tom Segura, alongside Chris Williamson, delve into their fascination with true crime and the psychological underpinnings at play in people's extreme behaviors.

True Crime Captivates due to Fascination With Extreme Behavior

Both Segura and Williamson capture the essence of our collective fascination with true crime through their exploration of criminal minds.

Witnessing the Contrast Between one's "Normal" Persona and Their Potential For Violence Prompts Reflection on the Darkness Within Humans

Segura speaks about the startling contrast between the perceived 'normal' behavior of individuals and their potential for extreme violence. He finds that the accessibility of criminal acts, which can happen in familiar settings, magnifies the intrigue. Segura contends that witnessing another's extreme actions forces us to reflect on our own potential for darkness. Moreover, he is transfixed by the overlap and deviations between "normal" and criminal behaviors, pondering the slender difference that can lead to heinous acts. Segura underscores that, while factors such as neglect or trauma may contribute to violent behaviors, sometimes these elements are absent in those committing the crimes.

Williamson echoes these sentiments, discussing how certain methods of crime like poisoning, often associated with female serial killers, are less sensational yet equally as profound in their implications about human nature.

Perpetrators' Emotional Detachment and Cold Rationality in True Crime Cases

Segura and Williamson discuss the enigma of the cold, detached killer compared to the one acting in a state of rage.

Emotional Response Gap Fuels Curiosity and Unease in True Crime Stories

In their conversation, Segura reflects on the ease of empathizing with someone who has acted violently out of anger when compared to the more chilling, detached approach of a methodical killer. The terror elicited by a perpetrator who plans and executes crimes with a rational mind is heightened, in part, due to the emotional response gap from observers. Segura cites the interrogation of Scott Peterson as an example; Peterson's unsettling calm and casual manner in the face of his wife's disappearance was notably contrary to expected behaviors, thus ampl ...

Tom Segura and Chris Williamson delve into how society's values often pit autonomy against connection, influencing how we perceive and relate to each other, especially with regard to competence.

Highly Competent Individuals Seen As Less Warm and Socially Connected

The conversation begins with an examination of societal pressures, especially on women, to meet aesthetic standards that can impact not only personal behavior but social perception as well. Segura notes that behavior such as using drugs for weight loss instead of exercise and diet could suggest that striving for an image of competence in appearance might lead to a perceived lack of warmth or social connection.

Additionally, Williamson and Segura discuss how current social narratives, particularly around gender, can exacerbate feelings of isolation, affecting both individual perception and their ability to connect with others.

Dynamic Stems From Human Need For Autonomy and Connection, Often Seen As Incompatible

Williamson delves into the human need for autonomy, acknowledging that it's crucial for building capacities and capabilities. However, he points out that cultivating such independence often comes at the expense of connection. This inherent tension suggests that these fundamental needs often appear incompatible within societal expectations.

Trust in Incompetence and Vulnerability Fosters Relatability

Within this framework, people tend to trust and relate to those who display incompetence or vulnerability, according to the discussion. The perception is that such individuals are more approachable and less threatening to the social balance.

Competent Individuals May Be Viewed Suspiciously as Their Capabilities Can Threaten Perceived Social Balance

Conversely, Segura highlights that competent individuals might be viewed with suspicion. The fear that their intelligence could be a threat leads to them being perceived as less ...