No One's the Smartest Ape in the Room
Humility is the light of reason.
Principle
Your brain is impressive - and also a narrative machine with bugs.
Human intelligence evolved to survive, not to be perfectly objective.
Remembering this keeps curiosity alive.
The Failure Mode
Ego turns "I might be wrong" into "I must be right."
Certainty feels good.
It also shuts down learning faster than almost anything else.
The Practice (This Week)
- Say "I could be wrong" once per day - out loud.
- Replace one hot take with a genuine question.
Reflection (Optional)
What belief do you defend mostly because it is yours?
Related Hymn
Hymn III - No One's the Smartest Ape in the Room
Lesson Cards
Principle
No One's the Smartest Ape in the Room
Your mind is powerful - and imperfect. Humility keeps reason alive.
Failure
The Failure Mode
Ego turns "I might be wrong" into "I must be right."
Practice
This Week's Practice
Say "I could be wrong" once per day - out loud. Replace one hot take with a question.
Practical wisdom for living decently in a complicated world.