Woodworking and the Dunning-Kruger Effect

You use plywood!!!!!!!! Bwaaaahahahaha! ;)

Oh, and no link, perhaps you meant to add this one:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect

-- Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things.

Amen!

I agree with both (even though there seem to be more than just 2) points made. One being that the more proficient woodworkers are not always the more noticed or more listened to, and in turn those that are less competent but know how to turn on CAPS are. I think this is why it’s so refreshing going to woodworking shows, or (better yet) exhibitions and see actual finished work of others up close to understand the difference between knowledge, and experience. The other point being that with all the online forums and the massive amount of members, it’s quite easy to get pulled on the “if you want to do this, you need to buy that” train and completely lose the focus on the core subject being woodworking which can be done with very little to very high standards.

sometimes you have to get out of the box to get reminded what it is that we are trying to do here, there and everywhere.

Thanks for the post!

-- ㊍ When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

Hey Eli, Now I have a question; Where does the Peter Principle fit in to this? They sure sound as if they are connected.

This should show up on every forum you try to enter. You would have to read it and accept it like any other terms of use screen. But who really reads those anyway?

The nice thing about LJ is that you can click on someone’s profile to see what their actual skill level is. That makes for a good reality check against “inflammatory” forum posts.

-- Tony - http://ravensedgetoolworks.com

To find gold one must shovel and separate lots of dirt. and … All that glitters is not gold.

-- Bob Simmons, Las Vegas, NV, http://TheApprenticeandTheJourneyman.com

Similar to the “big fish in a little pond” and the “little fish in a big pond” scenarios. I personally just have fun doing what I do and try avoiding comparing myself to others and the skill levels…whatever they might be.

-- Every step of any project should be considered your masterpiece if you want the finished product to reflect the quality of your work. http://www.FineArtBoxes.com

I’m more along the lines of the Eddie-Kruger effect. If I make something that looks like crap, then I smash it all up and put it in the fireplace to destroy the evidence.

-- Backer boards, stop blocks, build oversized, and never buy a hand plane--

I’ve never met anyone i thought was enlightened on a subject that would say the same thing about themselves. If they do say it, then they cease to seem enlightened. Sort of like the weird particles in quantum physics. Where merely observing them changes their very nature.

-- "The way to make a small fortune in woodworking- start with a large one"

A rare blog post…meaningful…words of substance…

Thank you for introducing me to the Dunning-Kruger effect. Very interesting…some valid points…I have some reading to do….

In the end, only the work should speak…

-- Div @ the bottom end of Africa. "A woodworker's sharpest tool should be his mind."

To see a really fantastic example of the argument above, check out a bodybuilding forum. Any will do. The stud du jour will provide all manner of impossible accomplishments and non-scientific methods. I devised the FAF (forum adjustment factor) which reduces the posters height by 3 inches and poundages by 45%. Of course, on the internet, I’m 6’7” and bench 775 pounds. I also have never heard of plywood and hand-cut bookmatched veneer. :) Thanks for posting this!

-- My dad and I built a 65 chev pick up.I killed trannys in that thing for some reason-Hog

No-one has all the answers. I think its good to try things out for yourself, experiment, and find out what works for you.

-- Martyn -- Boxologist, Pattern Juggler and Candyman of the visually challenging. http://www.theartofboxes.com

Hi Eli.

I’ve spent a number of years going from site to site seaking one where I felt at home and could actually learn something worthwhile.

After all that time as a seaker, I have settled upon two sites I feel fit my own needs almost perfectly.

One is the one we are on now, and the other is one I’m sure you are familiar with as well, Tommy MacDonald’s site.

-- The nicer the nice, the higher the price!

Tony made a great point. If in doubt about advice, check the profile and projects of the offerer.

-- Paul M ..............If God wanted us to have fiberglass boats he would have given us fiberglass trees. http://prmdesigns.com/

I have also noticed that some people who are experts or talented in a particular field, sometimes consider that as adequate credentials to be authorities in other areas! And the opposite can also apply…..just because someone has little knowledge on a particular subject, does not mean that they are not gifted in any or all other fields. The humorist Will Rogers supposedly said, “Everyone is ignorant, only on different subjects!” I get frustrated at times when dealing with people and it reminds me that I need to avoid being the source of that frustration for others! And that everyone is not as expert or as courteous a driver as I am!

-- Mike P., Arkansas, http://mpounders1.blogspot.com