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Why LDS apologists think they are smart
Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2023 1:57 am
by doubtingthomas
LDS apologists suffer from the Dunning-Krugger effect. To make things worse, most apologists (LDS and Christian) are over the age of 45. Studies have found that the brain's capacity for comprehension and reasoning skills declines from age 45. It's very unlikely that an apologist will ever change his/her mind.
It makes perfect sense that the majority of church leaders are over the age of 50. You can bet a lot money that all General Authorities will remain loyal to the church no matter what.
https://www.bmj.com/press-releases/2012 ... rn-experts
Re: Why LDS apologists think they are smart
Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2023 2:08 am
by drumdude
A somewhat related fact I learned recently: you are barred from becoming an Air traffic Controller if you’re older than 30. Apparently after 30, the government has no faith that your old worn out brain has the capacity to learn such a demanding skill.
This is supposedly based on extensive research, although it still seems like unfair discrimination to me. I guess when lives are at stake you can discriminate.
Re: Why LDS apologists think they are smart
Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2023 2:15 am
by Res Ipsa
drumdude wrote: ↑Mon Apr 24, 2023 2:08 am
A somewhat related fact I learned recently: you are barred from becoming an Air traffic Controller if you’re older than 30. Apparently after 30, the government has no faith that your old worn out brain has the capacity to learn such a demanding skill.
This is supposedly based on extensive research, although it still seems like unfair discrimination to me. I guess when lives are at stake you can discriminate.
Yes, that's the concept behind BFOQs. (Shades, that's Bona Fide Occupational Qualifications).
Re: Why LDS apologists think they are smart
Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2023 8:58 am
by Physics Guy
No-one thinks themselves better dressed than the naked nobles of the Emperor's court.
Re: Why LDS apologists think they are smart
Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2023 12:54 pm
by Philo Sofee
drumdude wrote: ↑Mon Apr 24, 2023 2:08 am
A somewhat related fact I learned recently: you are barred from becoming an Air traffic Controller if you’re older than 30. Apparently after 30, the government has no faith that your old worn out brain has the capacity to learn such a demanding skill.
This is supposedly based on extensive research, although it still seems like unfair discrimination to me. I guess when lives are at stake you can discriminate.
so they let 70+ year olds run for President?!? Now that's typical duh yup thinking...

Re: Why LDS apologists think they are smart
Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2023 1:44 pm
by dastardly stem
doubtingthomas wrote: ↑Mon Apr 24, 2023 1:57 am
LDS apologists suffer from the Dunning-Krugger effect.
Don't we all? to some extent or another. I think the goal would be to recognize our shortcomings. That too, though, becomes a bit of a problem for all of us to some extent or another.
To make things worse, most apologists (LDS and Christian) are over the age of 45.
Luckily they got Smoot to force your negative to carry a qualifications. 45 is the new 25 when it comes to cognitive thought and growth...I hope.
Studies have found that the brain's capacity for comprehension and reasoning skills declines from age 45.
luckily to add a positive to this, for some like Gee, or Peterson, or whoever...when they reached their peak of 45 they were miles ahead of us all. Or that's perhaps what they think.
It's very unlikely that an apologist will ever change his/her mind.
I'd guess all of them still have a chance to change their mind about something. Me too. But admittedly on most matters I probably won't change my mind. I try to keep it open.
It makes perfect sense that the majority of church leaders are over the age of 50.
That's what they think. It's good to be old and seasoned as a leader. That only makes sense.
You can bet a lot money that all General Authorities will remain loyal to the church no matter what.
Well, I don't know about no matter what. But it's highly likely. sure. You have to wonder if say one of the younger apostles gets an in person visit from God and says "leave this corporation behind and let everyone know it's a fraud." If such a person would just still pretend to believe. It may happen. But, I mean the likelihood of a God, whatever that is, factoring in He's going to show up and talk to someone...your basically right...no matter what they'll believe. But they can't help their belief. you're convinced of what you are convinced of. SOmeone would have to present them with a more reasonable case, as they see it. I'd find that too difficult since it appears to me, to even consider Mormonism or Christianity for that matter as some truth, you'd already would have had to leave the conception of rationality behind, as MG admittedly has done.
Ahh...son of a b!tch...it's all downhill from here, folks.
Re: Why LDS apologists think they are smart
Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2023 2:27 pm
by Doctor Steuss
dastardly stem wrote: ↑Wed Apr 26, 2023 1:44 pm
Don't we all? to some extent or another. I think the goal would be to recognize our shortcomings. That too, though, becomes a bit of a problem for all of us to some extent or another.
If I recall correctly, there was an interview with Justin Kruger once wherein he lamented that their "Unskilled and Unaware..." study has been used by people primarily to look outwards rather than inwards.
I wanted to link it, but either my google skills suck, or my brain just made up the memory of the interview.
As an aside, one of their later studies indicated that people who lack the ability to accurately assess their own knowledge/abilities also lack the ability to accurately assess the knowledge/abilities of others. So, I guess therein is the rub... people who see Dunning-Kruger in others are potentially victims of Dunning-Kruger.
*brain-splode*
Re: Why LDS apologists think they are smart
Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2023 3:47 pm
by Moksha
The verbal skills of older people actually increase, which is why Kerry is so eloquent.
Of course, I could imagine orthodox Saints suggesting that Biden is too old to be President.
Re: Why LDS apologists think they are smart
Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2023 8:12 pm
by dastardly stem
Doctor Steuss wrote: ↑Wed Apr 26, 2023 2:27 pm
dastardly stem wrote: ↑Wed Apr 26, 2023 1:44 pm
Don't we all? to some extent or another. I think the goal would be to recognize our shortcomings. That too, though, becomes a bit of a problem for all of us to some extent or another.
If I recall correctly, there was an interview with Justin Kruger once wherein he lamented that their "Unskilled and Unaware..." study has been used by people primarily to look outwards rather than inwards.
I wanted to link it, but either my google skills suck, or my brain just made up the memory of the interview.
As an aside, one of their later studies indicated that people who lack the ability to accurately assess their own knowledge/abilities also lack the ability to accurately assess the knowledge/abilities of others. So, I guess therein is the rub... people who see Dunning-Kruger in others are potentially victims of Dunning-Kruger.
*brain-splode*
Hey thanks, Dr Steuss. i looked for this interview too and didn't find it. I'll look more fully later. But certainly sounds interesting. It feels like we throw out the D-K effect too casually or apply it too broadly. We often throw it out as an accusations against others in casual conversation or debate. Applied that way, it seems all of us fall victim.
Re: Why LDS apologists think they are smart
Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2023 10:49 pm
by Res Ipsa
dastardly stem wrote: ↑Wed Apr 26, 2023 8:12 pm
Doctor Steuss wrote: ↑Wed Apr 26, 2023 2:27 pm
If I recall correctly, there was an interview with Justin Kruger once wherein he lamented that their "Unskilled and Unaware..." study has been used by people primarily to look outwards rather than inwards.
I wanted to link it, but either my google skills suck, or my brain just made up the memory of the interview.
As an aside, one of their later studies indicated that people who lack the ability to accurately assess their own knowledge/abilities also lack the ability to accurately assess the knowledge/abilities of others. So, I guess therein is the rub... people who see Dunning-Kruger in others are potentially victims of Dunning-Kruger.
*brain-splode*
Hey thanks, Dr Steuss. i looked for this interview too and didn't find it. I'll look more fully later. But certainly sounds interesting. It feels like we throw out the D-K effect too casually or apply it too broadly. We often throw it out as an accusations against others in casual conversation or debate. Applied that way, it seems all of us fall victim.
Wise words!