Something You Should Know

The Mystery of Common Knowledge & Why Some People Are Never On Time

11 snips
Sep 22, 2025
Join Harvard psychologist Steven Pinker, a bestselling author, as he dives into the puzzling concept of common knowledge, explaining its vital role in our social interactions and how it shapes panics and cultural norms. Journalist Emily Laber-Warren explores the fascinating realm of time personalities, revealing why some people consistently run late while others are punctual. Learn how industrialization influenced our perception of time and discover practical tips for understanding and bridging time style differences.
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INSIGHT

Self-Image Is Distorted By Memory And Vanity

  • People often misjudge their current appearance because memories and flattering bias distort self-selection of photos.
  • Strangers watching a person pick more accurate current photos than the person themselves.
INSIGHT

Common Knowledge Enables Coordination

  • Common knowledge means everyone knows X and knows that everyone knows X, ad infinitum, enabling coordination.
  • Public, conspicuous information generates common knowledge without tracking infinite belief layers.
ANECDOTE

How Sweden Switched Driving Sides

  • Sweden switched from left- to right-hand driving by picking midnight on New Year's Eve as the switch moment.
  • That conspicuous timing made it easy for everyone to remember and created synchronised common knowledge.
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