I truly believe this is everybody's perspective on the world

[misteranthony]

<p>my last thread on this was a html fiasco..</p>

<p>Everybody is engineered to believe that they're superior to their peers. This is probably why people in debates or arguments are so steadfast on their viewpoint, as they think they're viewpoint is the correct one as they are hot *****. (Heck I"m doing the same thing with this viewpoint of a viewpoint...)</p>

<p>Illusory superiority: is a cognitive bias that causes people to overestimate their positive qualities and abilities and to underestimate their negative qualities, relative to others.</p>

[CranberryOrange]

<p>I’m pretty sure a lot of depressed/insecure people don’t hold that view, but overall I agree with you. Of course, that doesn’t mean everybody is engineered to believe they’re superior in every way, but generally, the ways in which you believe you’re superior are the categories which you hold are important to humanity.</p>

[FunStuff]

<p>I think I’m superior to most…probably because I am.</p>

[Grisam]

<p>This reminds me of a quote by David Foster Wallace.</p>

<p>

A huge percentage of the stuff that I tend to be automatically certain of is, it turns out, totally wrong and deluded. Here’s one example of the utter wrongness of something I tend to be automatically sure of: Everything in my own immediate experience supports my deep belief that I am the absolute center of the universe, the realest, most vivid and important person in existence. We rarely talk about this sort of natural, basic self-centeredness, because it’s so socially repulsive, but it’s pretty much the same for all of us, deep down. It is our default-setting, hard-wired into our boards at birth. Think about it: There is no experience you’ve had that you were not at the absolute center of. The world as you experience it is right there in front of you, or behind you, to the left or right of you, on your TV, or your monitor, or whatever. Other people’s thoughts and feelings have to be communicated to you somehow, but your own are so immediate, urgent, real – you get the idea.

</p>

[CelaPlusAimaple]

<p>I was also reminded of that quote of yours</p>

[WaterWorks]

<p>You’re wrong!!!</p>

[puggly123]

<p>Most CCers are superior.</p>

[enfieldacademy]

<p>

One of the first studies that found the effect of illusory superiority was carried out in 1976 by the College Board in the USA. A survey was attached to the SAT exams (taken by approximately one million students per year) asking the students to rate themselves relative to the median of the sample (rather than the average peer) on a number of vague positive characteristics. In ability to get on well with others 85% put themselves above the median and 25% rated themselves in the top 1%.

</p>

<p>Though maybe expected, I found the statistic (especially the bolded part) quite shocking when I read it. It really gives you insight into other’s minds…insight you wouldn’t be able to get if you asked them in person (because modesty is also a valued trait).</p>

<p>Anyways, I think it’s more accurate to say that people think they’re superior to their peers in at least some ways. People will be willing to acknowledge faults (things they are not superior in) as long as they can be compensated and overwhelmed by strengths (things they are superior in).</p>

[noimagination]

<p>

Heck I"m doing the same thing with this viewpoint of a viewpoint…

QFT. Pot, meet kettle.</p>

[misteranthony]

<p>Wow, this is the first time I heard of David Foster Wallace, and that quote really hit home. I didn’t want to write a whole lot about it cause, well, it’s HSL and people are mean here…
I saw the same kind of survey, but about being a better drive than the average driver and around 80% said yes. Prob on wiki too.</p>

<p>Knowing that others have this viewpoint makes me a lot less self conscious :)</p>