Mount Stupid

going here | vol 2 | august 2024

I was recently introduced to the “Dunning-Kruger” effect and it threw me into a fit of laughter. Unbeknownst to me, this is, apparently, a very well known and established psychological theory that, as I write this, I still know very little about. This may not be new to you all, but it’s completely novel and hilarious to me. What caught my attention was the notion of being on/climbing “Mount Stupid”. 

So rather than try to explain, or do a poor job of trying to summarize the abundance of available resources on the subject created by experts/academics/people who are more qualified than me, I think it would be fun to describe my first impressions and spiralling thoughts on the subject having not educated myself any further on the topic beyond the diagram below:

I have questions. 

Stupidity loves company

Without the help of others, are we able to see for ourselves that we’re on Mount Stupid? How would we know otherwise? Realistically, the level of self-awareness required to be able to assess your own stupidity while your reality is laced with the confidence of a racehorse injected with a 8” syringe filled with steroids is aspirational at best. 

So you’re climbing Mount Stupid solo dolo and the worst part is that you’re the only one who can’t see that you’ve got your head up your ass. Your mate on the other mountain tries to warn you but do you listen? Your self confidence doesn’t let you. It’s only as you get high enough in your climb do you see someone else climbing their Mount Stupid and realize your own folly.

Double rainbows, hallucinations, and getting mentally catfished

Now you’re trying to get down the mountain while holding yourself back from vomiting because of how cool/collected/correct you thought you were. The descent is steep and your knees are completely toast. Most importantly, it’s sobering. You’re humbled. Welcome to the valley of despair.

Armed with this new sense of self, you start making your way out of the Valley of Despair and carefully build confidence as your competence grows. Momentum starts to snowball and compound. Each step is lighter and your breathing gets easier. Competence breeds confidence. Confidence feigns competence. You’ve found yourself climbing the face of the Slope of Enlightenment. Fool me twice, you say as you congratulate yourself. I have all this experience now. I know kungfu.

minutes before Neo gets his ass kicked

There’s a small dark corner of your mind. In it, hidden and tucked away after indecently exposing itself on Mount Stupid, is your ego. It’s been locked in rehab but all the staff sing praises of progress each time you pay a visit. 

As you approach the top, memories of what fooled you the first time start to fade and get replaced with hubris. Happiness forgets. You start diminishing the anguish of the first ascent. It’s not until someone on yet another Mount Stupid checks in to let you know that you’ve relapsed.

And just like that, you’re back.

Do we ever get off mount stupid? Unsure.

Reality feels like more humps

Is it more likely that you get to the Plateau of Sustainability only to realize you’ve been climbing another Mount Stupid all along? I think the diagram looks more like this:

Or if any enlightenment truly exists, it’s most likely a bit harder to get to. Maybe something like this:

I’m afraid the reality might be that we have to expect to climb several Mount Stupids as part of the journey. For all our sakes, have them be as small as possible. 

So do we ever get off Mount Stupid? Personally I think I’ve never quite left.

tasting notes | august 2024

new releases that I hope you enjoy too

Real Life - Hazel English 

• A few months ago I made a playlist called “Summer Syrup” as an easier way to listen to all her singles at once. To my delight, she released this album and they all showed up. It’s hazy and infectious. It’s like taking a bite out of a Krispy Kreme donut that’s just come off the line.

DOG HEAD - Brevin Kim

• For anyone missing Brockhampton, Brevin Kim should be your next visit. They’ve already got a ton of material and don’t look like they’re stopping any time soon.

Lungu Boy - Asake

• Feels like drinking a cold orange gatorade when you’re really thirsty. And if you like to dance. 

Mid Spiral - Badbadnotgood 

• Put this on as you sit in your sitting room wrapped in your velvet robe.

Short n’ Sweet - Sabrina Carpenter

• Just fabulous. Summer’s victory lap

When a Thought Grows Wings - Luna Li

• The title of this album is precisely what happened in this newsletter. This is the perfect soundtrack to getting yourself on the Slope of Enlightenment.

Sophcore - Moses Sumney

• This shimmers like Hawaiian tropic sunscreen 

Foster the Blind - Filthy Peralta

• Feels like when you’ve packed a really good lunch that you’re looking forward to eating.

Alligator Bites Never Heal - Doechii

• What it is hoeeeee but make it hippity hop

I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU - JPEGMAFIA

• Feels like how I think it would feel to throw your computer out the window as you rage quit your job and ride out of the building on the back of an ostrich kicking everything down in front of you.

CRYBABY - Rae Khalil

• like spreading whipped butter on warm bread

going here | vol 2 | august 2024

See you next month,

Dexter