Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2023 March 22

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March 22

Is there a «meta-Reference Desk» about Wikipedia? A question about Prof. Edward Dutton's comments on 'midwits', my interpretation as related to Wikipedia users

Hello, When I talk about the «meta-Reference Desk» I don't mean the WP:TEAHOUSE, this is for questions about using and editing Wikipedia, I mean a question-board about the nature, if you will, about the characteristics of the Wikipedia project. Of course, such a thing doesn't exist. Because this RD:MISCELLANEOUS is about general knowledge, or about any kind of knowledge, and not about Wikipedia specifically -- or even perhaps about questions of real-world knowledge to the exclusion of Wikipedia, where would be more appropriate to ask this question?

Yesterday I listened to one of the video-logs of noted Edward Dutton The Psychology and Rise of the Mid-Wit where he gives his understanding of the nature of the mid-wit -- that is, people with average or slightly above-average intelligence who rise to advanced levels of education and employment -- yet are not possessed of genius-level intelligence which would allow them to make serious changes in definition, or which would imbue them with a kind of awkwardness; social ineptitude. He says therefore that the midwit is compelled to adopt the prevailing philosophy or viewpoint, both for social benefits and personal (career) benefits -- because he is more concerned with these than the pursuit of truth -- indeed, according to Dutton, he will also adopt behaviors which slightly advance the prevailing cultural ethos, in order to demonstrate his own intelligence and originality -- as well as to respect and trust authority as such, rather than to form his own opinions or understanding. That is, the individual with certain letters in front of his name and qualifications in particular fields is worthy of trust, and those without proper letters (PhD for example), qualifications and so on is not deserving of trust. The midwit, according to Dutton, behaves in this way precisely because he is not possessed of the higher reasoning capabilities of the genius-level intelligence which would allow him to form his own opinions. However, genius scientists such as Albert Einstein made contributions to several fields of science in which they had not been trained; they were capable of this because of their genius-level intelligence which allowed them to 'connect the dots' and solve complex cognitive problems.

Thus Dutton describes the hallmarks or noted tendencies of the midwit as obstinate trust and reverence for authority and illogical, even counter-factual insistence on adherence to the prevailing orthodoxy. Immediately when I resumed browsing and editing Wikipedia I was struck by the resemblance of some users with whom I have been familiar to this picture.

Well, my questions are this: Are Professor Dutton's comments valid in your view? Are they applicable to the behavior of Wikipedia users in your experience, or even to a description of the ethos of Wikipedia policy (constant reference to reliable sources), reliable meaning Western and liberal, i.e. orthodox in the view of the typical global citizen who edits Wikipedia? Fishing Publication (talk) 13:34, 22 March 2023 (UTC)

The Reference desk does not provide opinions. --Ouro (blah blah) 14:56, 22 March 2023 (UTC)

While we do not ourselves provide opinions, you can find opinions on Professor Edward Croft Dutton's contributions to the global discussion here and here. Note the observation that "Dutton provides little to no evidence in his videos for his controversial claims, most often only offering his unverifiable opinion." For example, one may wonder what evidence backs up the claim that people with an IQ of 120 cannot come up with "original breakthroughs". He has this in common with the more famous youtuber Jordan Peterson, and also selects the same types of controversial claims and has a similar dishonest way of dismissing criticism. Perhaps Dutton is emulating Peterson in the hope of attaining a similar level of popularity, so to say a "copycat breakthrough".  --Lambiam 17:18, 22 March 2023 (UTC)

While the English Wikipedia does not have an article in this Edward Dutton there is another wiki that does. I won't link to it for BLP reasons but rationally it should be easy to find and will provide context whether Dutton can be trusted. Nil Einne (talk) 22:05, 22 March 2023 (UTC)