Certainty and its Discontents: The Rise of Small Talk & the End of Thinking

“What gets us into trouble is not what we don’t know. It’s what we know for sure that just ain’t so.” ― Mark Twain

Doubt as a Problem

As social subjects, especially in Western contexts, doubt is seen as a problem to be overcome.

Being sure, being unequivocal, no matter the form or the content of a perspective, is a desirable state of mind we’re encouraged to embrace. Our sense of self welcomes the supposed confidence of being categorically…