I constantly use I think etc. in model-sharing mode because certainty can be poisonous both to your own knowledge and that of who you’re talking to. In pure information conveying mode I think X and X are identical but it’s so rare that you can know BOTH of you are in that mode that it feels way more comfortable to hedge.
What temperature does water boil at? I’m pretty sure it’s 212f.
Why are people often disingenuous? I think it’s because our brains view conversation differently than our culture does.
Why am I giving examples? Because I think there is a continuum, not just two modes. If you can stay conscious of it, placing yourself wholeheartedly in one mode or the other can be very effective, but it’s easiest to maintain a middle ground.
I constantly use I think etc. in model-sharing mode because certainty can be poisonous both to your own knowledge and that of who you’re talking to. In pure information conveying mode I think X and X are identical but it’s so rare that you can know BOTH of you are in that mode that it feels way more comfortable to hedge.
Examples: What’s bob’s phone number? It’s 555-1421!
Where is your car? it’s in the driveway
Where is bob? I THINK he’s at work.
What temperature does water boil at? I’m pretty sure it’s 212f.
Why are people often disingenuous? I think it’s because our brains view conversation differently than our culture does.
Why am I giving examples? Because I think there is a continuum, not just two modes. If you can stay conscious of it, placing yourself wholeheartedly in one mode or the other can be very effective, but it’s easiest to maintain a middle ground.