Kathryn G. O’Brien, PhD
Foundational Essays | Reflections
What If Expertise Gets in the Way of Learning?
I value expertise, but the older I become, the more suspicious I am of expertise that never allows itself to be surprised. Knowing a great deal can help us recognize what we're looking at. It can also make us remarkably quick to decide that we already know what we're looking at.
Why Do We Keep Talking Ourselves Out of What We Want?
Some desires barely survive the week.
Others survive decades.
You keep thinking about Paris. Or writing. Or learning to paint. Or starting a business. Or living somewhere entirely different.
And every time the idea appears, you have an answer ready.
It’s too expensive. Too impractical. Too disruptive. Too late. You don't have the talent. You have responsibilities. You should be satisfied with what you already have.
