Incentivising(@incentivising):I have seen intelligent people destroy their careers by never learning to play dumb. Conveniently, game theory explains why that happens: In most high-stakes hierarchies, influence is perceived as a zero-sum game. If you appear "too intelligent," you are perceived as a threat. That can lock you out of important networks. Let the others feel superior for a while and hide your intelligence until deployment. Unfortunately, most people will never utilize this strategy. It necessitates acting strategically, not egoistically.

2026.05.14 08:37

I have seen intelligent people destroy their careers by never learning to play dumb. Conveniently, game theory explains why that happens: In most high-stakes hierarchies, influence is perceived as a zero-sum game. If you appear "too intelligent," you are perceived as a threat. That can lock you out of important networks. Let the others feel superior for a while and hide your intelligence until deployment. Unfortunately, most people will never utilize this strategy. It necessitates acting strategically, not egoistically.