Curious Saturday: How “common knowledge” shapes society
We often assume that people act based on what they know individually — but the real magic lies in what we all know that each other knows. That’s the power of common knowledge.
In his TED Talk, Steven Pinker explains how shared awareness enables coordination across society — from everyday plans to global diplomacy. Whether it’s blank signs autocrats fear, central bankers mumbling, or when saying the quiet part out loud ruins friendships — it all comes down to the same principle.
When common understanding shifts, harmony can wobble. Pinker’s talk reminds us: a stable society depends not just on what we know — but on how we know others know.
Source: https://www.ted.com/talks/steven_pinker_the_hidden_logic_of_human_harmony
