The Dunning-Kruger Effect and The Mother Sauces

I know that I know nothing- Socrates.

The Dunning-Kruger Effect is a bias wherein people grossly overestimate their competence.

Most of us never really noticed how widespread it’s become until the Trump Administration, when we witnessed it on the big stage, all day every day. We watched in awe as he bungled his way through one disaster after another, bragging about how great he did, attacking people he mistakenly deemed his peers, and we all wondered what the fuck was wrong with the guy, how he could be so painfully unaware. With that template, it became easy to see the same delusional behavior in other places. Case in point, the anti-vaccers, who to our collective peril believe they know more that the CDC, the strange anti maskers, the climate deniers. Former President Dunning-Kruger empowered our nincompoops and gave them a platform.

I eventually saw it in myself, and though I lack the grandeur and operatic scale of some, I can no longer deny it. I should never, ever do certain things with food, especially when I’m sure it will be a cake walk, in spite of the obvious difficulty, and these things, especially when I think I’ll feel inexplicably compelled to brag about it afterward… well. It’s The Dunning-Kruger Effect. The top of this list? Reinterpreting any of the Mother Sauces with a New Mexican fusion flair. I don’t care how perfect Béarnaise is on paper. I know, deep down, where I know Santa isn’t real and the Earth is round, that I can reinvent it. I know I can. And, given past results, I also know I will fail. One simply cannot add green chilis to everything. And yet as I write this, I- I feel a growing certainty that the key is cumin seed oil. Toasted cumin seed oil! And… a stock form of garlic and green chilis and shallots, double reduced. With a hint of smoky, caramelized pine nut puree. Why do I do this? I’m forced to admit that I have no idea. Probably just like the rest of them.

I know that I know nothing- Socrates.

Head over to http://www.greatpinkskeleton.com and check out the Summer Reads list for some great cookbook suggestions.