I am blown away. This is fantastic material for people with Asperger's and high functioning Autisim. I have been trying to understand this my whole life. Brilliant. Thank you.
I would like to thank RSA Animate, and Steven Pinker, for leaving this video up on YT all these years. I use it (and other things by Mr. Pinker) to teach advanced English fluency, and am so grateful it hasn't been pulled down. It's still amazing (and useful), 11 years later!
I'm impressed by how much easier it is to understand the talk when the iconography is added. I have tried to listen to talks by Pinker before and found myself replaying them several times to be sure I understood the gist of it.
This is the most fundamental thing to consider when it comes to the modern concept of consent. Human interaction is so much more than the words we say out loud to each other. Be weary of the over simplification of complex human interactions.Explicit content is necessarily elusive, so much more information is communicated in its absence.
@JoshuaKolden I mean, I thought I would go for humor, and maybe you would clarify - but to be clear, what you said lacked clarity. My best guess is you were pointedly opaque for parody purposes. But you were talking about consent, so that makes me wary. And weary.
@@n.a.larson9161 I think you fell for your own lack of clarity reflected back at you. But to address your first reply I'm referring to the value of innuendo. People think overtly clear statements solve communication problems, but they fail to notice the reason overt communication is often avoided. See video for examples.
@@JoshuaKolden I did see the video and it's kind of you to refer me back to it. This new statement is clear and that's helpful. It's helpful because your first one wasn't. So we're all being clear and straightforward, sometimes ambiguity is okay or even better. But there are risks to ambiguity, too, and many times the pros of direct and careful language outweigh the cons. See the direct communication of the instructional video for example.
Sarcasm fits this theory perfectly. As obvious as the words may be sarcasm keeps mutual knowledge out of the equation because the listener can never be 100% sure if the person making the comment was serious or joking. And the person making the comment never knows for sure if the listener interpreted his comment seriously or as a joke.
@@martinkunev9911 If you distill the information into practical solutions, then yes. I came here because I formed a postulate about my disposition and I needed some knowledge to understand where the solution may lie. The solution for me: improve chronic sleep problems, get out and socialize more, practice using innuendoes, practice being in the moment, listen to what people say instead of what I wanted them to say or thought they said.
This is all true. Languages have a profound impact on understanding. If you study the development of new languages, there is a pattern that some 80% of languages follow when adding new words describing color. Most languages at one time will have considered blue as a shade of green, for example. Also, some languages don't have words for numbers higher than two or three. This has a profound affect on understanding.
Notice the lack of 'likes', and 'ums'. Its refreshing to hear a person who respects language, speak. I wish I had better command of it myself. Brilliant lecture!
I lost it when he drew the hyena XD Also, these are great captions. Would watch my whole documentary playlist again if they had the same momentum and captions as this. I'd be watching for weeks.
THe bit where he is talking about revolutions can also apply to the internet as well. Where a person points out something on say Facebook, he is making it clear how he feels, allowing others to show they feel similarly, making internet forums, effectively an online public square.
after first seeing one of these videos, i disregarded it as superfluous in an egotistical reaction. i was in awe of how powerful this idea is. It is obviously a tremendous achievement to get nearly one million views for these academic talks
We complain about bureaucracy in the government, but the people have their complex forms of expressions and getting "mutual knowledge" through as well. I'm sure most of the viewers of this video are exhausted by the insignificant and irrelevant comments we often find on the youtube and yahoo sites. Mutual knowledge is obviously subjective...I think we need more logical debate classes in our school systems to rid of bigotry and ignorance. Great video!
Humans are very touchy about their relationships. People distinguish these relationships sharply and when one person breaches the rules of these relationships, they both suffer an emotional cost. Nonetheless, humans often risk these breaches for several reasons. Finally, humans think a lot about what others think about them and relationships are ratified by this mutual knowledge. How is this not about human nature?
How's this simplistic and ignorant? This is spot on. Yes there are many variables, but the model that he is using and the flow of logic is completely valid. Not to say that other factors influence speech and socializing, but this is a great place to start!
Yeah I agree. This seems like a very sensible paradigm for analyzing a lot of cases of this phenomena in speech (Obviously there are countless exceptions in social theories such as this). Many times when people use these innuendos to communicate they both betray their hidden intentions by a facial tic or something, which then leads to another reaction, namely one that signifies that the intended individual knowledge is now mutual. However this is usually accidental so it in no way nullifies the theory, it's rather more of a breakdown in the attempt at using this method of communication.
@erictoong That's exactly what they were saying at the end. When something is said as an innuendo, there is room left for fiction (in the video it was the "fiction of friendship"). The same thing applies for literature and art. When the artist decides not to say something explicitly, it leaves room for the fiction readers and viewers call "individual interpretation".
"I highly doubt you could have communicated this concept with a hundredth of the finesse that this speaker did." I didn't think I need to. I thought everyone already knew it.
@timtfj I think the point is to attract a wider or more visual audience..and make it kind of fun. If you don't like it, just listen to it and don't watch the video. To me the drawings aren't distracting, they add a visual element that make it more entertaining, while I'm being taught something. I'm sure if classes where taught like this, people would probably pay more attention.
I don't know why you would do that tbh. It just opens up the potential for an unfavourable interaction unnecessarily. The point of this kind of communication is to check something while preserving the relationship type if the attempt fails. Not to check something and destroy the relationship if it fails.
Lol nice illustration to overstatement which the speaker mentioned in the beginning of the video, & devaluation of words in particular adjectives and phrases of politeness :)
Very nice, as part of Intro to Psychology we're learning about human language; this video nicely built on some of the areas of language we didn't delve into!
I think another reason why people do this is that they know, deep down, that they are being unreasonable. Eg I had friends in the past who would provide advice and support, for which I was grateful, but my gratitude went to their heads and they began to think of themselves as mentor/saviour figures and they gave me unsolicited advice. If I managed to solve a problem or make a decision on my own, they would get offended that I didn’t want or need their advice. Their advice had been more about their egos than genuinely about helping me, and they knew it, so they would huff and puff rather than tell me directly that they were upset or why.
If only the US media would properly perform its duty as a reporter of events!! Earlier today, I was reflecting on the crowds that demonstrated in 2004 at the convention in New York. Crowd estimates ranged up to 800,000. Upwards of 1800 were illegally arrested and held, yet there was no sense in the general media about what was going on or its scale, much less what the demonstrators' message was.
@Diddmund HI, thanks for the comment. I do think most of the vid was about personality types - some types just dont engage in the levels of silliness that were described. For instance, upper caste Indians (mostly I am talking about Hindus) will not all treat lower castes disdainfully though the caste relationship exists. a lot of lower caste Hindus allow themselves to be mistreated, but those with stronger natures (type) will take a stand or opt-out. Now there are some dalit millionaires.
So, let's see if I understand this: Indirect speech is an invitation that the other party is free to turn down. However, it only works best when everyone is on the same page about it, without having to have it explained to them. In contrast, direct speech commits everyone regardless of whether they felt ready or not. Also, awareness of the boundaries and expectations of a particular relationship (family + friends, work, or transactional business) can actually change the social "arena" (the rules) which we are expected to operate within.
That was interesting! It makes sense though! How we use innuendos to make us feel comfortable and act as a buffer preventing us from knowing the objective truth of a situation! I always thought we made them because we humans are clever and sly people xD
The part that I still struggle with is why some people continue to insist that the obvious innuendo really was a genuine statement after they’ve been called out and bend over backwards to make it sound plausible. E.g. suppose Harry asks Sally out on a date. Sally is not interested. So she says she’s “washing her hair” or something equally implausible. Harry, who wasn’t born yesterday, (accurately) suspects that this is just an excuse, so he says “look, if you’d rather not go out with me then that’s fine, but I’d rather you were just direct and honest about it.” Sally then feigns offence at the suggestion that she’s being dishonest and insists that she really does have to wash her hair at the exact time Harry proposed for the date because of some rare medical condition. Harry feels bad, apologises and asks her out on another date about a week later. Sally says “sorry I’m washing my hair again” and complains to her friends that Harry won’t get the message and leave her alone. Surely all of this is more awkward than it would have been if Sally had just said no in the first place? Perhaps it’s a double bind because being direct now means admitting that she lied?
we all do this, but to have it deconstructed and presented in as simply makes it less "glamorous". I find that with most things once you analyze/study/understand something it becomes less interesting (in some cases more interesting) but there isn't that spark of curiosity anymore.
Interesting era we are living where Mutual Knowledge spreads faster and easier... I wish people wasted less time on the Internet looking for entertainment and more on self improvement.
The types of communication listed starting at 4:00 have their basis in moral reasoning and personality; which is the shifting of moral reasoning when potential has not been achieved. Dominance comes from preconventional reasoning. Reciprocity comes from conventional moral reasoning. Kinship is a manifestation of post conventional moral reasoning in communication. Of particular import is the communication of those of universal ethics - which tends towards kinship for obvious reasons.
I am blown away. This is fantastic material for people with Asperger's and high functioning Autisim. I have been trying to understand this my whole life. Brilliant. Thank you.
I would like to thank RSA Animate, and Steven Pinker, for leaving this video up on YT all these years. I use it (and other things by Mr. Pinker) to teach advanced English fluency, and am so grateful it hasn't been pulled down. It's still amazing (and useful), 11 years later!
I'm impressed by how much easier it is to understand the talk when the iconography is added. I have tried to listen to talks by Pinker before and found myself replaying them several times to be sure I understood the gist of it.
I feel like Sheldon Cooper chilling with unordinary people when I watch your contents guys.
It really is a relief.
This is the most fundamental thing to consider when it comes to the modern concept of consent. Human interaction is so much more than the words we say out loud to each other. Be weary of the over simplification of complex human interactions.Explicit content is necessarily elusive, so much more information is communicated in its absence.
You mean...yeah no I don't know what you mean. Wait...are you coming on to...someone? If we can always be friends, that would be awesome.
@@n.a.larson9161 Some people are better at it than others, to be sure
@JoshuaKolden I mean, I thought I would go for humor, and maybe you would clarify - but to be clear, what you said lacked clarity. My best guess is you were pointedly opaque for parody purposes. But you were talking about consent, so that makes me wary. And weary.
@@n.a.larson9161 I think you fell for your own lack of clarity reflected back at you. But to address your first reply I'm referring to the value of innuendo. People think overtly clear statements solve communication problems, but they fail to notice the reason overt communication is often avoided. See video for examples.
@@JoshuaKolden I did see the video and it's kind of you to refer me back to it. This new statement is clear and that's helpful. It's helpful because your first one wasn't. So we're all being clear and straightforward, sometimes ambiguity is okay or even better. But there are risks to ambiguity, too, and many times the pros of direct and careful language outweigh the cons. See the direct communication of the instructional video for example.
Sarcasm fits this theory perfectly. As obvious as the words may be sarcasm keeps mutual knowledge out of the equation because the listener can never be 100% sure if the person making the comment was serious or joking. And the person making the comment never knows for sure if the listener interpreted his comment seriously or as a joke.
The best 10 minutes I have ever spent watching TH-cam vídeos. Thanks for posting, this is a game-changer.
+Alex Allan Why do you say it's a game changer? Do you think this knowledge has direct practical applications?
Alex Allan really?
@@martinkunev9911 If you distill the information into practical solutions, then yes. I came here because I formed a postulate about my disposition and I needed some knowledge to understand where the solution may lie.
The solution for me: improve chronic sleep problems, get out and socialize more, practice using innuendoes, practice being in the moment, listen to what people say instead of what I wanted them to say or thought they said.
I love RSA, they make me feel less alone.
I retained more in this medium that most lectures I have seen in my whole life...
I'm going to go look at my etchings now.
This is all true. Languages have a profound impact on understanding. If you study the development of new languages, there is a pattern that some 80% of languages follow when adding new words describing color. Most languages at one time will have considered blue as a shade of green, for example. Also, some languages don't have words for numbers higher than two or three. This has a profound affect on understanding.
Both the animation and the information in this video are brilliant.
I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed this presentation. Mr. Pinker did an excellent job here. Well done.
Notice the lack of 'likes', and 'ums'. Its refreshing to hear a person who respects language, speak. I wish I had better command of it myself. Brilliant lecture!
I lost it when he drew the hyena XD
Also, these are great captions. Would watch my whole documentary playlist again if they had the same momentum and captions as this. I'd be watching for weeks.
THe bit where he is talking about revolutions can also apply to the internet as well. Where a person points out something on say Facebook, he is making it clear how he feels, allowing others to show they feel similarly, making internet forums, effectively an online public square.
This was art - both the talk and the animation.
after first seeing one of these videos, i disregarded it as superfluous in an egotistical reaction. i was in awe of how powerful this idea is. It is obviously a tremendous achievement to get nearly one million views for these academic talks
We complain about bureaucracy in the government, but the people have their complex forms of expressions and getting "mutual knowledge" through as well. I'm sure most of the viewers of this video are exhausted by the insignificant and irrelevant comments we often find on the youtube and yahoo sites.
Mutual knowledge is obviously subjective...I think we need more logical debate classes in our school systems to rid of bigotry and ignorance. Great video!
This gave my 16-year-old mind a lot to think about, should watch it over and over
You have no idea how much this helped me...
About the only way I sit through one of these talks. Animating them makes ALL the difference IMHO :-)
one of the most insightful talks i've ever seen
Humans are very touchy about their relationships. People distinguish these relationships sharply and when one person breaches the rules of these relationships, they both suffer an emotional cost. Nonetheless, humans often risk these breaches for several reasons. Finally, humans think a lot about what others think about them and relationships are ratified by this mutual knowledge. How is this not about human nature?
the ambiguity of language is sometimes needed to maintain relationship and avoid award situations. That makes sense!
Woot! Thanks for listening to the requests about zooming out to see the whole thing, very cool indeed
How's this simplistic and ignorant? This is spot on. Yes there are many variables, but the model that he is using and the flow of logic is completely valid. Not to say that other factors influence speech and socializing, but this is a great place to start!
Yeah I agree. This seems like a very sensible paradigm for analyzing a lot of cases of this phenomena in speech (Obviously there are countless exceptions in social theories such as this). Many times when people use these innuendos to communicate they both betray their hidden intentions by a facial tic or something, which then leads to another reaction, namely one that signifies that the intended individual knowledge is now mutual. However this is usually accidental so it in no way nullifies the theory, it's rather more of a breakdown in the attempt at using this method of communication.
@erictoong That's exactly what they were saying at the end. When something is said as an innuendo, there is room left for fiction (in the video it was the "fiction of friendship"). The same thing applies for literature and art. When the artist decides not to say something explicitly, it leaves room for the fiction readers and viewers call "individual interpretation".
There was nothing in this video that I didn't already know but now that it's explained to me, now I KNOW that I know ;)
Wow, this made me realize where have I done wrong sometimes in my life...good thing RSA could turn this into mutual knowledge!
This video helps us to improve our mutual understanding. Thank you for sharing.
RSA animate is a treat in the subscription box.
Your videos totally eclipse all the other platitudinous tat on TH-cam, they're fantastic!
Very well and laboriously explained with word-art and sequence. Language is really a huge window into the soul.
The point at 7:45 is perhaps the most crucial for me to realise. Very critical idea.
possibly this and Slavoj Zizek's first as tragedy then as farce are my favourites so far. As a young philosopher, these animates are priceless to me.
Amazing video! Language is the bridge between your mind and the physical world. It's a beautiful thing.
I enjoyed this....
relationships and communication issues are always starnger than the truth...
"I highly doubt you could have communicated this concept with a hundredth of the finesse that this speaker did."
I didn't think I need to. I thought everyone already knew it.
@timtfj I think the point is to attract a wider or more visual audience..and make it kind of fun. If you don't like it, just listen to it and don't watch the video. To me the drawings aren't distracting, they add a visual element that make it more entertaining, while I'm being taught something. I'm sure if classes where taught like this, people would probably pay more attention.
that was awesome. explicitly said what we all thought to make it mutual knowledge.
Wow that was incredibly deep,I never realised that language had such profound implications.
I can't get enough of these videos,,,,,,keep up the good work.
Steven Pinker is brilliant, along with other Science Network contributors!
Outstanding presentation and analysis
I was waiting for a Pinker video! Thanks!
Intriguing talks and one of the best RSAnimate animations! The letters in the palace squares was ingenious, the etchings, Gok Wan (LOL!)
I don't know why you would do that tbh. It just opens up the potential for an unfavourable interaction unnecessarily. The point of this kind of communication is to check something while preserving the relationship type if the attempt fails. Not to check something and destroy the relationship if it fails.
If I have to be fake with someone to that degree, who needs them anyway
These talks + videos brighten and excite my day. Gives me so much to think about. Thank you!
Pinker is an artist with words
I wish there was a 'really like' button.
You just pressed it.
Lol nice illustration to overstatement which the speaker mentioned in the beginning of the video, & devaluation of words in particular adjectives and phrases of politeness :)
Very nice, as part of Intro to Psychology we're learning about human language; this video nicely built on some of the areas of language we didn't delve into!
these videos are absolutely amazing, seriously blown away.
Wow, no wonder this is so popular. You've combined good art with good speeches about science!
These are so awesome, everyone should watch.
I learned so much in such a short period of time..
These videos are some of the most creative, informative and awesome videos I've ever seen lol
Got to love Gok Wan in the background in the Emperor's New Clothes sketch!
I think another reason why people do this is that they know, deep down, that they are being unreasonable. Eg I had friends in the past who would provide advice and support, for which I was grateful, but my gratitude went to their heads and they began to think of themselves as mentor/saviour figures and they gave me unsolicited advice. If I managed to solve a problem or make a decision on my own, they would get offended that I didn’t want or need their advice. Their advice had been more about their egos than genuinely about helping me, and they knew it, so they would huff and puff rather than tell me directly that they were upset or why.
this video brought me to tears. keep up the good content
This is (thank you, Steven Pinker) awesome.
Splendid!
Amazing....simply amazing...there, direct and mutual. x
Love the RSA videos and the beautiful visuals that elegantly illustrate complex ideas. Awesome!
8:00 speaks directly about the situation in egypt as we speak
If only the US media would properly perform its duty as a reporter of events!! Earlier today, I was reflecting on the crowds that demonstrated in 2004 at the convention in New York. Crowd estimates ranged up to 800,000. Upwards of 1800 were illegally arrested and held, yet there was no sense in the general media about what was going on or its scale, much less what the demonstrators' message was.
I loved this. I don't think I've ever subscribed o a channel based on a single video before. Hope to see more like this!
This is amazing!!! It was like a drug watching it. Thanks! :)
@Diddmund HI, thanks for the comment. I do think most of the vid was about personality types - some types just dont engage in the levels of silliness that were described. For instance, upper caste Indians (mostly I am talking about Hindus) will not all treat lower castes disdainfully though the caste relationship exists. a lot of lower caste Hindus allow themselves to be mistreated, but those with stronger natures (type) will take a stand or opt-out. Now there are some dalit millionaires.
So, let's see if I understand this:
Indirect speech is an invitation that the other party is free to turn down.
However, it only works best when everyone is on the same page about it,
without having to have it explained to them.
In contrast,
direct speech commits everyone
regardless of whether they felt ready or not.
Also,
awareness of the boundaries and expectations
of a particular relationship
(family + friends,
work,
or transactional business)
can actually change the social "arena"
(the rules)
which we are expected to operate within.
That was interesting! It makes sense though! How we use innuendos to make us feel comfortable and act as a buffer preventing us from knowing the objective truth of a situation! I always thought we made them because we humans are clever and sly people xD
I learn more from these videos than I do from school.
The part that I still struggle with is why some people continue to insist that the obvious innuendo really was a genuine statement after they’ve been called out and bend over backwards to make it sound plausible.
E.g. suppose Harry asks Sally out on a date. Sally is not interested. So she says she’s “washing her hair” or something equally implausible. Harry, who wasn’t born yesterday, (accurately) suspects that this is just an excuse, so he says “look, if you’d rather not go out with me then that’s fine, but I’d rather you were just direct and honest about it.” Sally then feigns offence at the suggestion that she’s being dishonest and insists that she really does have to wash her hair at the exact time Harry proposed for the date because of some rare medical condition. Harry feels bad, apologises and asks her out on another date about a week later. Sally says “sorry I’m washing my hair again” and complains to her friends that Harry won’t get the message and leave her alone.
Surely all of this is more awkward than it would have been if Sally had just said no in the first place? Perhaps it’s a double bind because being direct now means admitting that she lied?
That was a very interesting video. I love listening to people talk about the complexity of language :)
James Shuler you don’t say. *wink wink*
we all do this, but to have it deconstructed and presented in as simply makes it less "glamorous". I find that with most things once you analyze/study/understand something it becomes less interesting (in some cases more interesting) but there isn't that spark of curiosity anymore.
I totally lost track of the great lecture staring at these fantastic drawings. I mean, how fast does this guy sketch?! :)
@crazyteamcrew Print of our posters are available from our external animation partner Cognitive Media's website :)
wow.. that was pretty awesome actually
Interesting era we are living where Mutual Knowledge spreads faster and easier... I wish people wasted less time on the Internet looking for entertainment and more on self improvement.
This is brilliant, I love it!
Once again - excellent work!
I've missed these kind of videos
Another good RSA Animate! - Kudos!
Why is this not in my sub box!!! That's why it's good when you guys have a Facebook page too.
The types of communication listed starting at 4:00 have their basis in moral reasoning and personality; which is the shifting of moral reasoning when potential has not been achieved.
Dominance comes from preconventional reasoning.
Reciprocity comes from conventional moral reasoning.
Kinship is a manifestation of post conventional moral reasoning in communication.
Of particular import is the communication of those of universal ethics - which tends towards kinship for obvious reasons.
@hasuhana lol thanks I just saw it! it's all about the confidence! also love what del boy says!
Thank you!
I love these... more....more!
thx a lot for posting this.
these are so brilliant and enlightening. definitely makes my day whenever you guys post one of these.
Very intriguing, excellent presentation!
Beautiful!
Wonderful, mind-blowing stuff
the ending was good
dude you are awesome, i love these videos keep it up. (and the discussion here sounds interesting, love it)
i really liked this one , learnt alot - thanks !
Amazing video and presentation as always, glad I subscribed
Guacamole illustration was awesome.
amazing as always