StarTalk Radio What Everyone Knows You Know with Steven Pinker
52 snips
Jan 23, 2026 
Cognitive psychologist Steven Pinker explores the intriguing concept of common knowledge and how it binds society together. He dives into examples like urban navigation and trust in currency, illustrating how public awareness enables coordination. Pinker discusses the implications of veiled communication in relationships and the dynamics of social norms. He also examines the consequences of fragmented media on civic discourse, advocating for civil disagreement to mend our polarized society. A fascinating journey into the depths of human interactions!
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Lost Couple Example
- Thomas Schelling's lost-in-Manhattan example shows that private guesses fail without common knowledge.
- Only a public, salient signal (like a simultaneous sighting) reliably coordinates two lost people.
Euphemism Preserves Relationships
- People avoid making things common knowledge via euphemism and innuendo to preserve relationships and plausible deniability.
- Pinker links indirect language to the need to hide intentions from public scrutiny.
Veil Transactions To Save Face
- Use veiled language when you want to avoid converting a deference relationship into a transactional one.
- Hold back explicit offers to preserve social roles and save face for both parties.
