RD BK X “It’s not what we know—but what we all know that shapes the world.”

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Got it! Here’s a 10-bullet gist/tagline summary of When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows framed in punchy, easy-to-remember points:

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1. Knowledge isn’t enough—shared awareness changes everything.

2. Coordination hinges on knowing that everyone else knows.

3. Social norms exist because everyone knows everyone sees them.

4. Hypocrisy often hides the fact that “everyone knows” already.

5. Outrage spreads fastest when everyone knows everyone knows.

6. Politics and diplomacy are games of mutual awareness.

7. Focal points guide collective behavior without explicit rules.

8. Online mobs thrive on common knowledge loops.

9. Cooperation succeeds when mutual understanding is clear.

10. Breaking common knowledge can reset social equilibrium.

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Perfect! Here are 5 illustrative anecdotes inspired by When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows, showing how common knowledge shapes human behavior:

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1. The Traffic Light Coordination

   • Imagine a busy intersection. The red light works not because drivers blindly trust it, but because everyone knows everyone else sees and obeys it. If a few drivers doubted that others would stop, chaos would ensue. Common knowledge keeps the city moving.

2. The Royal Wave

   • At a state ceremony, the monarch waves to dignitaries. It seems ceremonial, but it’s a perfect example of common knowledge: everyone knows everyone sees the wave, so everyone responds appropriately, reinforcing hierarchy and social order.

3. The Classroom Whisper

   • A teacher announces a surprise quiz. Students whisper to each other: “I think she’s serious.” Suddenly, the entire class behaves differently—everyone studies. The shift happens because everyone knows everyone knows about the quiz, even if the teacher never demanded it.

4. Financial Panic

   • In a bank run, a rumor spreads that a bank might fail. Depositors rush to withdraw money, not because the bank is insolvent, but because everyone knows everyone else is withdrawing, making it a self-fulfilling prophecy. Awareness of mutual knowledge triggers the crisis.

5. The Social Media Outrage Loop

   • Someone posts a controversial tweet. The outrage explodes when people see not just the post but the reactions of others, knowing that everyone else is seeing and reacting. Social pressure escalates because everyone knows everyone else knows—the outrage becomes contagious.

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Based on the provided article, here are five taglines summarizing the core gist:

• The Power of Shared Awareness: Pinker explores how "common knowledge"—knowing that everyone else knows—can be a transformative force capable of toppling authoritarian regimes.

• The Psychologist vs. The Pundit: The book is described as a mix of fascinating psychological research and controversial political commentary that some critics find "out of his depth".

• A Fairy Tale Illustration: The concept is rooted in the logic of The Emperor’s New Clothes, where a child turning private knowledge into public awareness changes everything.

• Critique of "Cancel Culture": Pinker argues that "cancel culture" acts as a form of censorship designed to prevent certain ideas from becoming common knowledge.

• One-Sided Arguments: Reviewer Michael Marshall laments that Pinker's political analysis is poor, focusing only on examples from the "liberal left" while ignoring similar actions from the right.

Would you like me to elaborate on the specific psychological "logic puzzles" mentioned in the text?