Comment by dnzg66 on Beware the Unsurprised · 2025-01-07T17:03:09.129Z · LW · GW

I came across this after a friend expressed a lack of surprise at a recent report that far right militias were collaborating with law enforcement and the Attorney General of a state.

I wondered how in the world a seemingly otherwise intelligent person could act so unsurprised at news that even the most politically savvy person would find shocking.

I think you are entirely correct.  On the one hand, people tend to act unsurprised because they think it makes them seem more competent.  If nothing fazes you, then you must have the correct and best viewpoint on the world.

And, on the other hand, people tend to act unsurprised because it allows them to pretend to stand apart from a development or event that should be extremely concerning to them.  There's a common idea out there that rational thought and action means expressing no emotion at all.  I consider that to be a pretty strong fallacy.

Very well written.