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This thread about the curse of expertise is spectacular. Many high-performing experts struggle to explain their process. Meryl Streep has trouble even figuring out how she acts so well, let alone share her approach. This is an interesting perspective on teaching and advice.
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several months ago I looked up videos of Meryl Streep, trying to get a better model for "charismatic older woman" looking for quirks to mimic/steal this interview from 1998 was particularly interesting: youtube.com/watch?v=bdY3tg
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"Curse of expertise" seems like a negative framing of what is tacit knowledge built over a lifetime that is unable to be codified. This is when experiential stories and narratives become hugely valuable. I would to see her "talk through" her acting or share stories of scenes.
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when we were younger we would ask pro windsurfers how they did certain moves. they would say "lean forward, pull your front hand in" etc - generic advice they were so good they could just learn the move, they couldn't explain it at all
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And that’s what makes her so very special. What she does isn’t quantifiable & the essence of it can’t be taught. Someone could observe her for years & ask her hundreds of questions & still wouldn’t be able to create a syllabus to make more Meryls.
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Some say, if you can’t explain something in simple terms you don’t understand it. Perhaps there is some nuance around that statement.