Is an “open secret” mutual belief or common knowledge? 🤔
Feels like a fuzzy in between. (I know you know I know....N times)X(you know I know you know I know...N), where N is finite.
Like maybe N=3 in Hollywood around Weinstein?
plato.stanford.edu/entries/common
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simultaneous common knowledge of the fact and the norm that you are not supposed to speak about it
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I thought "everyone in the field knows, but does not discuss." Uncontroversial example, in car racing it is an open secret that the roof should be as light as possible. All know but don't discuss, e.g. no one would announce a new lighter roof on their car. Best to keep quiet...
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There was a huge church-sex scandal in my hometown growing up. Even I as an unconnected young kid knew about it before it finally blew up in the media. seems to be a common pattern in these kinds of affairs.
it's an interesting equilibrium for power dynamics - if ppl are convinced everyone else knows the secret through private channels, incentive to make public goes away (only disincentives left over)
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The Schrodinger's cat that the Emperor invites with his new clothes.




