Art Quote by Kevin Simler
““Thus discernment, artistic or otherwise, is a critical skill, and yet it can be something we take for granted, in part because we do it so effortlessly. Think about how rarely we’re impressed by truly unimpressive people. When it happens, we feel as though we’ve been taken in by a charlatan. It can even be embarrassing to demonstrate poor aesthetic judgment. We don’t want others to know that we’re inept at telling good art from bad, skilled artists from amateurs. This suggests that we evaluate each other not only for our first-order skills, but for our skills at evaluating the skills of others. Human social life is many layered indeed.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Social Animal, David Brooks, 2011
Discernment is a subtle skill we often overlook, yet it shapes how we judge both others and ourselves, especially in aesthetic contexts.
In simple terms: Judging others’ judgment is a hidden social skill.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate honest self‑assessment of taste.
Themes
social perception
judgment
artistic taste
self‑awareness
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
philosophical
observational
When to use this quote
- art critiques
- job interviews
- online reviews
- friendship circles
Key Concepts
metacognition
social hierarchy
cognitive bias
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you react when your taste is challenged?
- What social costs arise from pretending expertise?
A Different Perspective
People may hide poor taste to avoid embarrassment, limiting honest feedback.
