Principlev1PR-1134
Deliberately separate the content of a recommendation…
Deliberately separate the content of a recommendation from characteristics of its source by asking whether you would find the recommendation compelling if it came from a low-status source, exposing when you are responding to peripheral cues rather than substantive merit.
Why This Is a Principle
This principle derives from observation-interpretation fusion (Automatic Fusion of Observation and Interpretation), automatic processing (Automaticity Without Conscious Control), and dual systems (Cognition Operates Through Dual Processing Systems). It prescribes a specific cognitive move—source-content separation—that forces System 2 evaluation and reveals automatic deference. It's actionable, general across contexts where you receive recommendations, and grounded in understanding how automatic processes bypass evaluation.