It’s a pity that those who have better knowledge and higher skills experience imposter syndrome when the dominant social, cultural or group discourse agrees with the imposition of “professional” monopoly by monopolists wishing to monetise their form of knowledge (to take a cynical view) or do-gooders wishing the best for everyone (to take a kinder view). A way out is for the imposter to refuse the dominant discourse and come up with the his/her own frame of reference as to qualification criteria for a certain set of knowledge and skills.
On another note, I like how you suggest the two factored set of criteria to make a preference between institutional learning and autodidacticism. One: what is at stake. Two: accessibility of the knowledge/skill. On the one hand, high stakes (Maslow basest survival level) and difficult accessibility could mean that institutional learning may be a superior learning mode. On the other hand, low stakes and easier accessibility means self-help may be superior. But I have assumed that a self motivated person would prefer autodidacticism over institutional learning. I suppose autodidacticism includes choosing or including institutional learning. I may have confounded motivation with the acquisition of knowledge/skills. This ambulation is probably fueled by a personal belief that I would prefer to be treated by or interact with a person on a subject matter in which that person is passionate about, rather than a person who is not really interested in the knowledge/skills per se, but as a means to make more money, or just going through the motions that that is what society, community or family requires.
Thank you for reading and for your thoughtful comment! I agree that there is a certain amount of being your own witness that helps to break free of imposter syndrome. Building confidence in the skills you are building is just as important as the skills themselves.
It’s a pity that those who have better knowledge and higher skills experience imposter syndrome when the dominant social, cultural or group discourse agrees with the imposition of “professional” monopoly by monopolists wishing to monetise their form of knowledge (to take a cynical view) or do-gooders wishing the best for everyone (to take a kinder view). A way out is for the imposter to refuse the dominant discourse and come up with the his/her own frame of reference as to qualification criteria for a certain set of knowledge and skills.
On another note, I like how you suggest the two factored set of criteria to make a preference between institutional learning and autodidacticism. One: what is at stake. Two: accessibility of the knowledge/skill. On the one hand, high stakes (Maslow basest survival level) and difficult accessibility could mean that institutional learning may be a superior learning mode. On the other hand, low stakes and easier accessibility means self-help may be superior. But I have assumed that a self motivated person would prefer autodidacticism over institutional learning. I suppose autodidacticism includes choosing or including institutional learning. I may have confounded motivation with the acquisition of knowledge/skills. This ambulation is probably fueled by a personal belief that I would prefer to be treated by or interact with a person on a subject matter in which that person is passionate about, rather than a person who is not really interested in the knowledge/skills per se, but as a means to make more money, or just going through the motions that that is what society, community or family requires.
Thank you for reading and for your thoughtful comment! I agree that there is a certain amount of being your own witness that helps to break free of imposter syndrome. Building confidence in the skills you are building is just as important as the skills themselves.
Honestly, this piece was the most relatable for me so far. No imposter, Noah. You are the real deal.
Thank you for reading! I’ve found that one of the biggest combatants to imposter syndrome is knowing you’re not alone in the feeling.
Well said. My first career was in cake decorating. Completely self taught. I loved it.
I’m sure there are many stories of people finding things they love and learning far more on their own than they would have institutionally.