New Findings Confirm Our Experience:
We Make Fine Painting Look Easier Than It Is
The Painter’s Rag:
Monthly Wit And Wisdom
From Your Friendly And Professional Fine Painting Company
You’re probably already aware of this, but there’s an exciting new scientific theory (“new,” because this is its first appearance in The Painter’s Rag) which is based on findings about how people view their own skill level.
Discovered by two professors named David Dunning and Justin Kruger, the theory is called the “Dunning Kruger Effect” (for some reason), and it’s described by these egghe- er, professors as a “hypothetical cognitive bias.”
Blah blah blah, bunch of scientific and psycho-mo-logical stuff… but the relevant finding states that, according to the Dunning Kruger Effect, people with low skill levels tend to overestimate their skill.
(Profs. Dunning and Kruger might’ve considered naming their study “The ‘How Hard Could It Be?’ Effect,” but discarded that label in favor of one that probably better helped them gain tenure or promotion. Just guessing.)
Anyway, these findings should not come as a shock to anyone who’s ever had a boss, a spouse, an employee, or a teenager, as the Dunning Kruger Effect is thought (by me) to apply to MOST bosses, spouses (spice?), employees, and teenagers. Not all, but most.
The finding also applies to ALMOST ALL Chucks In Trucks, Dans In Vans, and aspiring Do-It-Yourselfers of all ages, vehicles, and personality types.
We’ve confirmed the findings: People in these latter categories do seem to approach projects like painting with that devil-may-care, “how hard could it be” attitude.
Having painted something ONCE, sort-of, Chucks and Dans and DIYers tend to think they know how to paint as well as anybody does. But this, of course, is a gross overestimation of their skill.
They also tend to overcharge. Often grossly.
And the whole thing is just gross, because due to this occurrence of the Dunning Kruger Effect, many a house or office has been painted so poorly that it became more of a modern art project (and not a good one) than a property.
Or maybe an 8th-grade science project gone horribly wrong.
Gross!
Rest easy, though: The Dunning Kruger Effect does NOT apply to the highly-skilled and distractingly-attractive members of the Imhoff Fine Painting Company painting family.
Our fine painters are rigorously trained and highly experienced in the art and science of fine residential painting projects.
So whether you need the whole house spruced-up for the holidays… or some exterior or interior staining or touch-ups… or even a concrete surface refinishing!… you’re in safe hands with the Imhoff painting family.
Our stellar five-star online reviews are just a click or two away! And your beautiful new home, with a fresh coat of love only FINE painters can administer, is as close as your phone.
Scientists may one day discover this amazing truth. I hope they name it “The Imhoff Effect.”
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Discussion Questions
- Have you ever been grossed-out by an 8th grade science project, a modern artwork, or a terrifying paint job?
- Do you think Dunning Kruger would be a good name for a football player, a violinist, or perhaps a salad dressing? If not, what WOULD Dunning Kruger be a good name for?
- Is it time to spruce up your property without risking an embarrassing outcome by assigning the project to someone who overestimates their skill?
Send your answers to doug@imhoffpaintingcompany.com
(* Prize is at the sole discretion of Doug Imhoff, his heirs and assigns, Profs. Dunning and Kruger where available and/or authorized, and the first person we meet who can challenge the professors’ findings mathematically without removing their shoes. Profs. Dunning and Kruger probably don’t like their shoes removed by random contest entrants. This month’s grand prize will be awarded, as far as you know. No deadline, but some of the more eager students are already lining up for office hours, so if I were you, I’d get my entry in right away. Offer void where painted over. Boring, lackluster, or unimaginative entries will be forced to sit through multiple lectures by certain professors of psychology who wish to remain anonymous at this time. So do your best work! Good luck.)
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Don’t forget: With Imhoff Fine Residential Painting, you always get more than a high-quality paint job… you get an enjoyable experience we hope you’ll treasure. We’re passionate about our customers and their properties… we’re a “painting family,” and we treat your project like family, too! Check us out online. We have the feeling opposite of “grossed out,” whatever you’d call that feeling, when we read the many enthusiastic five-star reviews our clients have shared on Google, Yelp, and elsewhere. And we can’t wait to earn our next outstanding review from you!
Know anybody who could use a smile… or perhaps a GREAT painting experience?
Please forward The Painter’s Rag their way!