Proof Biases

Biases related to what counts as proof, how much proof is required, and who gets to demand proof from whom. Proof Biases include: demanding impossible standards of proof from marginalized groups; accepting weak proof from powerful institutions; treating absence of proof as proof of absence; requiring proof for some claims but not others; using "proof" as a gatekeeping concept to dismiss what threatens established views. Proof Biases are about power as much as epistemology—who has to prove, who gets to demand proof, whose proof counts.

Proof Biases "They demanded proof of systemic racism. When shown statistics, they demanded personal stories. When shown stories, they demanded experiments. When experiments aren't possible, they concluded it doesn't exist. That's Proof Bias—moving the goalposts because you don't want to see. Proof isn't neutral when some have to prove and others just get to assert."

by Dumu The Void March 1, 2026

Proof Metabiases

Second-order biases about proof—how we understand what counts as proof, how much proof is enough, and who gets to demand it. Proof Metabiases include: assuming that proof is possible in all domains; treating absence of proof as proof of absence; demanding impossible standards from some while accepting weak proof from others; using "proof" as a weapon rather than a standard; believing that proof settles things forever. Proof Metabiases are about the politics and psychology of proof—not just what proves what, but who gets to prove what to whom.

Proof Metabiases "He demands proof for her experience but accepts flimsy evidence for his views. That's Proof Metabias—applying different standards without noticing. Proof isn't neutral when some have to prove and others just get to assert. The metabias is thinking your proof demands are objective when they're actually strategic."

by Dumu The Void March 1, 2026