"the Igon Value Problem: when a writer’s education on a topic consists in interviewing an expert, he is apt to offer generalizations that are banal, obtuse or flat wrong" (Steven Pinker, NY Times 11/7/2009).
Pinker coined the term in his review of a Malcolm Gladwell book. Gladwell had quoted an expert speaking about an “igon value” -- the correct term is eigenvalue, a basic concept in linear algebra.
Pinker coined the term in his review of a Malcolm Gladwell book. Gladwell had quoted an expert speaking about an “igon value” -- the correct term is eigenvalue, a basic concept in linear algebra.
by JLG6000 November 18, 2009
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