Igon Value Problem

"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.

Gladwell's "Blink" is basically a worthless book because of the Igon Value Problem.

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