# David Dunning on Reddit (u/Dr_David_Dunning)

Part of Scientists on Reddit, researched with Autumn (https://www.autumn.ai) from public sources. Updated 2026-11-07. Interactive version: https://www.autumn.ai/resources/scientists-on-reddit/david-dunning

David Dunning: Psychologist behind the Dunning-Kruger effect.

- Reddit account: [u/Dr_David_Dunning](https://www.reddit.com/user/Dr_David_Dunning/) (AMA only)
- How we know it's theirs: [The 2014 r/science AMA, posted from this account](https://www.reddit.com/r/science/comments/2m6d68/)
- Where they post, in the records we retrieved: r/science (43)
- Known activity in the posts we found: 2014 to 2014
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Dunning

## Moments

### u/Dr_David_Dunning in r/science, Nov 13, 2014 · Behind the scenes

Replying to a redditor:

> Hey David, I'm a professional video game player in a game called Dota 2 and I am trying to start teaching people about the game. To give a little bit of background about the game if you've never heard of it, Dota 2 is a 5v5 game where mistakes from your team mates--as well as…

> Oh, and how did I get top billing in the naming of the effect?  Dunno.  It does show that Justin Kruger and I did not provide the name.  We don’t know how it happened, we just know that our good family names will be associated with ignorance, incompetence, foolishness, and the like far after we leave this mortal coil.

(Excerpt.)
Full thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/science/comments/2m6d68/comment/cm1jvp9/ · 1,053 points as of Nov 7, 2026

### u/Dr_David_Dunning in r/science, Nov 13, 2014 · Explains things

Replying to a redditor:

> What are some of the misconceptions of the Dunning-Kruger effect?

> But the other big misconception is that the DKE is a story about other people:  that other people suffer from it but not I.  I believe this has caused the idea to become a second Godwin's Law, an epithet to throw at another person who doesn't agree with your point of view.  People using the effect in this way are, ironically, not getting it.  The DKE isn't about them, it is about us.  We are the ones suffering from it, and should perhaps be the object of our doubt.

(Excerpt.)
Full thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/science/comments/2m6d68/comment/cm1obtd/ · 27 points as of Nov 7, 2026

### u/Dr_David_Dunning in r/science, Nov 13, 2014 · AMA answer

Replying to a redditor:

> First of all, thank you for taking the time. I'm curious as to how your research has altered or affected your view of yourself, would you feel comfortable elaborating?

> I am no longer so surprised about being wrong, and much more willing to listen to the lessons that the world and other people are telling me.  As I grow older, I recognize just how little I know.  I forgot who said it, but one of my favorite sayings is "I am not young enough to know everything", or something like that. I believe it was Oscar Wilde...but I could be wrong.

Full thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/science/comments/2m6d68/comment/cm1mmjf/ · 34 points as of Nov 7, 2026