That's not because journalists know more about Japan. It's because they knew less: they had the ability to sort through what they knew and find a pattern.
In the book "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell, the author explores the idea that sometimes a lack of extensive knowledge can lead to clearer insight. Journalists, when covering Japan, did not possess as much information as experts did, which allowed them to filter through their limited understanding and identify patterns more effectively. This suggests that over-analysis can sometimes cloud judgment and decision-making.
Gladwell emphasizes the value of intuition and the ability to make quick, informed decisions based on the information available. When people focus only on the most relevant details, they can often arrive at clearer conclusions than those overwhelmed by excessive data. This highlights the importance of instinctive thinking and the benefits of simplicity in cognitive processing.
