Looking Back - Conference with Vincent Delourmel – mnemonist
From Dubai to Abu Dhabi – the illusion of knowledge
As part of the ongoing partnership with APM - Association Progrès du Management, the second conference took place earlier this month in Dubai and in Abu Dhabi. Vincent Delourmel - a mnemonist and former illusionist - presented a second session titled "The illusion of knowledge: when our memory tells us stories."
He showed how human memory does not work like a perfect recorder. Instead, it constantly fills gaps, reconstructs events, and creates a false sense of mastery. The illusion of knowing more than one actually does, he argued, is a trap that affects judgment and decision‑making.
The OECD currently lists misinformation as the number one global danger. But the deeper takeaway from Vincent's intervention was this: in any complex environment – and especially in times of tension or rapid change – being careful with media messages is essential. No matter where one reads the news, the principle is the same: question the source, verify the information, and never assume that access equals truth.
Both sessions delivered the same concise reminder: critical thinking is not an option – it is a strategic skill. Read carefully. Check sources. And remember that memory alone can be deceiving.
