Metadata is data about data.
An example could be some kind of data like a text message that you send to a friend. Then there’s all the data about that data. When did you send it? How long has it been since the last text? Where were you when you sent it? What cell provider are you using to send it?
Metahumor is joking about jokes.
They often play with the structure of comedy itself. My favorite (albeit bleak) example of this is joke.
Knock knock. Who's there? 9/11. 9/11 who? You said you'd never forget.
Like I said. Bleak. BUT, it’s a glorious example of a joke that knows it’s a joke and plays with the self aware nature of its existence.
Metacognition is thinking about thinking.
This is one of the most powerful abilities you can cultivate.
Most people run on autopilot. Their entire day, week, life is spent running mindless programming without any self awareness or consideration about the quality of ideas that they are entertaining.
It’s like they’re never aware of the patterns they’re involved in.
“Why did you do that?”
“I don’t know. Seemed like the right thing to do?”
That’s the best guess that their brain handed them when they thought, “Quick! I need a reason for whatever it was I was just doing!”
“The first principle is that you must not fool yourself, and you are the easiest person to fool.”
Richard Feynman, talking about MetaFight Club
Few people ever thinking about their thoughts, but it’s an essential first step to unlocking the incredible power of your mind’s potential.