About:
THE
HACK
THE HACK champions the idea that everyone has their own unique ability to discern knowledge and truth. After years of rigorous scientific research, The Hack discovered 18 different epistemic filters—or knowledge filters—which shape how individuals process information and perceive reality.
As such, knowing your type can support mental health by easing the unreasonable expectations we often impose on ourselves. Society constantly bombards us with messages about how we should think, act, or be. When these prescribed methods don’t align with our natural tendencies, we may feel as though something is inherently wrong with us. This cycle of self-doubt and the pressure of "not being enough" can take a toll on mental well-being.
However, once you understand how your knowledge filter works, it becomes simple to self-filter societal messages. You’ll know which messages are meant for you and can release yourself from the obligation of those that aren’t.
How Do We Know These Filters Exist?
Imagine this: we’re sitting in a restaurant at a lunch meeting. As we’re wrapping up, a couple sits down at the neighboring table and begins to argue. We can’t help but overhear them, and as the argument unfolds, we each start forming our own stories about who is right, who is wrong, and what they should do about it. Just for fun, we compare notes on our way out and realize our perspectives on the conflict are completely different.
If you think about this as a scientist, it’s bizarre. We were in the same place, at the same time, receiving the exact same data. So how did we end up with such different perspectives?
Our varying perspectives are evidence that we filtered the incoming knowledge differently. These filters shape our perspectives and influence the actions we’d take based on that knowledge.
Bringing this back to the workplace, differing knowledge filters are constantly at play. We share knowledge that seems crystal clear to us, expecting specific actions to follow. Yet, others often interpret the meaning differently, leading to unintended actions, conflicts, and disrupted productivity. Left unchecked, this can contribute to a toxic workplace culture.
With THE HACK, this type of conflict becomes predictable and preventable, helping your team increase productivity and elevate workplace functionality.
How Do These Filters Work?
The scientific term for a knowledge filter is epistemic filter. The word "epistemic" is derived from Epistemology—the study of where knowledge comes from and the process of confirming that we indeed know something.
THE HACK has identified 18 different epistemic or knowledge filters and mapped the compatibility relationships between them in a practical way. Each filter has a unique way of interpreting reality, which you’ll uncover when you take the Culture Compatibility Test. Here’s how it works in general:
Knowledge Comes In: Information enters your awareness.
Filtering: The knowledge passes through your epistemic filter - or knowledge filter.
Action: A predictable action or perspective emerges on the other side.
Since most people have the same knowledge filter throughout their entire life, it becomes possible to predict their long-term behavior. Conversely, by carefully observing someone’s behavior patterns, you can reverse engineer their actions to identify the knowledge filter that originally caused them.
What Differentiates the filters?
There are two primary kinds of knowledge: explicit and tacit. Think of knowledge as an iceberg:
Explicit Knowledge: The visible part of the iceberg includes the kind of knowledge you’d find in a Word document, PowerPoint, or Excel spreadsheet. It’s obvious, easy to share, and methods for interpreting this knowledge tend to be consistent and rule-based.
Tacit Knowledge: This is the submerged part of the iceberg. It’s hidden, non-obvious, often unspoken, and difficult to share. And methods for interpretation vary widely from person to person.
The key differentiator between knowledge filters lies in how they prioritize explicit versus tacit knowledge. Some filters heavily prioritize explicit knowledge while some prioritize tacit knowledge, and others are a unique mix of both.
Who Is The Hack For?
THE HACK is for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of themselves and others. Whether you’re an individual looking to improve your mental well-being, a leader striving to create a more cohesive and productive team, or an organization aiming to foster a healthier workplace culture, The Hack offers valuable insights backed by years of rigorous scientific research.
What sets THE HACK apart is its unique focus on compatibility. By mapping the relationships between the 18 different knowledge filters, THE HACK is uniquely positioned to support individuals and teams understand their own process for creating meaning from the world around them, but also how to better understand and interact with others who do it differently. This practical, compatibility-driven method reduces conflict, enhances collaboration, and aligns efforts toward shared goals.
THE HACK is setting THE standard for how work gets done in organizational dynamics and workplace culture. By applying these groundbreaking insights, organizations can create environments where communication flows seamlessly, strengths are maximized, and workplace culture maximizes results.
Individuals: Learn how to filter societal messages and align your actions with your natural tendencies, reducing stress and enhancing personal growth.
Teams: Understand the diverse knowledge filters within your group to prevent miscommunication, reduce conflict, and improve collaboration.
Organizations: Build a workplace culture that leverages the strengths of each team member by aligning actions and expectations with compatible knowledge filters.
No matter where you are in life, THE HACK can help you unlock your potential and navigate the world with greater clarity.