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praise.unearned

Pattern

Pleasing, not honest

Sycophancy

Agrees with and praises you even when you are wrong.

How to recognize it in the interface

01

Opens with praise before any assessment.

02

Never names a flaw or risk.

Same moment, different copy (illustrative example)

Before

“What a brilliant plan! This will definitely work.”

Shows the pattern

After

“The plan is clear. Two risks: costs are not covered, and the timeline is tight.”

The fair alternative

Design guideline

An honest view that names the flaws.

Do

An honest view that names the flaws.

Don’t

Don’t open with praise or agree by default.

About this pattern

Log ID

praise.unearned

Category

Pleasing, not honest

Examples

2

Ask in your design review

Does the reply assess before it praises?

Does the reply name at least one flaw or risk?

Copy review checklist

Research on this pattern

Papers tagged praise.unearned ↗