In a recent LinkedIn post, Dr. Rachna Jain explores the subtle yet crucial nature of editorial judgment, reframing the concept of ‘taste’ not as an innate talent or arbitrary preference, but as a form of highly refined, rapidly processed expertise.
Dr. Rachna Jain begins by describing a common experience for seasoned editors: the intuitive recognition that a piece of writing, while seemingly clear and sound, is ultimately incorrect or misplaced. This initial feeling can precede explicit reasoning, leading to a period of rereading to pinpoint the exact issue.
“Sometimes an experienced editor knows a piece is wrong before they know why. The writing may be clear. The argument may be sound. Nothing is obviously broken. And yet: this does not belong here.”
According to Dr. Rachna Jain, the reasons for this intuitive rejection can be varied. The piece might introduce a problematic distinction, weaken an established idea with its language, or simply be incoherent with the larger body of work, despite being competent in isolation. These insights challenge the common perception of taste as either a mysterious gift or a subjective whim.
Taste as Accumulated Judgment
Dr. Rachna Jain argues that what is often perceived as ‘taste’ can be understood as accumulated judgment operating at a speed that outpaces conscious, explicit reasoning. This accelerated judgment stems from repeated exposure to a particular domain, which hones an individual’s perception to a remarkable degree.
As Dr. Rachna Jain elaborates, this sustained engagement allows individuals to notice subtle relationships, inconsistencies, combinations, and deviations that would have been invisible to them earlier. Eventually, recognition can precede explanation, a phenomenon that underpins advanced expertise.
“But some forms of taste may be accumulated judgment operating faster than explicit reasoning. Repeated exposure creates finer perception. Over time, we notice relationships, inconsistencies, combinations, and deviations that we once could not see. Eventually, recognition can arrive before explanation.”
While acknowledging that this form of intuition is not infallible and experienced individuals can still err, Dr. Rachna Jain emphasizes its significance. The ability for judgment to become increasingly compressed through sustained attention is a hallmark of deep expertise. This is particularly relevant in fields where competent execution is becoming more accessible.
The Shifting Value in a Competent World
In an environment where many options are technically sound, Dr. Rachna Jain points out that value shifts towards the ability to discern which options are truly coherent, significant, and worthy of preservation. This is where the nuanced judgment, honed through experience, becomes paramount.
Dr. Rachna Jain suggests that these repeated acts of selection—choosing, rejecting, refining, and preserving—collectively shape the intellectual signature of a body of work. This process transforms raw competence into a distinct and recognizable contribution.
“When many options are technically good, value shifts toward recognizing which ones are coherent, significant, and worth preserving. Those repeated acts of selection become part of something recognizable. What we choose, reject, refine, and preserve gradually gives a body of work its intellectual signature.”
Ultimately, Dr. Rachna Jain’s analysis provides a compelling framework for understanding how expertise develops and manifests, particularly in fields requiring critical discernment and a deep understanding of context and coherence.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Dr. Rachna Jain on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on September 15, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →