Hidden assumptions audit

Surface the unstated beliefs every source is building on — and which ones wouldn't survive scrutiny.

Category: Analysis · Best for: Researchers, strategists, contrarian thinkers

Prompt

Audit every source in this notebook for its hidden assumptions — the beliefs the author treats as obvious but never actually defends.

For each source:
1. List 3–5 load-bearing assumptions in plain language.
2. Mark each as Stated, Implied, or Smuggled (presented as fact without argument).
3. For each, describe what would have to be true in the world for the assumption to hold.
4. Flag any assumption that contradicts another source in the notebook.

End with a ranked list of the 5 assumptions that, if wrong, would most damage the overall picture these sources paint together. Explain the damage in one sentence each.

Do not invent assumptions. If a source is thin on hidden premises, say so.

Copy this prompt and paste it into Google NotebookLM to use it with your notebook sources.

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