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You're an idiot, but it's ok because we are all idiots!
While it is impossible to know everything, we don't want to be ignorant to important things.
So how do we become less ignorant in a world full of conflicting, complex information?
We have to dive beyond the facts to understand the truth and apply the wisdom.
Wisdom is the experience of years so learning faster saves us years of learning.
The first hurdle is our lack of depth so we need to learn why facts aren't truth.
I don't know every fact, but I try to be honest and the truth does hurt.
What doesn't kill us, makes us stronger and you're in a safe space.
I am giving you a free look into my mind and why I frequently feel like an idiot.
We are all always learning so let's learn to be idiots less often!
Why are people ignorant?
People say ignorance is bliss.
They also say the truth hurts.
So I suppose people prefer ignorance and bliss over truth and pain.
People don’t like being considered ignorant.
I can also agree with that.
It is probably our subconscious protecting us.
Most people seem open to conversation and new information.
Well, I don’t think so.
People go crazy when I present my facts!
Well, you’re starting out all wrong.
I think we’re ALL idiots because “facts” are confusing.
To me, “facts” are just the beginning of understanding.
Your “facts” and their “facts” could both be true.
You only get to the “truth” by understanding the context.
Then you can compare some “facts”.
What? What other information am I supposed to give?
How do you know your facts are new to them?
They don’t agree with me!
So the only answer is… they are ignorant?
Exactly!
Aren't we all ignorant until we actually understand?
That's fair. I guess it seems like people aren't trying to understand.
I can agree with that!
Understanding is hard though
So I wouldn't say people aren't trying.
I think people just don't ask enough questions
So they get stuck on facts or truths.
What? I thought facts and truth were what we were trying to understand.
I would say that is a misunderstanding of facts and truth.
To me, facts answer "what?" questions.
They can provide evidence or context, but not reason.
They are who, what, when, and where questions.
Truth gets one layer deeper with answers to "why?"
They provide reasons for facts, but not how to apply them.
Wisdom gets to the application layer with answers to "how?"
With those answers, you understand how context and reason apply in the world.
Many people learn facts, but there are two more layers to dive before we understand.
| What (W) | Why (Y) | How (H) |
| What/Who/Where/When | Why | How |
| Facts | Truth | Wisdom |
| Context | Reason | Experience |
Hmmm... I don't "understand" "why" this matters?
I'm glad you asked!
When you don't know why or how, it is easy to get confused.
Let's look at some examples…
One parent told me that a study showed the ideal number of toys for a child.
I asked the person “how would they study that?”
They did not know.
The reality is there are an infinite number of variables involved.
More or less toys are less important than you interacting with your child.
So how much does the number of toys really matter?
Debatable.
A fitness expert told me a study showed 12 minutes is the ideal time for a cold plunge.
I asked the person “how would they study that?”
They did not know.
The same reality as before exists where studies claim to prove things they can’t prove.
They did not test people cold plunging at every minute mark.
There are simply too many variables involved.
These may not seem important so let’s take something serious.
Depression.
A psychologist told me they had proven the brain causes depression.
I asked “how did they do that?”
They did not know.
The reality is they have not proven that the brain causes depression.
Even Harvard in 2022 said it wasn’t solely from brain chemicals.
So a parent, a fitness expert, and a psychologist were wrong.
Wrong about things they were experts in because they didn’t dive deep enough.
How many things do you wonder if you’re wrong about now?
It's not that any of this research is wrong.
We just can't say it is right either.
Have you actually questioned your facts and truths?
Well, what happens if I don’t?
Take me as an example.
I have looked like an idiot many times
Often, I have been ignorant or naive.
I used to think the media was honest.
And technically, that can depend on your definition of lying.
The truth is they have incentives to make money.
It takes money to make money so you need to suck up to people with money.
You also won’t upset those people because you want to keep getting it.
This has led to bad reporting for decades and recently on Iraq, Ukraine, and Covid.
They focus on providing “facts” but stay at the surface.
They need to hide the truth to keep their money coming in.
For years, I had alienated many people because I had different facts than them.
Maybe neither of us had “the truth” but we certainly might have acted like we did.
And that’s the arrogance blinding us!
I thought I knew because most people around me also agreed with me.
I had put myself in this echo chamber with my confirmation bias.
Then, I truly was awakened by the news coverage about Andrew Yang.
He had unique ideas so I thought the media would dive deeper.
Unfortunately, the mainstream didn’t seem to cover him so I explored.
I found coverage on a YouTube show called “Rising with Krystal and Saagar”
They got me to ask a question I hadn’t… “Why?”
Why would the media not cover Andrew Yang if his ideas are worth discussing?
The answer became more obvious over time.
Everyone was in their own echo chambers with confirmation bias.
The only catch is… people need to please and not upset people with money.
The truth is… people use facts to hide the truth for money.
While I was confused, I had damaged more relationships than I can count.
I was wrong and maybe sometimes they were too, but I was wrong.
I began questioning a lot more and found I had been wrong a lot more often.
My sibling was even honest enough to tell me “you were an asshole”
Burnnnnnn!... I hope you’re not now!
I actually think it is hard to not be for most people.
It just depends on the audience.
A saint to one may be a devil to another.
I am not saying people should be assholes or idiots.
I just believe we do it naturally by getting confused about facts.
Let’s look at an example…
A different sibling said that older people are more closed-minded.
Older people are wiser because they have applied more truth and facts.
Because they have seen some results, they may not feel they need new information.
New facts may change truths and wisdom so older people shouldn’t assume.
At the same time, younger people haven’t had the ability to apply lessons.
So they believe they know more than they actually do.
They need to stop assuming older people don’t understand.
They should ask older people to explain “why” and “how”
This helps younger people become wiser while they are young.
It also teaches them which new facts are actually relevant to the older people.
Soooo older or younger, expert or novice, left or right…
We are ALL idiots!
Well, I guess I just won’t pick a side on anything then.
Ha ha!
I don’t think you can pick where you are.
We all have experiences that shape our unique perspectives.
When you’re dealing with a toddler, you’re probably older.
It is hard to understand a toddler, but that doesn’t mean they’re always wrong.
You didn’t pick a side, but you may struggle not to be an idiot or asshole.
A more common occurrence might be you at work.
You have done your job well the way you do it.
When a new person recommends a change, you likely resist and deprioritize.
You are the expert trying not to take in new information.
If you understand why the change is recommended, then maybe you improve it.
In both situations, you simply exist and the world puts you on the side.
You have to choose how to react and are probably leaning towards idiot or asshole.
It’s totally ok. As I said, I have done this myself a lot!
Alright, alright… So what am I supposed to do then?
First, recognize you’re bound to be an idiot.
Next, question your own assumptions.
I recommend embracing disagreement.
This prevents some future misunderstandings.
Finally, when you want to dismiss an idea, understand it first.
Maybe you ask questions, research, or experience.
No matter the case, try to explain why and how.
If you can do that, you should know enough.
Then again, many things change so keep an open mind.
For help, you can try 2 worksheets in the Apply It area of the blog.
I appreciate you for taking the time to dive into my mind!
Thank you and I wish you a less ignorant life ahead!
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