He was speaking of course about how we speak about a topic that we know a lot about, but at the last minute add "I don't know" somewhere. It is as if we are avoiding committing ourselves to sharing the knowledge of a subject that we know much about. This stood out to me because I find myself doing it more often then not. I consider myself a well read person, and can speak well about any number of subjects that happen to pop up during conversation. Yet I do not commit myself to my knowledge. When a question is asked to me, and I know the answer, "I don't know" still finds itself in my sentence. I could be commenting on something that I read verbatim and yet I still would add that little blurb on the off chance that I might be wrong. It is not our fault that we add uncertainty into our sentences. It is the fault of an education system that strikes fear into those who get wrong answers, to the point that they feel its is better off not to answer the question on the off chance that they might get it wrong. I feel that if you add that you might not be right, and it turns out that your not, it is infinitely better in the long run. You still end up looking ignorant, but you already informed them that you might be wrong. No one counts how many right answers you give, but get one question or fact wrong and its joke fuel for weeks.
Knowledge is power. We as humans have a curiosity that is matched by no other species in that we want to know everything and work to find it out. Why then are we afraid to share our discoveries. To be rejoice in the fact that we know something that others might not be aware of. Why must I start a sentence of fact with "I'm not really sure" when I know exactly what I'm talking about. Ignorance is not bliss when the ignorance is a fabrication to hide the true knowledge of knowing more than those around you. Ignorance is nothing to laugh at especially when it is simply a lack of knowledge that is easily corrected. No longer will I start facts off with "I don't really know, but I think", I will be secure in my knowledge because I truly know what I'm talking about. Though there's always room to learn more. No longer do I invite you to share in my ignorance,
I invite you to share in my knowledge.
A like your blog entry, I also can admit to my use of uncertainty in language. Many times in class with fear of possibly being wrong I say things like, "I'm not sure, but maybe..". And although it seems like the norm to me, that video has also opened my eyes to the ignorance I should hold myself to in being afraid to express my thoughts or ideas. Because, how does admitting uncertainty help anyone express a point? In the end, it's up to us as individuals to sound educated and speak with certainty is the first way to go.
ReplyDeleteThe video definitely stood out to me as well. I liked that you mentioned that it may be the fault of our education system for creating a population who is unsure of their own knowledge. Reading your post made me think of what we discussed before, where Ancient Greece valued opinions highly, and now we value facts. I think maybe, since our culture values facts so much, we are all hesitant to be wrong. Just something to think about.
ReplyDeleteIn a way I agree. However, I also think that our communication skills are directly linked to our environment. I have attended numerous schools, and the level of rhetoric people used varried for each. I feel cultural pressure limits a person's full capabilities. No matter where we are in the world, we should strive to gain the most knowledge we can, as well as communicate it to others. Misery loves company, right? Well so does ignorance.
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