Illegal Snap, Motion?

[Ed Hickland]

Originally Posted by ajmc

How this learning/teaching thing seems to works best is when someone realizes they don't know enough about something, the smart ones seek advice from someone they believe is smarter. That person can then share their knowledge, if they're sure what they know is correct.

If they're not sure, they can either fake an answer, or seek advise from someone they think may have more knowledge and then share what they learn with the original questioner. This way at least two people have increased their knowledge, and everybody is better off.

People who are ignorant, simply don't know something, and there are things everyone is ignorant about. When someone asks you for information, they're acknowledging they think you are smarter than them about the subject. If you know the answer you can demonstrate how smart you are, and if you aren't sure you can demonstrate your wisdom in choosing to find out before you provide an answer. Either way you look good and raise the general knowledge level.

Stupid people, on the other hand, discount their ignorance and blast ahead without seeking advice. The choice we have is often between helping someone become more knowledgable, or ignoring them and watching them stay stupid, understanding you may have to deal with their stupidity again.

Huh!