On this website, many people are afraid to admit their ignorance. Ignorance, like narrow-mindedness, has become a negative word that continues to be thrown around pejoratively. Earlier this week one person refused to be called "ignorant," preferring a word that means pretty much the same thing but without the negative connotation: "uninformed." The truth is, being ignorant is not that bad. Admitting your ignorance is the first step to being progressive. When you realize that you're ignorant, you're only too eager to educate yourself on a certain issue. So the next time you find yourself not knowing the answer, simply say this: I don't know. See? Ignorance is progressive!
Our true enemy is not really ignorance. Rather, it's arrogance. I don't know if anyone else has noticed, but slowly but surely arrogance has crept its way into ProgressiveU, possessing the spirit of the otherwise open-minded and progressive students. Arrogance results from the assumption that one, unlike everyone else, was born omniscient and needs no further enlightenment. God Himself will bow down to him/her upon discovering that He is, alas, intellectually inferior to him/her. Even if you don't believe that God exists, don't let this happen to you. Arrogance has proved to turn off a lot of people. Sure, arrogance is bliss, but until you find the key to immortality, stay on earth and humble yourself. Listen to people who don't always agree to you! Don't be afraid to ask if you don't know! Don't be afraid to flaunt your ignorance!
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Sort of related. This reminded me of something. Sometimes I see people ask a question, and the questionee gives them this "Are you an idiot?" look and proceeds to answer really rudely.
I wish people would realize how stupid that sort of behavior is. It makes the questioner feel belittled and probably more than a little annoyed (how can anyone be expected to know -everything-?)and presents the questionee as an arrogant pillock.
When I was a kid, I loved the book Harriet the Spy. The title character, Harriet, never felt abashed at having to ask about something that she knew nothing about; she felt that if she didn't know, all she had to do was ask and find out.
The way you learn is by asking questions. So if you never get over your fear of sounding stupid, your always going to be...stupid
This ties right in with there's no such thing as a stupid question. I totally agree that the only way to learn something is to ask about it. Don't be afraid to find out about something you don't understand.
*~Heidi~*
Thank you for posting this blog! I was starting to get a little burnt out on this site. I adore reading educated articles and like to think that I can post some good ones too. Anyway, most of the time- I see good critical thinking thrown out when rude, ignorant comments are made, in retaliation the person who posted the blog attacks the person who made the comment and so goes the virtual arguement. I am very ignorant in a lot of ways- ignorant means "lack of knowledge"- I mean really- I've never met anyone who knew everything about everything!!
Peace n Bike Grease~Sara
Thank you for posting this, you get five gold stars. A member of this site actually told me to leave their blog and to stop commenting because I disagreed with their point of view; since I didn't want to cause any more contention (if that's what's caused when one disagrees) I could do nothing but comply to that member's request. I'll keep that experience in mind, as well as this post in mind, when receiving comments on my blog that I don't particularly agree with. Thanks again, more people should definitely read this!
There is no stupid question. Everyone should feel comfortable asking something without being put down. We're all here to share our opinions and learn about the opinions of the world. By being ignorant to things, we are able to learn about it from others, and that should connect us more.
The positive responses make me warm and fuzzy inside. I feel like I've just inspired the world. Maybe I have.
"For every animal you don't eat, I eat three."
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance" by Confucious. We would all do good to remember that. Great post. I agree with what everyone has said. I also think that a lot of this ignorance has to do with some of our lack of open-mindedness on some issues. When we talk about general topics(ok their are not that many of those), we all seek the learn. But it seems like some people who talk about religion, sexual orientation, etc. have these ideas imprinted on their mind and can't use common sense and go beyond what they've been taught or what their personal preference is.
I fear no man(Nazgul)...i'm no man(Eowyn) -LoTR
I agree that ignorance is not a bad thing though I believe that it IS bad if you refuse to admit that you are.