Truth is stranger than fiction, but it is because Fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities; Truth isn’t. –Mark Twain
It bucks the tide of years of education, reinforced by decades of expertise-building. Yet, my trying to “get it right” often erodes the end I have in mind: wise insight supporting empowered action. The more I focus on figuring stuff out—especially when I might have to defend it—the less wise and impactful I am.
How Could that Be?
Did you read that subtitle as a challenging question, informed by a disbelieving position: “How could thatbe?” [No way!]
Or did it come to you from a place of wonder and curiosity: “How could that be?” [Wow! I can’t wait to find out!]
It’s not that learning has the aim of dumbing us down. There’s a kind of agenda-free discovery that builds wisdom.
Still, I find that “knowing stuff” often narrows my perspective, perhaps an unintentional result of a system that wants us to learn…but in fact rewards us for being right and embracing what’s widely accepted. Figuring-it-out-based “intelligence” can alienate those who are not already onboard. It defeats my purpose of wanting to “connect and enroll”—a dynamic, instead, of “comply and cajole.”
Or did it come to you from a place of wonder and curiosity: “How could that be?” [Wow! I can’t wait to find out!]
It’s not that learning has the aim of dumbing us down. There’s a kind of agenda-free discovery that builds wisdom.
Still, I find that “knowing stuff” often narrows my perspective, perhaps an unintentional result of a system that wants us to learn…but in fact rewards us for being right and embracing what’s widely accepted. Figuring-it-out-based “intelligence” can alienate those who are not already onboard. It defeats my purpose of wanting to “connect and enroll”—a dynamic, instead, of “comply and cajole.”
RSS Feed
