We All Started Dumb

One of the dumbest forms of criticism is to shout down an expert in one field who speaks up about something else. The actor with a political point of view, or the physicist who talks about philosophy. The theory is that people should stick to what they know and quietly sit by in all other situations.

Of course, at one point, we all knew nothing. The only way you ever know anything, in fact, is to speak up about it. Outline your argument, support it, listen, revise.

The byproduct of speaking up about what you don’t know is that you soon know more. And maybe, just maybe, the experts learn something from you and your process.

No one knows more about the way you think than you do. Applying that approach, combining your experience, taking a risk–this is what we need from you.

This commentary got me thinking.

And writing.

Somewhere, early in life, each of us were more or less equals.

2 and 3 years olds are dumb about so many things.  Economic Policy, Safety Regulations, How to Cook a Souffle.

Heck they’re just learning how to stop crapping their pants and use a toilet.

Learning is the key word.

We have all kinds of measuring sticks including the degrees you pay for by attending and graduating college, which serve as an entry to apply for particular jobs.

I have nothing against higher education.  I want my doctor, lawyer and financial folks to have the proper credentials.

But everyone of us need to stop being dumb about stuff.

Keep learning, keep following your passions.

Explore your curiosities, discover the world beyond your own.

We are only as dumb as we allow ourselves to be.