"Smart people learn from everything and everyone, average people from their experiences, stupid people already have all the answers"
- Socrates
Danger does not always result from bad intentions. Danger often comes from ignorance paired with confidence. When people act without understanding the consequences of their actions and refuse to question themselves, the results can be harmful not only to themselves but, also to other people, even if they originally believed they were doing the right thing.
Ignorance becomes especially dangerous when it is loud, influential, or placed in positions of power. I believe the police are a good example. All too often the media shows us examples of how dangerous the police can be. Consider how many police officers are reported as making decisions without correctly addressing the facts, they lack empathy or critical thinking, are quick to spread misinformation often turning people against each other to score a result, they reinforce prejudice and escalate matters that could otherwise be dealt with using common sense.
History and everyday life is full of examples where poor understanding has led to unnecessary harm.
The real problem is not a lack of intelligence alone; it is the refusal to learn. I am always amazed how someone barely out of school, adolescents with no real life experience or wisdom, are allowed to hold immense power capable of changing lives forever. I say adolescents because scientists recently discovered the human brain remains in adolescent state until the age of 30. This instant handover of authority and power appears to negate any real interest in their further learning. Once in uniform it often appears these people have an ego that says, "I am the police, therefore I am" and what follows is often miscarriages of justice, destruction of lives and general mob rule, they stick together like glue. I have always said I would rather place my trust in the Mafia than the police.
On the flip side, it is curiosity, humility, and the ability to say “I might be wrong” that keeps mistakes in everyday life from turning into disasters. Without those traits, even simple errors can grow into serious consequences. We only have to look at the tragic events this week in a bar in Switzerland where it is alleged the nonsensical placing of burning flares too close to a combustible ceiling caused a deadly inferno.
In an increasingly complex world, learning and critical thinking are not optional they are every humans responsibility. When we value understanding over ego we will finally make society a safer place for everyone.
BW, T.
Disclaimer - Image copyright unknown, please advise if it belongs to you and I will credit or take down if required.
0 comments