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Knowledge is often a barrier

Updated: Jul 2, 2019



Knowledge means to know of. It could have come from our experiences, education or something we have been informed by some third party on whom we place some degree of trust, such as our parents, a priest, leader or the media.


Knowledge is important for it helps us to create a view about life, and helps us draft rules for our survival, success, happiness, etc. We come to believe most things and know about somethings. However we rarely appreciate that our knowledge is limited and our ignorance infinite.


Our knowledge and our beliefs create boundaries, which secure us but also contains us. Limiting our thoughts and vision. Knowledge tells us what we can do but also what we cannot do.

Almost al great achievements have been the result of people who dared to step beyond their blind beliefs and the boundaries of their knowledge.


Our ignorance sets us free to seek and explore, using our intelligence and following our instinct. Sometimes we may land up with big problems and sometimes we discover new worlds, new things and make new friends. Inventions are also the result of refusing to be contained by our knowledge


Numerous studies show that on their deathbed, the vast majority of people have regrets, not of what they did, rather regretting what they did not dare do.


As for me, the moment I learn something I begin to question its validity, its usefulness and how to make it obsolete. Its an interesting and exciting journey for me but can be sometimes bothersome for people in my life.


What is the use of living almost the same life for 70 years and then call it a life?


 

Discussion Notes:

Knowledge is not linear, zero need not be reinvented, relearnt etc. The same zero of the decimal system however was also used for the binary system, the basis of all our computer working. 

Building a pyramid when not necessary or in the wrong place can be a misleading approach again caused by our knowledge. 

Knowledge if understood and used correctly  for the present can be productive & beneficial. Can we say with certainty that the same knowledge will be applicable and useful in the future?

We change, situation changes, goals change and knowledge too must change.  

Knowledge is something the mind comes to 'know'. 

The mind is a good servant but a terrible master. 

The Church maintained for 1500 years that the sun revolved around the sun and the earth is 5,600 years old. This was 'common knowledge'.

Those who transcended this knowledge like Galileo changed the Western world. 


In first battle of Panipat  (1526 C.E.) Babur invaded India he defeated Ibrahim Lodi and his battle hardened men who armed with their knowledge of the terrain and the experience of warfare.


Babur had questioned this 'common knowledge ' and used cannons and guns amongst other new knowledge which gave him a powerful edge to overpower Lodi.

While the technology was available to both, it was Babur who did not let the knowledge of the past impede in his ability to craft a new strategy and execution.

 

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