I read a really powerful quote this morning that has stuck with me. It was a statement made by Isaac Asimov, the prolific science fiction writer (and notably he was also a biochemist). I think he is most well known for his Foundation series, but even if you aren’t a sci-fi fan, I imagine you are still somewhat familiar with his work. Many of his books have been made into movies and television mini-series. Perhaps you saw the cinematic adaption of ‘I, Robot’ starring Will Smith that was released in the early 2000s? Anyway, it doesn’t really matter if you are familiar with his work. I am only providing the background so it lends some weight to the words I am going to share.
Asimov was quoted as saying the following: “There is a cult of ignorance in the United States…[It is] nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that ‘my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.’” Before you sigh heavily, thinking that I’ve turned my blog into a political soap box, I want assure you that I have not, and will not. That is not because I am afraid to share the feelings I have when it comes to politics. In fact, when I’ve deemed it important or relevant, I believe I already have given you a peek into my general feelings. But, I think there is more than enough of that to go around, so I’m going to stick to just sprinkling in facts and thoughts when applicable.
Okay, disclaimer over. Let’s get back to the point of this post. I am actually going to replace the word democracy with freedom for a moment. I’m not going to claim that is what Asimov meant, but I am going to change the word to start the dive into the topic I want to explore. I believe that many people feel that their freedom means that their ignorance is just as good as someone else’s knowledge. Okay. What does that mean? Let’s break this down.
Well, many people believe, and rightfully so, that they have the inalienable right to believe anything, subscribe to anything, and accept anything as true and factual. That ‘anything’ doesn’t need support and doesn’t need to hold up against evidence to the contrary. That ‘anything’ is real and valid simply because it was conceived, contrived, and accepted. I am not focusing on political allegiance or beliefs here, at all. I am talking about relationships and physical and mental health. I think that this phenomenon occurs in so many facets of our lives, but it is just more pervasive and publicized when it comes to issues that have been deemed political or inflammatory from a political standpoint.
I might be confusing you here so I want to try and clarify a little. Let’s modify the words of the quote first, to make them a little more user-friendly. I AM twisting the words but not with the intention of reshaping Asimov’s sentiments, but to discuss something I think is important. This is MY take.
Many people believe that the right to think and speak freely is supported by the notion that not knowing the truth of something or even trying to know the truth of something is the SAME as knowing something to be true or at least diving in to try and figure it all out. Was that too wordy? Did that make sense to you? Let me use an actual example. I believe I am healthy if I am just eating vegetables for lunch. I don’t want someone to tell me otherwise, like I need some protein. I don’t want to investigate this point, gain some basic understanding of nutrition, or even hear out someone who might be more of an expert in that area. My understanding of nutrition, which is wholly limited, is the same as someone that has that information. Moreover, my truth (vegetables and nothing else is as healthy as can be) is the equivalent of the truth of someone more knowledgeable when it comes to nutrition. Do you get it now?
We believe that these beautiful freedoms we are afforded grant us the right to turn opinion and preference into fact, or at least create an equivalency. We make them the same. You know what this does? It quashes our curiosity and our desire to learn. It feeds complacency. It nourishes unawareness and disconnection. It fosters ill will because we tend to discredit and discount any other information that’s being shared with us.
Think about this in terms of relationships. I mean really, really consider it. If you always think you are right about something or you refuse to even contemplate the right or wrongness of your thought process, how does that nourish the relationships you have? If you are unwilling to ever get on the other side of something, how do you ever compromise or make concessions? How do you realistically and generously explain your perspective on something when the answer is ‘just because’? How do you find middle ground when you are entrenched on your side in a way that doesn’t allow for even a smidgen of movement.
We do have the freedom to have our own thoughts, perspectives, and feelings. This is a glorious thing that we often take for granted. However, that freedom should not be abused. That freedom should not be used to hurt other people or build unnecessary walls between people. That freedom is not intended to be a weapon. It is a tool or a pathway, not a cudgel.
So how do we meaningfully enjoy that freedom and not pervert its use or intention? Well, we educate ourselves. We keep an open mind. We stay willing to accept that there will always and I mean ALWAYS be things we don’t know. Even if we know something to be true for us, they may not be true for someone else and that’s okay. We don’t need to draw equivalencies. We don’t need to make everyone right. We can’t close the door to possibilities. We have to always ask questions. If we stop, we are all but lost. You feel me?
Talk to you tomorrow.
L.
thepathtoworthy.com 