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I've displayed my considerable ignorance

"In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations, and epochs it is the rule." - Friedrich Nietzsche

From the lens Ignorant.


"The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." - Marcus Aurelius

Did my proclamation of ignorance interest you, excite you, or perhaps annoy you? I may have confused the difference in writing something convincing and writing something because I am convinced.

"We are surrounded by easily perceived barriers that limit our achievement. Most such walls were erected using substantial appearing mists of ignorance. We need to discover and acknowledge these boundaries, and then run through them." - Allan R. Wallace

Our individual lives can have ever increasing meaning. Don't let a single minded pursuit of what and how keep you from asking why.

"Education: that which reveals to the wise, and conceals from the stupid, the vast limits of their knowledge." - Mark Twain

Take this chance to let everyone know what you think, about what we all think we know. In a millennium or two your comments may offer valuable insights into our society.

  • LaraineRose Sep 3, 2011 @ 12:45 am | delete
    You may probably be aware of this .. just thought I'd include it here for your readers.

    Instead of praising all that scientists know, an encyclopedia of what they do not know was published in England. Of the 58 prominent scientists who contributed, say the editors, ?the more eminent they were, the more ready (they were) to run to us with their ignorance.? The 450-page Encyclopædia of Ignorance poses unanswered questions about the origin of the universe, why we sleep, what consciousness is, where and how the brain stores memories, and many others. ?We understand how an organism can build molecules, although the largest of them is far too minute for us to see,? writes Nobel Prize-winning molecular biologist James Crick, ?yet we do not understand how it builds a flower or a hand or an eye, all of which are plainly visible to us.? The editors declare: ?Compared to the pond of knowledge, our ignorance remains atlantic.?
    I ALWAYS enjoy reading what you have written. I will try to return here more often.
  • GrandMemories Aug 30, 2011 @ 7:04 am | delete
    Education for Christians is sorely lacking. I did a lens on this: http://www.squidoo.com/ten-things-you-might-not-know-about-the-bible based on my MDiv degree and 50+ years of study. I have enjoyed several of your lenses. Thx.
  • Chris-H Jul 16, 2011 @ 12:32 pm | delete
    I agree with much of what you have to say here. Are you familiar with Kurt Godel and his Incompleteness Theorem? You may find it interesting.

    I am often intrigued by the following thought. I may be having an idea or considering something-turning it over in my mind. And then the thought occurs to me, "I wonder which neurons in my brain are facilitating this thought right now?"

    Now this is curious on two levels. On the one hand, surely my neurons have no concept of me whatsoever--they are just doing what they do and it is "me" that is experiencing the thought.

    On the other hand, I have no clue which neurons are involved, nor how they do what they do. I am aware in a general sense that they exist, but not in any specific sense.

    So then I have an additional thought... "What if I am like one of my neurons?"

    What if I am just "doing what I do" and in so doing facilitating some higher level of awareness? Something that I can never touch and yet of which I am a critical part?

    Perhaps I am facilitating a Universe contemplating itself...

    How would I ever know?
  • dier1 Apr 19, 2011 @ 7:24 pm | delete
    "A man that knows something, knows that he knows nothing at all."

    Everytime I read this lens it excites me!
  • JackBandit Nov 16, 2010 @ 6:24 pm | delete
    In addition to your other quotes (all classic), I'd like to add Jonathan Swift: "When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him."

    Incidentally, the presumed source of inspiration for the title of John K Toole's "A Confederacy of Dunces."
  • sousababy Sep 5, 2010 @ 7:17 am | delete
    Oh I love that this lens reminds us what has been known for centuries, we really do stand on the shoulders of giants. At a recent interview, when asked one of my strengths, I said, "Guess I am not afraid to look like a fool - in order to understand or learn something." Our current world problems, like the BP oil spill, global warming, U.S. economic struggles will take those "outside the box" thinkers. You can know something, but can you apply it and expand on it? Keep up the great work...Rose
  • Spook Nov 17, 2009 @ 7:04 am | delete
    If I was you Allan I wouldn't even consider deleting any of your lenses. They mean so much and make people think. Blessed by an Angel.
  • amandascloset0 Jul 25, 2009 @ 4:57 pm | delete
    As always this is a very interesting lens! It speaks volumes. Our educational system to take a few pointers from you!
  • RoxannMi May 5, 2009 @ 1:38 am | delete
    I know that there is "a lot I do not understand". All my life, I have "sought to learn and to understand more". Only recently, have I become "wise enough", to realize, that, it is not necessary for me to "always understand". I just need to remember that, God is in control, and, He has a "firm grasp and keen understanding " of all the situations. So all I need to do, is remember to "lean on Him". I do not need to always "understand". That is just "part of our human arrogance and stubborn independent and sinful will".
  • Spook May 4, 2009 @ 5:33 am | delete
    My largely now grown up children always tease me when I come back from the bar and say, " nobody wants to talk to me," and reply of course " dad, who wants to have an intelectual discussions in the Pub?". When I reply, " I do " that momentarily stumps them and they say, " you know what I mean."
    I'm flaterred they consider me capable of an intellectual discussion. Begging your pardon but I would love nothing better than chatting to you in this situation. For a very long time now, no one has given me so much to think about in such a compelling way. I leave my ignorance with you.
  • tandemonimom Apr 9, 2009 @ 7:50 pm | delete
    5* and now a Featured Lens in the newly redesigned Homeschooling Group (under new management)!
  • stargazer00 Mar 15, 2009 @ 12:19 pm | delete
    A good read. I passed along the link to BFU to some freedom loving, life long learners.
  • BFuniv.com Mar 13, 2009 @ 10:26 am | in reply to JaguarJulie | delete
    Just for you Julie (and me), I've built an online book proposal. Let's see if we are the only ones that want to see a challenging new book.
  • sulynsi Mar 4, 2009 @ 3:59 pm | delete
    Isaac Newton also said " If I have seen further than others, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants". Interestingly, he was a God-fearing man. What bigger shoulders could he stand on? There is so much to learn, would it not be wise to begin with the correct basis? Does our learning start with the correct premise? "Look, these are the fringes of his ways, And what a whisper of a matter has been heard about him..." Job 26:14
  • Oosquid Feb 11, 2009 @ 8:55 am | delete
    "Often we are like little children stating "I know" to any pronouncement even before the idea is presented" How very true. 5 stars.
  • sparklenz Jan 21, 2009 @ 4:36 am | delete
    You are so right - we are all much more ignorant than we ever feel comfortable admitting. I think as long we are engaged and curious about the world, despite our limitations, we are at least on a journey to some kind of knowing - even if we never quite make it to the destination! Fantastic lens :-)
  • Tom_Rowlands Jan 2, 2009 @ 1:32 pm | delete
    I have to say I'm relieved to have found a blog, which covers in essence, my personal urge toward self-directed learning. Keep up the good work!
  • msbaby Jan 1, 2009 @ 7:26 pm | delete
    I'm not the least bit ashamed to say that after reading your lens that I believe myself too ignorant to comment intelligently, but wanted to tell you that I found your information both interesting and thought provoking.
  • poddys Oct 28, 2008 @ 8:53 pm | delete
    Very unique lens, and very good, 5*****
  • JaguarJulie Oct 28, 2008 @ 5:08 pm | delete
    My, how your lens makes me think MORE than Seth's writing. Yes, seriously! Have you written any books. Well, why the heck NOT? "You find peace by coming to terms with what you don't know." - Nassim Taleb -- I am finding more and more peace of mind. Thank you very much. ;)
  • chefkeem Oct 28, 2008 @ 4:21 pm | delete
    Blessed by a Booster Angel!
  • The_Homeopath Jul 13, 2008 @ 6:04 pm | delete
    Very true. Somehow though, one of the joys in my life is my ignorance because I always have new knowledge to seek.
  • Susan52 Jun 6, 2008 @ 3:11 pm | delete
    The older and wiser I become, the more ignorant I know I am. Love this!
  • May 3, 2008 @ 8:44 pm | delete
    Wonderful challenge to our educational system, or should I say regurgitation system?!
    Seeking understanding is far different from repeating what someone else thought.
  • Kyle74 Apr 27, 2008 @ 3:19 pm | delete
    Very thoughtful lens.
  • Feb 28, 2008 @ 7:42 am | delete
    I display my ignorance daily! I come by it honestly and with humility. ;~)
  • Margaret_Schaut Feb 17, 2008 @ 9:48 am | delete
    I've added this terrific page to the lensroll of my blog http://mschaut.wordpress.com/ and I really hope it brings you some traffic!
  • JerryW Feb 27, 2007 @ 9:59 am | delete
    Alan, Thanks for visiting my lens, /Losers-Guide-To-Happiness. You're right; our lenses are not exactly compliments. I started another lens which is also different, but you may be interested: /megillah. Guide for the Perplexed was the title of a book by Maimonides, about 1000 years ago.
  • KCStargazer Feb 25, 2007 @ 12:01 am | delete
    Braaaaaaaap! SQUIDZILLA likes!
    Very tasty. (Be sure to vote for your lens!)
  • Margaret_Schaut Dec 12, 2006 @ 8:19 am | delete
    Oh, I laughed and laughed because it is SO TRUE! We can't even LISTEN to one another openly anymore.... Unmitigated pride gets in our way all the time. Excellent Lens!
  • jackclee Dec 10, 2006 @ 7:44 am | delete
    Recommend book "A guide for the Perplexed" by E.F. Schumaker.

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Allan R. Wallace Trains Visionaries

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