Clever title aside, there’s an absolute crush of know-it-alls lately who simply have the answer. Rather than continuing pointless, yet amusing, arguments, I thought maybe it lends to a new discussion (that will turn into a pointless and amusing argument):
Do you want to know it all?
Would you rather achieve mastery in a subject or be a perpetual journeyman?
In the former, you can guide the next generation; in the latter you always look forward to exploration.
Which do you prefer?
These are the only options?
I need both. I learn and then I teach, both of these ongoing and equally as important to me.
I’m sorry. I cannot choose.
Zhaozhou, Priest Congsen, who would later become Great Master Zhenji of the Guanyin Monastery, first aroused the way-seeking mind at the age of sixty-one. He traveled around, carrying a water gourd and a staff with metal rings on top. He kept telling himself, “I will inquire about dharma of anyone who excels me, even a seven-year-old child. I will teach dharma to anyone who has less understanding, even a hundred-year-old.”
Thus, he studied and understood Nanquan’s way.
I would be terrified if I discovered I knew it all! That would mean all my failures are now 100% on me. I have all the tools: I am failing to use them.
I LOVE learning I have been wrong all along about something: a new door just opened!
Socrates did it first.
In this thought experiment, not in life
Depends… do I get my ideal body in the process?
I struggle with the wording here. Is there exploration beyond mastery? I’m envisioning mastery as discovering, understanding and/or implementing the limits of a field.
Journeyman.
I’d say that’s the pursuit. At least in this super simplistic question, mastery means you’ve figured it all out, but now you’ve done it: there are no worlds left to conquer.
Hello coke and hookers.
I’d prefer to keep learning, the idea of not seeking to better myself and read and apply new theories is unappealing.
. Can’t. I tried. Now my mind is just a big tangle of bro science and porn clips.
I try to just give a little guidance as able, and get some as needed. There are so many different systems and training philosophies to achieve a given goal. None of them are necessarily in conflict, they’re just means to different ends.
That’s kind of the point. I think that would be the same for me at that level of boredom
There were no more worlds to conquer. Which has already been shared.
Socrates claimed (or someone else) the more he learned, the more he did not know.
The danger comes from folks who read a book on a topic and become experts. Even more threatening are the individuals who have inherited the Dunning Kruger effect. They are truly stupid, but think they are the smartest ones at the cocktail party.
Those who are truly honest are the journeyman I believe. Continually turning the page, learning something new.
I like how you put all that. A little bit of learning is indeed a dangerous thing; drink deep, or taste not at all, of the perennial spring.
Perpetual journeyman, and this sounds way more fun anyways. Knowing everything seems like so much damn extra responsibility…I want to be able to make mistakes and shrug it off.
Some of my best learning was through epic failure (“well now at least I know what not to do”).
I think even as a journeyman you can have a lot to offer others. I also firmly believe even the smartest person in the room can learn something from the foolish person; even without the fool realizing their own moment of genius.
Other thing I have seen on these boards from time to time is the opposite of know it alls. Not telling someone how / what should be done but rather hey this is what I did and it seemed to work or not work. Maybe it will for you?!
You mean know everything about everything or just one subject?
It reads like one thing but, everyone is answering as if you meant know everything.
I would probably choose yes to both but, definitely for the latter. Why not? There are many other things to try and master.
I think this is my favorite response. I agree - I love the reduced burden of “f around and find out”. There’s no pressure there.
I do greatly appreciate the forums because if exactly what you mention: let’s just share our experience and see what happens. I haven’t loved the “what do you think… well turns out I’m here to tell you you’re wrong.” This is my passive-aggressive way of processing that.
Good question. I meant a singular topic. As you point out, that opens up a whole new universe. I can be a master and then go be a total newbie in a different world. I didn’t really think about it this way, but it’s a more exciting framing.