We are all astoundingly ignorant of all sorts of things. Responding to realizing one’s own ignorance by backing off and deciding to research the subject is something to be proud of, not ashamed of.
Beck, we haven’t interacted much on the boards because I stay mostly out of MPSIMS, but I was involved in that thread. You didn’t insult anyone. I think it was clear that you were in a position to learn a lot about a subject that is brand new to a lot of us. Honestly, aside from those who grew up in cultures without gendered pronouns, we have ALL been there. It’s hard. It’s clear you’re trying. If anyone demands more than that, that’s on them.
A girl (friend but not girlfriend much to my frustration at the time) during college had a rock on her desk hand painted with “why didn’t life’s problem all hit me when I was seventeen and knew all the answers?”
As a senior resident the interns we hated to have under us were the smarter ones who thought they knew more than they did. Much better the less knowledgeable that knew they didn’t know. Knowing that you don’t know was the most important knowledge. I still see it as part of a learning progression pattern: complete insecurity and feeling stupid, to some knowledge and more confidence than the knowledge base justifies, to additional learning that results in an appreciation of how little you know. A higher level of feeling stupid!
Pretty sure it’s the story of Socrates - the Delphinian Oracle declaring him the smartest in the land, turns out because he was the only one who knew that he didn’t know jack shit!
Thank you Beck for keeping an open mind. FWIW my take is that your changing your POV is less important than the fact that you have engaged in listening to and considering other perspectives outside your own past experience. And I hope you feel that your perspectives are heard and considered as well. For the record if I came off as dismissive of your perspective or beating up on you I apologize.
Beck, I owe you an apology as well. I am not always particularly patient, and too quickly I came to the conclusion that you had no intention of learning.
On being presented with new information, like you, I must adjust my assessment.
Kudos to @kenobi_65 for their patience and empathy.
Indeed. There’s no shame in being wrong and having to adjust your view. Being willing to do so is the best way to learn and grow (a process that’s not over till we’re dead and buried).
Exchanges like this are one of the reasons I love the Straight Dope so much. Also one of the (depressingly few) things that give me hope for our species.
Education is one of the major tenets of this board, along with some true goofiness. I’ve had my chain yanked on several occasions over things which I really thought were true and which turned out to be urban legend or just plain incorrect. It stings, but I’m grateful that I was called on my misconceptions so I can now lord it over others who believe the same nonsense.
