I once knew a guy who knew tons of random facts/stories that he learned from Reddit. That was his entire personality essentially and he was freaking annoying to me. But I never dove deep into why it annoyed me, I just know it did. Your description of unearned wisdom reminded me of this guy. Your article describes the effects of unearned wisdom on yourself, but what about the effects of unearned wisdom on others?
That is a really interesting point you bring up about how it can impact others - I could see unearned wisdom feeling more condescending or patronizing, advice that becomes hollow over time. It makes me think about how it is really easy to give other people advice, almost creating an epidemic of idealized visions of what is possible without realistic expectations. Do you have thoughts about how it could impact others?
I feel like if I am amazed or interested by this unearned wisdom that was too easily sent my way, then I am feeding into someone’s ego.
I agree that unearned wisdom is too easily shared with others, sometimes it feels like it’s more to serve the giver than the receiver of the wisdom. To reaffirm the wisdom is to spread it widely; maybe it’s an attempt to turn the unearned to earned?
So I’m terms of the effects on unearned wisdom on others, sometimes it can feel like it’s not really for me but for them. It feels selfish to receive unearned wisdom. The selfless thing would be to just listen.
That is really notable! It makes me think of this comment I saw on one of David Goggins' videos where someone put that they met him and said the he saved their life and he replied, "no you saved your life." It seems like he had no attachment to the wisdom. Maybe that is some of it too? That unearned wisdom has this attachment or identity with it.
I could imagine sacredness being a quality of the ego - a state of reverie that allows for hovering attention upon the divine. This could mean that it is a function, but for what purpose is left open to discuss further.
I once knew a guy who knew tons of random facts/stories that he learned from Reddit. That was his entire personality essentially and he was freaking annoying to me. But I never dove deep into why it annoyed me, I just know it did. Your description of unearned wisdom reminded me of this guy. Your article describes the effects of unearned wisdom on yourself, but what about the effects of unearned wisdom on others?
That is a really interesting point you bring up about how it can impact others - I could see unearned wisdom feeling more condescending or patronizing, advice that becomes hollow over time. It makes me think about how it is really easy to give other people advice, almost creating an epidemic of idealized visions of what is possible without realistic expectations. Do you have thoughts about how it could impact others?
I feel like if I am amazed or interested by this unearned wisdom that was too easily sent my way, then I am feeding into someone’s ego.
I agree that unearned wisdom is too easily shared with others, sometimes it feels like it’s more to serve the giver than the receiver of the wisdom. To reaffirm the wisdom is to spread it widely; maybe it’s an attempt to turn the unearned to earned?
So I’m terms of the effects on unearned wisdom on others, sometimes it can feel like it’s not really for me but for them. It feels selfish to receive unearned wisdom. The selfless thing would be to just listen.
That is really notable! It makes me think of this comment I saw on one of David Goggins' videos where someone put that they met him and said the he saved their life and he replied, "no you saved your life." It seems like he had no attachment to the wisdom. Maybe that is some of it too? That unearned wisdom has this attachment or identity with it.
Deep
Wisdom is perceived as power. To that end, people may attempt to gain wisdom the quickest and easiest way, albeit unearned.
And then we end up with people who shortcut accruing power but who have not earned it
Is sacred-ness a function of the ego?
I could imagine sacredness being a quality of the ego - a state of reverie that allows for hovering attention upon the divine. This could mean that it is a function, but for what purpose is left open to discuss further.