Image: Cru

He wasn’t prepared for the reaction he got when he posted the video on Twitter. The young lady in the clip needed to quench her thirst but was at a loss as to how the water dispenser worked. After trying to figure out its operation to no avail, she turned to a staff of the company with a sheepish smile to ask for help. The poster went on to body-shame the lady; alluding to her inability to operate something as uncomplicated as a water dispenser even though she had an ample derriere. But he got more than what he bargained for when commenter after commenter condemned his action.

That incident struck me as a typical example of why many are reluctant to admit ignorance in any form. They would sooner be found out as a liar than admit they have no clue about a hot topic.

The cyberspace is suffused with pseudo-intellectuals and uninformed analysts because everyone is in a virtual competition to be seen as knowledgeable.

There are no learners anymore

To be a learner is to risk being perceived as a dolt. A backward, “unwoke” lagger who’s not in tune with what’s up. It’s the reason an individual would ask a sincere question, hoping to be enlightened during a discussion and would be met with stares of disbelief or derision rather than a genuine answer.

In an era where we are urged to keep abreast of happenings, there’s subtle and obvious pressure to be a jack of all trades

The one who not only knows it all but can school others on almost every subject.

Every day, there’s an array of trending topics that elicit discourse online. And often, the takes are as curious and eye-opening as they are ridiculous.

Experts find their voices drowned by ignoramuses posing as eggheads

It’s the insidious aftermath of the same plague–a compulsion to sound intelligent.

Another consequence of this epidemic is the reign of false narratives. Because the vast majority are more concerned about false posturing as an intelligentsia than they are about its impact on the larger populace, more and more people are misinformed.

In more-defining instances, lives have been lost because someone chose to exaggerate their capabilities. Many of us have regrettable tales to tell about artisans who messed up our brief on account of their incompetence. Mechanics, tailors, carpenters, and plumbers who swear they are the best man for the job only to scratch their heads while tendering incoherent apologies when they are found to be phoney.

Perhaps the aptest example would be our constant experience with politicians who pledge to solve the country’s gargantuan problems if elected only to activate the “disappearing act code” or exhibit divergent traits when we choose to trust them with our mandate.

And what about teachers who can barely read or write? It’s safe to say they are responsible for the high failure rate of candidates in national examinations.

Digging in and winging things we are ill-equipped to deal with have dire outcomes

It’s okay to admit a lack of knowledge.

It is honourable to own up to inexperience or unawareness.

An admission of ignorance is the first step towards learning. When we acknowledge that we do not know, we open up the opportunity to gain new information.

Besides, it is impossible to be a specialist in every field. All of us are novices in some area so why pretend?

At the home front, partners step in those areas where their significant other is deficient. Even in corporate organisations, it’s those who are lacking a specific skill or competency that get trained.

Contrary to what we believe, coming clean about our inadequacies opens us up to empathy and assistance. People are more inclined to offer a helping hand to someone who’s upfront about their challenges than their counterpart who claims otherwise.

Nonetheless, if a piece of knowledge or skill will produce a positive impact on your life or career, then it’s a no-brainer that you should strive to acquire it.

Never be afraid or ashamed to say you do not know. If you are mocked for this declaration, the one who does the shaming is the halfwit, not you.