IGNORANT – something we all are (but it's not really as bad as it sounds and I will explain)

Do you actually know what ignorant or ignorance means, the true meaning of these two nasty sounding words? I think most of us are a bit ignorant about it, but that is not holding us back from spitting them out whenever we feel it’s warranted; and that includes me as well. So I wanted to find out what I have been calling people all these years, for the most part behind their backs as I’m not that ignorant. 

I did some light research and heavy thinking and quickly found that if we continue to use the term ignorant, it’s always advisable to be a bit careful about it or you could be called a true ignoramus, big time; and that is not a nice thing to be called, because it's such an ugly word.

Ignorant or ignorance means state of being un-informed, that’s all. Translated, it pretty much covers not knowing – not having learned – unaware, etc. Some, not you of course, might use the cheaper version stupid, but that is not nice either, as it is one of several terms used to describe a condition of certain mentally challenged persons (Stupid = due to absence of mental capacity), as with idiot and the ilk. But that has never held us back using those words as markers for persons we find truly deserve to be called those names… and most of them are obviously driving around in cars all over the place - if you know what I mean. But again, we must be careful and respectful by negating this kind of name-calling.

We can only be filled with extreme awe considering how much stuff we actually know, the seemingly infinite, or dare I say ‘endless’ bunch of knowledge and information we have between our ears. At times I wonder how long it would take to write all that information down, record every bit we know, pertinent or not – squeeze out every tiny morsel. You see, we forget to remind ourselves how knowledgeable we actually are, no matter what kind of education, life or experiences we have been through – the quantity of knowledge will still be so mindbogglingly huge, like in ‘a real big lot’ – and perhaps even more than that.

But even with this massive foundation of all this knowledge, there are so much more that we do not know – yes, however puzzling, that goes for me as well... As when I tried to kiss Ulla on the lips when we were both 9, I did not know she would say ‘NO’, and I most certainly didn’t know that she would slap my face at the same time – and really hard (still a bit reddish)… I simply didn’t know. But I learned and never tried again – kissing Ulla, that is. I had no knowledge of where Einstein was going with his Theory of Relativity, so I studied and studied and studied some more – and I still didn’t get what Albert was trying to tell me; but at least I got to know that much. 

So now you are reminded that we know a lot and that there are so many trillions (which is also mind-blowing) things and pieces of information that we do not know anything about and for the most part, will never get to know anything about and in most cases we couldn’t care less if we got to know anything about.

So my point is, that when we look at ignorant meaning the lack of knowledge, calling somebody ignorant is pretty much spot on and rather normal, because we all know a lot less compared to what we do not know. So doesn’t that take a bit of the bite out of the name-calling intent? I mean, it would be like calling somebody: “You are so lack of knowledge”, which is so true, but sounds a bit clumsy compared to ignorant. I like ignorant better as it’s a lot faster to say – saving a lot of time…

Considering the above, we are all ignorant because there is a lot more we do not know than we do know - so when somebody calls me ignorant, shouldn't I just say: "Yeah, I know - thank you for noticing..." and then smile, while the other person no doubt will roll his or her eyes - a lot? It'll work for me...

I don’t like name-calling or inappropriate labeling. Don’t get me wrong, I am not living under a halo – at all. Admittedly I do cringe every time I resort to (blurt out) anger and frustration-filled improprieties, as it makes me feel weak and ‘yes’ ignorant, as I at that very moment cannot grab on to a more diplomatic reaction or do one better, by simply keeping my opinions as well as my mouth tightly shut.

But at times we do unfortunately vent these darker attitudes about people around us, like we are so bloody perfect ourselves – at that very moment, at least. We feel that we are right, no matter how wrong we are. And adding it all up, name-calling is based on our own insecurities, attitude of self-righteousness, mixed with any amount of anxieties – for the most part. Yes, it’s easier to move the blame (frustrations) unto somebody else, but most of the time, we probably use it very inappropriately as well as being totally unfair – all considered.

So, I would be okay with you calling me ignorant because by doing that, you acknowledge me as a normal fellow human being and at times that is nice to have confirmed. But please, don’t ever call me an ignoramus (an ignorant person), just because I think that is one of the ugliest words popping out of the dictionary; sounds too much like one of those Roman big-wheels, like Romulus, Pontifex Maximus, Augustus, Glutimus Maximus, Tiberius, Ignoramusus and the rest of them; beside the silly ones, they all dressed up in loose fitting togas, which I’m all for; so very airy, comfortable and rather easy to wash.

I think that when we keep our frustrations under control, do some deep breathing before belching inappropriate names at anybody, we will all be happier. I try to remember that we actually do not make mistakes willingly, voluntarily or on purpose, so shouldn’t we be nicer in our responses? At least I do know that much, but in my reality I'm still ignorant - and proud of it, because it's rather normal - all considered.

Thought of the Day:

We were driving on a wine-country road the other day, and I saw a sign that said:

FRESH STRAWBERRIES – PICKED DAILY

Then I thought it would be fun (debatable) to put up a sign that said:

FRESH NOSES – PICKED DAILY

(I did mention debatable didn’t I?)