"Here’s what I’m starting to see: in our western society, we equate knowledge with value, expertise with worth. And so admitting uncertainty feels like admitting defeat. As if not knowing is a personal failing rather than the default human condition."
As someone who has worked in US public education for the last twenty years, I have both seen this action in others more times than I can count and done it myself more than...several times. Especially as I moved into leadership positions. The urge to come up with an answer rather than say, "I don't know, but I'll find out," is a hard habit to break. Thanks for pointing out that it is what makes us human.
"Here’s what I’m starting to see: in our western society, we equate knowledge with value, expertise with worth. And so admitting uncertainty feels like admitting defeat. As if not knowing is a personal failing rather than the default human condition."
As someone who has worked in US public education for the last twenty years, I have both seen this action in others more times than I can count and done it myself more than...several times. Especially as I moved into leadership positions. The urge to come up with an answer rather than say, "I don't know, but I'll find out," is a hard habit to break. Thanks for pointing out that it is what makes us human.
Love this piece!! So relatable, and helps explain the wild things I say for the sake of having an answer.