What You Don’t Know That You Don’t Know

There is so much that we don’t know. There is the stuff that we should know but somehow missed out on. Maybe we were out sick that day. Or maybe we weren’t paying attention when it was being taught. Or maybe we just got behind and didn’t get through the entire curriculum that year and everyone in the class missed out on that particular detail.

There is the stuff that we’d like to know but don’t even have the slightest clue how to begin finding out about. Like, how to throw pizzas to make the crust thin and crunchy without putting your hand right through them.

Then there is the stuff that is more work than we want to invest right now. If we ever needed to know it for some project we were doing we would knuckle down and learn it but we just don’t see that happening any time soon, if ever. An example of this might be how to arc weld.

Then there is the stuff that you used to know but you didn’t use it so you forgot it. You could probably relearn it but after the experience of forgetting it because you didn’t use it you think you’d probably just forget how to do it again so why bother?

Then there is the stuff that you don’t even know that you don’t know. That is particularly bothersome. You can’t remedy that situation unless you learn what it is you don’t know. This is the most frustrating type of ignorance. You can only check the things you do know and look for mysterious gaps.

Some people revel in their ignorance. They must figure that if they’ve gotten along this long without knowing whatever it is, they won’t miss it. I’m just the opposite. I want to learn all I can about everything I can. I often like to learn them on my own from books. There is something to be said for having an expert available to answer your questions though.

I’ve prioritized the things that I know I don’t know but want to learn. I’ve found video instruction to be helpful in many instances. I am particularly fond of break out sessions from conventions. The instructor has already limited the scope for you. You Tube is a great way to watch these inexpensively.

For someone like me that likes to learn a lot of diverse topics, the internet is a great source of information. You do have to be careful to verify your facts though. Just because you saw it on the internet doesn’t mean it’s true you know. Of course you did. My readers are some of the smartest people in the world.


Sweet dreams, don’t forget to tell the ones you love that you love them, and most important of all, be kind.