Experience Matters
Tagged as: Oct 01Those who can — do. Those who can’t — teach.
-H.L. Mencken
An oft heard saying that strikes deep at the hearts of every teacher around. It’s not hard to find a pupil or person who is willing to use the saying for someone that they are forced to listen to. While I don’t often say it (seems rather blatantly disrespectful, wouldn’t you say?), sometimes I can see where the quote might have come from.
Have you met people that freely give their opinion on anything that they encounter? Yeah that person is called a know-it-all. They’re a KIA. Without the 10 year/100,000 mile warranty. Hardy har har. But they really are a pet peeve of mine. Most people aren’t fond of KIAs however when I encounter one I have this immense urge to prove them wrong.
KIAs are a proud and arrogant bunch who at their core probably are a little unsure of themselves. And thus the need to prove their superiority over everyone else.
I would like to make the distinction at this point between those that think that they know it all as opposed to those that actually do know quite a bit. KIAs are those that think that they know it all. But they don’t. While they have an opinion on everything, you only need to be well-versed in one of the things that they talk about to know that they don’t know as much as it might seem. However, there really are people that know their stuff. And to them I say bravo. It’s funny how those that actually know a lot seem to think that they know so little while those that know very little seem to feign knowing much, huh?
Anyway, so that point is that I don’t like listening to people give me their opinion on something that I’m doing when they have no experience in the matter themselves. If they have no experience, then they obviously do not entirely know what they are talking about. It’s even worse when I know that they don’t even have the capacity for it.
Take exercising for example. While I’m not an amazing athlete or anything, it’s hard to listen to those who’ve never run a mile give their advice on my running. To someone who will not even raise a finger for their own well-being, you do not get to sit on the sideline and critique my effort.
I give brownie points for trying your best. Perseverance is not something to be taken lightly. But if you’re not even willing to give it a shot? You might as well be talking to a wall. At least it won’t try to prove you wrong!
My opinion is that you are getting somewhere here
You and your peeves!
“It’s funny how those that actually know a lot seem to think that they know so little while those that know very little seem to feign knowing much, huh?”
I’ve meet KIAs as well as people KALBSL (Know A Lot But Say Little) and the KALBSLs seem to be a much more mellow bunch. I agree with you in that KIAs are probably unsure of themselves. Depending on the context, when someone tells me, “I’ve been doing X for 10 years…” I start having doubts. In my experience, when I hear the resume, it makes me wonder what they are trying to prove.
The people who really know stuff and who don’t have ego problems have no problem with saying they don’t know something and they have an awareness of how much they don’t know that keeps them humble.
I have also met KIAs who really do KIA and are kinda jerks about it. I find this sad. I may get annoyed at first but later I’ll feel a bit sad about the person. Doesn’t mean I want to hang around them though! KIAs can be PITAs!
I used to be a bit of KIA - got it from my Dad! He’s always trying to be “helpful” and he IS but he also gives you advice whether you want it or not! Granted I’m his daughter but still…
I have tried to learn Detachment - that is, if I give advice, I will be detached from the outcome. Most people who give advice are attached to the outcome so they get pushy, have too much invested in your doing what they are advising!
I also got used to giving advice - I began “handling” things at an early age and I ended up being the person to call. I remember when the hot water heater rusted out and leaked. I was something like 15 years old. I opened the Yellow Pages, found a new hot water heater which was delivered quickly. I found someone to install it and within 2 hours, the problem was solved. It was freaky how fast it came together.
[off topic but I don't visit here as often as I used to because I seem to stop by when your server is down!]
I do know what you mean about people giving you advice about something they have never done themselves! “Run a mile in my shoes and then maybe I’ll listen!” hehehe.
Regarding your quote, I was trying to find something about emptiness and spirituality - I think it’s Buddhism (or Tao?) that has you trying to empty your mind to expand your consciousness. Something like that.
But I found these 2 inneresting quotes instead:
“Big egos are big shields for lots of empty space.”
- Diana Black
“Outside noisy, inside empty”
- Chinese Proverb
You know, I don’t know why you would be visiting when my server is down. I think that I need to get a new router or something. Ugh. Perhaps it’s because you visit on the weekends? And that’s when I’m usually less attentive to it because I’m out doing other things.
I like your advice on being detached from the outcome. I also like your observation about people that talks about how much experience they have doing something. So while experience does matter, it’s not the end all solution.
Hey well…what I think about your running is that you need a different style of running shoe and you should move your right knee to the left every third step and…KIDDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hate it when I get all KIA-y. Well, not about running, but sometimes.