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Get Used to Feeling Stupid. It’s the Only Way Not to Stay That Way.
No one likes to feel stupid. We live in a world that rewards smart and punishes stupid. At least, we think that. Not true, of course. Plenty of stupid at the top.
But still, we don’t like to “feel” stupid. Never mind that stupid isn’t a feeling.
Some people wear stupid like a badge of defiance, and ridicule smart people so they can feel stupid, too.
Of course, we confuse stupid and ignorant.
If you’re stupid, that means you lack intelligence or common sense.
If you’re ignorant, you simply lack facts. Uneducated on some topic.
No shame in being ignorant. We’re born ignorant of pretty much everything. Any topic you’re not educated in is a topic you’re ignorant in.
The folly is feeling stupid when you’re simply ignorant.
Words mean things for a reason
We know the difference between a novel and a poem. Hot and cold. Words mean things for a reason. But when you think ignorant and stupid are the same, one can lead to the other real fast.
You won’t find any climate change deniers among the scientists who study climate change. Know what I’m saying here?
When you feel stupid, you’re probably just ignorant.
Which means you should probably get used to feeling stupid. It’s the only way not to stay that way. You don’t learn anything when you’re right.
