Education, all forms, is a great thing. But it’s kind of funny that some times those who complain the loudest about the kinds of education or even the lack thereof, are themselves the least educated of all. Or maybe its just common sense.
I don’t know how predominant it is on campuses these days, but back in my time there was a very popular phrase that simply encouraged us to “Question authority”. At the time, too many of us took that to mean “argue with authority”. This did no more than to waste their time while “authority” tried to explain the answer. Now I am still firmly in the corner of “questioning” authority, but when we DO that, it inherently carries the unflagging responsibility of LISTENING to the answers we are given. It is not acceptable to interrupt the answering authority with another unrelated question. If we ASK the question, we need to listen to the answer. Once it’s on the table, it can be addressed, rationalized and weighed for it’s value.…but that’s just me.
Here’s what I took from this strip. Knowledge is dangerous, because,even when people are primed for it, it spreads quickly, and indiscriminately to everyone, bringing about sweeping changes in the makeup of the landscape. The wise man therefore squashes it, with his closed bucket of “all necessary knowledge” because he has the moral authority to decide what we should and shouldn’t know.
An educated person would know and understand that the phrase was meant figuratively, not literally. .I have a beautiful but scary photo at my desk of forest firefighters resting and watching a night-time back burn on a mountain fire. They set fire to the entire side of the mountain. It worked. But boy – scary.
Re-education may be necessary when the climate is right for wide-spread fires. Or so I am told. In that case, filling the bucket isn’t the educational process. Emptying it is.Reminds me of Blank Reggie on Max Headroom.
David Huie Green AmericaIsGreatItHasUs about 10 years ago
Revolutions have been caused by new knowledge,especially the knowledge the leaders sometimes are not fit to lead.
Mugens Premium Member about 10 years ago
Education, all forms, is a great thing. But it’s kind of funny that some times those who complain the loudest about the kinds of education or even the lack thereof, are themselves the least educated of all. Or maybe its just common sense.
jimcos about 10 years ago
I don’t know how predominant it is on campuses these days, but back in my time there was a very popular phrase that simply encouraged us to “Question authority”. At the time, too many of us took that to mean “argue with authority”. This did no more than to waste their time while “authority” tried to explain the answer. Now I am still firmly in the corner of “questioning” authority, but when we DO that, it inherently carries the unflagging responsibility of LISTENING to the answers we are given. It is not acceptable to interrupt the answering authority with another unrelated question. If we ASK the question, we need to listen to the answer. Once it’s on the table, it can be addressed, rationalized and weighed for it’s value.…but that’s just me.
TSurber about 10 years ago
Here’s what I took from this strip. Knowledge is dangerous, because,even when people are primed for it, it spreads quickly, and indiscriminately to everyone, bringing about sweeping changes in the makeup of the landscape. The wise man therefore squashes it, with his closed bucket of “all necessary knowledge” because he has the moral authority to decide what we should and shouldn’t know.
Pretty MORAL outlook to me.
jtviper7 about 10 years ago
I thought Peter was going to make another ’ Selfie ’.
Hunter7 about 10 years ago
An educated person would know and understand that the phrase was meant figuratively, not literally. .I have a beautiful but scary photo at my desk of forest firefighters resting and watching a night-time back burn on a mountain fire. They set fire to the entire side of the mountain. It worked. But boy – scary.
tired-one about 10 years ago
Yeah, a little bit of knowledge/education plus a bit of arrogance is annoying.And do not confuse ‘education’ with ‘indoctrination.’
stuart about 10 years ago
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
Brass Orchid Premium Member about 10 years ago
Re-education may be necessary when the climate is right for wide-spread fires. Or so I am told. In that case, filling the bucket isn’t the educational process. Emptying it is.Reminds me of Blank Reggie on Max Headroom.
David Huie Green AmericaIsGreatItHasUs about 10 years ago
Moral of the strip today: sometimes what you need most actually is a filled bucketand not a match(Metaphorically and concretely speaking)