Category: Improvement

Is More Knowledge Always Better?

Gaining knowledge is what has helped us succeed as a species. Are there circumstances, though, where ignorance is preferred?

Across the planet, different species fit a particular environmental niche. The native plants or animals tend to be adapted for the environment, to stay warm in cold temperatures, or have long necks to reach the tall trees, and so on.

Humans are, on paper, a middling species, at best. We’re not the strongest, or the fastest. By almost every measure, there is some other type of life form that is better.

One of the few exceptions has to do with gaining and retaining knowledge. We puzzle out why things work the way they do. That has led to a deeper, more comprehensive understanding of the world and how it works.

And once we learn something, we share it with others. We write it down, or speak it aloud as much and as far as we can. That combination, figuring stuff out and then telling everyone about it, has allowed our species to spread across the globe and thrive like few other animal species have.

Is knowledge, though, always a good thing? Once learned, it is not possible to unlearn something. Are there instances where knowing something is objectively, or subjectively, a bad thing?

For example, would we be better off not knowing how to make atomic weapons that could destroy the world several times over? On a more personal level, does it serve any benefit to learn that your co-worker makes significantly more money than you do? Or that your partner cheated on you years ago?

Can you think of things, from your own life or your imagination, where you have regretted learning something? Is more knowledge always a good thing?

Related questions: Does knowledge have inherent value? What can you learn from loss? Is faster better?

If You Could Change One Thing About Your Home, What Would It Be?

Have you thought about what changes would improve your home? What if money, time, or effort weren’t an issue?

Share why if you wish.

How’s It Going?

In order to improve your life, sometimes you first need to evaluate your life. With that in mind, how’s it going?

In life, it is easy to get caught up worrying about the future. In particular, at this moment in time, the future is very uncertain.

For instance, there is an important election coming up. What will happen if my side wins, and what if they lose? There are also other existential threats, from A.I. to climate change to global conflicts.

There are also more personal level concerns. Maybe you are worried about the future of your job, or your kids, or your health, or something else entirely.

You might also be obsessive about the past, even if you can’t do anything about it. A contentious conversation may play over and over in your head. Or you may have regret over a mistake you made, or a snarky comment you said in passing.

To prevent these unhelpful thoughts, it might help to take stock of your current situation. In this moment, right now, how do you feel? Why do you feel that way? Does it make sense? Is it helpful, and is it productive?

Knowing your present state might help you to calm down. However, being aware of your inner state, your thoughts and feelings, is absolutely crucial to your future self. In order to become the person you want to be, you need to know who you are first.

This is a skill that not many people develop. The ability to think about yourself, to evaluate why you say what you say and act the way you do is difficult. It is also valuable, both to yourself as well as to the people around you.

In addition to this introspection, we also are checking in on our readers. With that in mind: How’s it going?

Related questions: How are we doing? What are you thinking about? How do you feel? How can we appreciate life more?

How Do You Expand Your Circle Of Influence?

Do you want to expand the amount of influence you have, in general, within a particular role you fill, or dealing with a new-found interest?

You may want to advance in your job or career (e.g., putting yourself on a path to becoming a supervisor). Or, maybe there’s a cause you want to contribute to, but you want to go beyond giving money or volunteering now and then (e.g., you may want to serve on a non-profit’s board). On a more personal level, you may want to increase your sway within your family (e.g., because you see important familial decisions are on the horizon).

You need more than a desire to accomplish something to improve your circle of influence. It would help if you also went beyond setting a goal.

Expanding your capacity for influence requires a plan or a process focused on achieving your desired outcome. The late self-improvement author and public speaker Stephen R. Covey encouraged people to define the circle of their concerns and then, within that circle, honestly assess their circle of influence.

Most people (those who aren’t wealthy, well-connected, or possess a high amount of privilege) often have more concerns than they have a realistic ability to impact. That said, individuals also have more power, skills, or talents than they give themselves credit for.

Covey noted that people who put positive, proactive energy into things they can impact—within their circle of influence—not only get more things done, but they also likely can expand their circle of influence. (The reverse is true for those who are simply reactive to what the world throws at them.)

So, how can you expand your circle of influence? Do you have a plan or process for accomplishing your goal? Is the plan focused on things you can realistically impact?

Related questions: How have your parents influenced you? What impact do you think you have on other people? What are our responsibilities to others?

How Can We Make The Internet A Better Place?

While the Internet has many good features, it is also a place filled with people behaving badly. How can we make it better?

The Internet is amazing. We carry in our pocket a portal to most of our species’ accumulated knowledge, as well as a way to communicate with people from around the world in real time.

However, there are times when the Internet is not a good place to be.

While social interaction might be good in theory, in many cases, online behavior can be shockingly negative. People can be insulting, dismissive, and just generally rude. Some share personal information like addresses, pictures, or videos not meant for public consumption. The comments section in online newspapers, message boards, and social media sites can be toxic.

There is also the threat of scammers, people looking for any opportunity to steal your money and/or identity, or to infect your computer with viruses. You have to be hyper-vigilant about what links you follow, in emails or on websites.

There are also programmed ‘bots that pretend to be individuals. These can be created and run by agents of foreign governments, who are looking to spread misinformation and sow distrust and division in everyday life.

On top of that, there are companies that collect our personal information, which then can be sold to someone who might use it to try and manipulate us.

With all of these bad actors, the Internet can provide an unpleasant experience.

However, there are some places on the web that aren’t like this. Those sites provide a much better overall experience, and might even fulfill some of the potential for positive change that the Internet offers.

How might we make more places like this? Can we curb the trolls and scammers, and encourage collaboration and creativity? How can we make the Internet a better place?

Related questions: How can you be more responsible online? Why does social media often bring out the worst in us? How can we encourage meaningful conversation?