"You Think You Know A Lot"

[Received]

People say this to me thankfully infrequently, but my emotional response is more just a basic Niezschean repulsion, because it seems so clearly to indicate that the other person just don't like knowing things, and more typically that they're envious that you know more than them. This to a person who have no purpose in speaking about something other than to speak about it, to convey his point, to appeal to what he thinks is the most reasonable course.

I used to respond to it by saying that I don't think I know something, because this implies a second order of knowledge; I say that I just believe something, in the moment selflessly interested in it, not thinking at all about this second order of things. But I think a better answer would be: knowing one thing doesn't mean you think you know more than another person. You think I know a lot? No, I don't have time for it; I'm too busy speaking about the thing I know right here. It's you who thinks I think I know a lot.

Anyways. I deal with over-sensitive egalitarians, who equate knowing something or speaking in a confident way with "thinking you know" too much -- being arrogant. Hence my earlier elitism thread. First world problems.

Anyone else feel this way?

 

[Davian]

No.

 

[bhsmte]

People say this to me thankfully infrequently, but my emotional response is more just a basic Niezschean repulsion, because it seems so clearly to indicate that the other person just don't like knowing things, and more typically that they're envious that you know more than them. This to a person who have no purpose in speaking about something other than to speak about it, to convey his point, to appeal to what he thinks is the most reasonable course.

I used to respond to it by saying that I don't think I know something, because this implies a second order of knowledge; I say that I just believe something, in the moment selflessly interested in it, not thinking at all about this second order of things. But I think a better answer would be: knowing one thing doesn't mean you think you know more than another person. You think I know a lot? No, I don't have time for it; I'm too busy speaking about the thing I know right here. It's you who thinks I think I know a lot.

Anyways. I deal with over-sensitive egalitarians, who equate knowing something or speaking in a confident way with "thinking you know" too much -- being arrogant. Hence my earlier elitism thread. First world problems.

Anyone else feel this way?

This usually happens when you are talking with someone and you are making entirely too much sense and it just hit them, how much sense you are making and they don't want to admit it.

 

[Received]

No.

Dr. Oz Reveals the Hidden Dangers of Microwave Popcorn

 

[Received]

This usually happens when you are talking with someone and you are making entirely too much sense and it just hit them, how much sense you are making and they don't want to admit it.

Like they don't want to admit that you're right. True story.

 

[Davian]

Like they don't want to admit that you're right. True story.

That happens to me all the time.

 

[quatona]

There are quite a few people who find me arrogant, too.
Sometimes I wish I weren´t right all the time.

 

[agua]

People say this to me thankfully infrequently, but my emotional response is more just a basic Niezschean repulsion, because it seems so clearly to indicate that the other person just don't like knowing things, and more typically that they're envious that you know more than them. This to a person who have no purpose in speaking about something other than to speak about it, to convey his point, to appeal to what he thinks is the most reasonable course.

I used to respond to it by saying that I don't think I know something, because this implies a second order of knowledge; I say that I just believe something, in the moment selflessly interested in it, not thinking at all about this second order of things. But I think a better answer would be: knowing one thing doesn't mean you think you know more than another person. You think I know a lot? No, I don't have time for it; I'm too busy speaking about the thing I know right here. It's you who thinks I think I know a lot.

Anyways. I deal with over-sensitive egalitarians, who equate knowing something or speaking in a confident way with "thinking you know" too much -- being arrogant. Hence my earlier elitism thread. First world problems.

Anyone else feel this way?

I think it's all in the delivery. Information can be delivered in a way that belittles the recipient ( implies their lack of knowledge etc ), or in a way that welcomes them to give input and respond/question imo.

 

[agua]

quatona

There are quite a few people who find me arrogant, too.
Sometimes I wish I weren´t right all the time.

Wise man say when human is continually right he will eventually turn full circle

 

[Ophiolite]

Those of us who do know a lot frequently - and I think rightly - can revel in that knowledge. We can be enthused by how much there is to know, how facts interlock in marvellous ways, how new discoveries reveal novel relationships. And we have a window into this exciting world!

For those who do not share that enthusiasm, we may seem, depending on context, as boring, elitist, patronising, smug, aggressive or threatening. In at least some of those cases a response of "You think you know a lot" may well be appropriate.

All of which is an alternate way of saying what agua just said with more precision and eloquence.

 

[Received]

There are quite a few people who find me arrogant, too.
Sometimes I wish I weren´t right all the time.

lol

And you know, you're right. I mean, not always against me, but who's counting.

ETA: I'd actually say that pretty much any time we go at it in detail, we both end up not knowing what the hell the other person is saying. Draw?

 

[Received]

Those of us who do know a lot frequently - and I think rightly - can revel in that knowledge. We can be enthused by how much there is to know, how facts interlock in marvellous ways, how new discoveries reveal novel relationships. And we have a window into this exciting world!

For those who do not share that enthusiasm, we may seem, depending on context, as boring, elitist, patronising, smug, aggressive or threatening. In at least some of those cases a response of "You think you know a lot" may well be appropriate.

All of which is an alternate way of saying what agua just said with more precision and eloquence.

And maybe here's another part that can go with the response. Yes, I know what I'm talking about, but because I know more, I know less, given that the more a person learns the more he simultaneously realizes how much he doesn't know. Knowledge by definition should lead to humility, and that just isn't what a defensive person who makes statements like the thread title are even capable of seeing.

 

[Chesterton]

wowjustwow.

 

[Received]

wowjustwow.

You're welcome.

 

[durangodawood]

People often tell me i DO know a lot.

I'm ok with that.

 

[Chesterton]

You're welcome.

You are due some credit. I was a bit put off by the first thread, but with this one you've convinced me that elitism is not only defensible, but necessary.

 

[Received]

You are due some credit. I was a bit put off by the first thread, but with this one you've convinced me that elitism is not only defensible, but necessary.

Meaning? You agree with me, or are saying I'm ethically unjustified?

 

[Tree of Life]

People use this expression on me when I'm using my knowledge in a way that belittles others. When I use knowledge to build others up they generally don't complain.

 

[Received]

People use this expression on me when I'm using my knowledge in a way that belittles others. When I use knowledge to build others up they generally don't complain.

The problem being that the way that a person uses his knowledge with good intentions is too often perceived by the other as being belittling simply because the first used his knowledge.

 

[Ana the Ist]

There are quite a few people who find me arrogant, too.
Sometimes I wish I weren´t right all the time.