Knowledge – Use my marker

On knowledge

Knowledge is a tool and not an end in itself.

Note to self: Focus beats Encyclopedia

It is not how much you know that is important, but what you know. It is possible to know a great many things, but without knowing what you most need to know.

—Tolstoy, in “A Calendar of Wisdom“

Sustaining process knowledge – a Japanese take

Japan’s Ise Grand Shrine is an extraordinary example in that genre. Every 20 years, caretakers completely tear down the shrine and build it anew. The wooden shrine has been rebuilt again and again for 1,200 years. Locals want to make sure that they don’t ever forget the production knowledge that goes into constructing the shrine. There’s a very clear sense that the older generation wants to teach the building techniques to the younger generation: “I will leave these duties to you next time.”

—Dan Wang on ‘trying to hold on to process knowledge.’ in how technology grows

“I don’t know the first thing about this issue”

You know enough to know you don’t know everything.

You know enough to know that there might be a pitfall or a trap ahead, and that you need to tread carefully.

You know enough to reach out and ask for help.

That’s three things, things that others less thoughtful than you don’t know.

Seth’s Blog: “I don’t know the first thing about this issue”, December 20, 2016 at 12:07PM

So, give yourself some credit and begin.”