I like Quora.
I signed up exactly one point one million years ago and never used it because I was afraid people would comment reply telling me what an idiot I am and what right do I have to have an opinion. However, as I enter my golden years and start seeking out a nice nursing home in which to slowly to die, I feel it’s time to draw on my vast wealth of education and worldliness I’ve accrued over the three decades I’ve been alive and spent doing zero travel outside of a handful of American states. So, I’ve taken to Quora. And, if I’m being honest, I think I like it because of how self important it can make those with delusions of grandeur (hi.) feel.
When I begin answering someone’s question, it’s easy for a narcissist like me to suddenly feel as if this person has sent their question directly to me – wanting my specific take on how to live their lives, because they hope to glean some clue on how to attain my level of awesomery. They’re not randomly tossing their digital message in a bottle out into the interwaves. Nay, sir. They’re asking the sexy and important person on my end of the computer – who is definitely not some chick in yoga pants with dryer debris fuzz on them, half awake with halitosis, and spilling coffee onto the keyboarddddffggkjfkenemnxz11$#@#!*.
But if these Q&A reposts help any’a you, then great.
I may start making this a thing on A-pants.
Feel free to yes-and
Asker:
Is it better to learn from stupid people rather than trying to learn from smart and intelligent people? If you can figure out the reasons behind a stupid person’s stupidity and avoid it, won’t you get smart anyway?
MissOpinionPants:Yes! You’re right.
In fact, they can teach more than just what to avoid.
If you’re taking in everything you hear with equal parts skepticism and open-mindedness, then everyone can be your teacher. In the age of information, fact checking is only ever a few taps of the finger away – so we can listen to anyone’s take on matters with an open mind and then verify with Google two seconds after they leave.
In this way, ignorant people can teach you both directly and indirectly.
Directly, they teach you how you don’t want to be and also remind you that people who seem to know what they’re talking about – don’t always. But they also indirectly teach you when you go and fact-check their claims, learn that they’re full of it, and then also learn something new for yourself in the process (or even just reinforce an old fact you weren’t 100% sure about). Without having spoken to an unintelligent person, you may not have learned that new thing at all!
As for intelligent people, it might seem obvious how you can learn from them. But, they can teach in more ways than just via passing on a wealth of knowledge. Assuming you want to raise your own intelligence a bit (I’m not saying you need to – but don’t we all want to improve?), they can also teach you how to do that – by your own observation and inquiry of them. You can observe their habits (what they study, what they read, who they hang out with).
Or even just ask them what tips, tricks, and practices they use to stay sharp.