Imagine for a moment a world where clueless people remain silent; where those without working knowledge shut up and listen. A society whose people, instead of making wild, uneducated stabs, feels compelled to investigate, question and probe. Consider a culture that actually cares about the damage caused by ignorance and prejudice, to friends and strangers alike.
* * *
Once upon a time there was authority. I don’t mean in the policing or juridical sense — Rome didn’t have police, you know? — I’m talking of intellectual authority. If you had a question about childbirth you went to see the wizened midwife that delivered both you and your mother into the world. If you were ill, your only hope was if the sawbones had seen a similar case, or had a beaten, weather-worn hand-me-down almanac that described how to use leeches effectively. Slowly though, over thousands of years, authority shifted to the written and printed word; the professionals remained masters, but they could not travel the world as quickly or as effusively as books. Information became available, accessible, free — and both culture and science surged forward as a result.
Society began to revere the written word. For some reason, ink impressed on paper in the shape of words and sentences have immense weight and meaning. What you read about giving birth is suddenly more true than the wizened midwife’s decades of experience. A book says the world is flat and, in your mind, in an instant, the world becomes flat. It’s magical just how much credence the written word is given — people will believe the craziest things if they’re written down.
Whoompf! Religion.
Blam! Newspapers.
Poof! The Internet!
Authority still exists — somewhere — but its voice is muffled, drowned out by a sea of disinformation; information that gets propagated as wisdom because we simply don’t know any better. That’s what old wives’ tales are incidentally: something your great, great grandmother once read, assimilated as truth and then forwarded it along through the generations. Does masturbation really give you hairy palms? Is thirteen actually unlucky? No.
And therein lies the problem: knowledge is power whether it is proven true or not. Fallacy, slander and gossip — it is all, from the (unfortunate) recipient’s point of view, working knowledge. You read some juicy little factoid about a famous celebrity and… it makes you feel good. Chances are it’s not true, or only partially so, but knowing that little nugget of knowledge somehow makes you feel enlightened, powerful. “A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on” Winston Churchill famously said. There is a reason people peddle in lies and half-truths. There is a reason why newspaper editors ‘add one’ to death tallies or run with unnamed sources. And that’s the other, far more tricky problem: lies, if repeated enough by any kind of authority — a priest, a mother, a teacher — become truth. Cold hard truth that, within a generation, becomes wisdom.
We’re all walking around with a lot of data that we think is true. It’s a survival trait: our nurture is like gospel. And that’s bad when it overrides our nature, our experiences. We feel qualified to dispense these false truths to others.
‘You must have something wrong with your head’ we tell our friends and loved ones.
‘You shouldn’t do that, it’s wrong, it’s bad’ we say to our girlfriends and boyfriends.
‘How can you believe in that?’ we say to our friends with a differing faiths.
Anyone that’s mastered a field or subject will know that it feels a lot like peeling back layers of untruth — Oh, so that’s how it works! — that’s all real education is. It fills in gaps and rewrites what we’ve known and worked with for years. But it’s not easy. It’s no simple task to alter your entire vision of the world just because an encyclopaedia or wise man tells you to. How long did people hold onto the fact that the world was flat? That’s why false knowledge and data will continue to propagate through generations. We’re stubborn bastards.
Next time, before you pass along a piece of information, think about whether it’s actually true or not. If you’re not sure, go to the library and find out what the truth really is. At the very least you’ll be doing the next generation and tomorrow’s civilisation a huge favour.
* * *
Please excuse my use of the African American vernacular — dis, to disrespect – but it was necessary. It’s altogether more punchy than ‘Don’t go insulting what you don’t know nothing about.’
This isn’t finished. Next I want to tie this into religion, prejudice and ignorance.
Chase
Aug 24, 2009
your authority on this topic is astounding.
Whoompf!
(well said, friend. excitedly awaiting the followup posts)
sebastian
Aug 24, 2009
Don’t worry, the irony is not lost on me, considering I am writing about the authority of the written word…
This one doesn’t really reach a conclusion. Maybe more so tomorrow
Melissa
Aug 24, 2009
Yay, the library! I’m in love with that place, as my husband will attest.
Another thing absolutely plaguing the culture, at least in the USA, is this phenomenon in grammar, spelling, etc. “Someone texted this word to me so it must be how you spell it….” Or the “I THINK this is how you pronounce it….”
Put something in part 2 about how not to make your local expert grind his teeth in frustration at your inane assumptions!
sebastian
Aug 24, 2009
Ah, there you are Melissa!
It’s curious, the language thing. That was how language existed for thousands of years: phonetics or best-guessing. Thus the plague of apostrophe’s and approximations of vowel sounds.
And then people started using centralised dictionaries! Life was swell (or swel, or swelle, depending on your locale).
And now, ironically, we use automated spellcheckers, so we never learn how to spell. Hah.
I feel sorry for those few experts that remain in the public field. Most have escaped…
Helen
Aug 24, 2009
Nicely put, I look forward to the follow-ups!
Too bad that “truth” these days seems to be whatever is shouted loudest…
sebastian
Aug 24, 2009
Yes, because some evil bastard realised long ago (and we’re talking thousands of years ago) that it doesn’t really matter what you say, as long as it’s loud and with confidence.
We used to be more observant/critical of our surroundings though, back when being less critical = less chance of survival.
Nowadays… well, just look at the kind of people that are still alive…
Helen
Aug 24, 2009
I don’t know, I like to think we (well some of us) are more critical these days becasue there is more information available to sift through. Back in the day you would do whatever the wise old midwife said, regardless of whether it’s right or wrong because there was no other source of information. Now we can google it, go to the library, phone a friend… and so on…
sebastian
Aug 24, 2009
Ah, well… yes, information is free. Which is kind of the problem, but also part of the solution (insert something deep and meaningful about democracy/capitalism, etc.)
You’re right, we can seek more (possible) sources of information. But most of those sources have no authority (other than how many people have linked to it, or how many people have emailed it around the world — Coke is used to clean roads you know???)
We’re not trained to think critically, that’s the difference. Sure, some of us still do. I hope that video games are enough to make the new generation of computer-users more critical in their thought
Helen
Aug 24, 2009
Well there’s always personal experience (“in Street Fighter they can fall three stories and not get hurt! Let me try!”).
I think the solution is not in questioning ore (which we do need to do but anyway) it’s in asking the right people. I wouldn’t ask my hairdresser what to do about a broken leg (well I might but I wouldn’t give their answer too much credence). Kind of google scholar vs wikipedia?
sebastian
Aug 24, 2009
Yes, interrogating the right source is probably the key.
But how do you find the right source when everyone/everything is more than happy (whether you like or not) to give you their two pence worth…?
That’s the problem!
Helen
Aug 24, 2009
hmmm, are we allowed to kick them in the shins to test them? Might shut a few of them up as they’d have to form a support group to give advice to each other about how to deal with the bruising…
Melissa
Aug 24, 2009
Yes, I’ve been lost in the wilderness moving to Oregon for the last month or so…. and am now happily in Oregon again! What with the packing, crap-discarding, shipping, unpacking, shopping and baby tending, I haven’t had time to check in since the Faroe Islands!
This article brings up my favorite advice: “Don’t be an idiot!” We should pass that along to the support group, eh?
Better yet, it should be on t-shirts. Maybe then people would listen!
Shannon
Aug 24, 2009
It’s interesting that you talk about old wives tales being passed down through generations as truth. I work with a lot of first generation Vietnamese people and an older women in my office tells tales that are meant to shock and awe. When I hear them I know well enough that it’s merely an Aesop fable type truth to teach a lesson or provide forewarning. I am absolutely amazed at times when some coworkers (2nd generation) really believe it and I wonder if belief in these “truths” and stories have something to do with a person’s culture and thus will continue to be perpetuated. Or maybe if a person is more assimilated into Western culture and maybe even more educated, will they be able to see through the tale rather than believing for example that not eating all your rice as a child has a direct relation to what your future husband will look like. Very interesting subject, look forward to part2.
Jeney
Aug 24, 2009
Nice work, sir.
The whole religious aspect of this “authority” has had me torn between my feminist and liberal beliefs, the respect I have for my parents’ wishes, and an awful habit of feeling guilty when I sleep in on Sunday mornings.
I’m looking forward to your follow up!
Sarah
Aug 24, 2009
Nicely put. As a journalist I take very seriously the responsibility to do my utmost to report verifiable facts and speak to as many sources as possible but it’s not always easy and I know as well as anyone how easy it is for a newspaper to print incorrect information. It’s just as important for readers to take in what is printed with a critical eye.
Jaime | Fast Times
Aug 24, 2009
Religion, prejudice, and ignorance are three things that go along together regularly, unfortunately. I can’t wait for the next one!
Eleni
Aug 25, 2009
Haha, the term “truthiness” comes to mind.
What do you do when people are ignorant of what they’re ignorant of?
I’m slightly concerned about the next post… Don’t write anything that will make me feel obligated to write an extensive comment–my classes just started and I don’t have the time!
sebastian
Aug 25, 2009
(It’s late, I’m tired, so forgive me if I say something totally stupid. I doubt I will, but who knows!)
How about t-shirts with ‘Stop, Look, Listen’ or something similar… but it would have to be on everyone ELSE’S shirt, so you could be reminded everywhere you look. Or on our own, but mirrored… Hm…
Shannon — the problem is that ‘more educated’ is very hard to define. I think most ‘educators’ would agree that we are getting more stupid rather than more intelligent. Which is odd, considering how free and easily-obtainable information is today.
Maybe we peaked at the Industrial Revolution, back when kids were still often home-schooled or taught in small groups. And then classrooms of 50 or more students started to appear. And the purpose of schooling was perhaps lost in the fray.
I’m glad you’re doing your bit Sarah! Some papers do encourage critical analysis, but not enough do! Or perhaps people veer towards ‘easy reading’ tabloids because the accurate, critical broadsheets are too meaty for most mere mortals to understand.
(Again, once upon a time, you either read the ‘good’ papers or you didn’t read them at all, if you were illiterate! Newspapers used to be THE authority. I don’t know many wise people that trust newspapers nowadays… sad!)
The next one will sadly be a little more fiery, my dearest Eleni. I was just warming up when I realised this post would go from 700 to 1500 words in the blink of an eye. It’s bubbling up inside of me right now! But don’t feel compelled to challenge me, if you have more important things to do…
Eleni
Aug 25, 2009
But in the spirit of these posts, would I not be obligated to challenge you if you were to make any unsupported claims or leave gaping holes in your argument (as you are wont to do)? *Sigh.* Just make my life easier and be complete. Take all the posts you want.
Jean
Aug 25, 2009
Since I just started a new semester of teaching Composition (primarily to University freshmen), I love the timing of this post. One thing that’s amazed me as an instructor is how reluctant students often are to look anything up. Whether we’re talking about looking up the meaning of a word in the dictionary or opening a style guide to see what MLA format (aka the required format for any and all assignments they give me) even is. But, of course, that’s the big part of my job, getting these students to realize that doing just a little bit of research is worthwhile. Ditto for questioning where they find their information and thinking critically about it and how credible it actually is, etc.
On a side note, last semester, a couple of my classes read “Is Google Making Us Stupid” by Nicholas Carr. It made for some really interesting class discussion.
Sebastian's mother
Aug 25, 2009
Excellent points darling. Of course, everything that I have ever told you is true, you can take that as a fact.
Ooh, I must pop out to buy you some more Immac for your hands, dear….
Mr. Apron
Aug 25, 2009
Oh, Sebby-Debby-Doo. Excellent rant. Just capital.
I must confess, on a slightly unrelated topic, I am exceedingly jealous that your mother does not only read, but comments on your blog. My mother does not have an email address, nor does she know how to turn on her cell-phone. You are a lucky, lucky boy, hairy palms and all.
I envision your mum as looking like Terry Jones in drag, but, then again, I think all middle-aged British women look like pepperpots. I know they don’t, really, but that’s what my own, personal intelllectual authority tells me to think.
sebastian
Aug 25, 2009
She reads my blog as, apart from the occasional phonecall, it was her only way of keeping track of what I was up to at university. Unfortunately (or fortunately) the subject matter of the blog has matured a little, but still she persists with the reading! (And she enjoys it, from what I can gather… at least my hot dinners haven’t lowered in quality at all…)
Terry Jones? Really?
Sebastian's mother
Aug 25, 2009
Mr. Apron… you are a VERY NAUGHTY BOY!
Angie
Aug 25, 2009
I only blog on my own experiences, and if I’m not completely sure I either don’t write about it at all or I do some research at several different reliable sources. The teachers in my college always told us not to use Wikipedia because it can be unreliable.
I also have this little voice or my gut instinct that is usually right.
Mr. Apron
Aug 26, 2009
Dear Sebby Mum,
It is every Anglophile’s fantasy to be told “you are a VERY NAUGHTY BOY!” by a British woman. Definitely brings to mind Terry Jones’ finest moment in “Life of Brian” where she screams at Brian’s followers,
“He’s NOT the Messiah! He’s a VERY NAUGHTY BOY!”
I take it that’s where you were going with that.
Thank you. My life is now complete.
sebastian
Aug 26, 2009
Of course that’s where she was going with it, Apron. My mum’s almost as intelligent as me, i.e. very damn intelligent.
And Brits love nothing more than to have a joke explained to them by an American. Normally it’s the other way around. How refreshing; It’ll make her day, punk!
Now I must wander over to today’s blog and respond to dear Eleni…
Sebastian's mother
Aug 26, 2009
Dear Mr. Apron,
I am soo pleased to have made your day, your year, nay your life!
This makes me very happy indeed. And yes, as Sebby says, it was lovely to have my own joke explained to me. It is all much clearer now.
Love and kisses
Sebby Mum.
PS, I have to admit that I do look a tad like Terry Jones in drag, you were right!
Eleni
Aug 27, 2009
Hmm, it looks like your blog really did eat my comment. Let’s try this again. I may give up if it doesn’t work this time
Comment:
I <3 Seb's mom.
And I needed the joke explained. It's been a long time since I've seen Life of Brian. I saw it when I was 14, and I remember this because we watched it in our Confirmation class.
Seb, I'm sure you've responded beautifully to my concerns by now, but I can't say when I'll get around to reading it. Classes, draft of a paper due in a couple days, plus I have to take my grandmother to the dentist… Trying hard not to be distracted (though the fact I'm responding to this means I'm not doing too well so far). You understand.
The Demigoddess
Aug 27, 2009
Anyone can be a blogger, anyone can post content on the internet. This makes the authority of the written word even more difficult to establish. While people who have more experience know more, it isn’t always that they have the ability to communicate what they know through writing. I suppose the authority of the written word nowadays lies on who can best write about a topic, whether the content is true or not, and the reach of the blogs/articles.
sebastian
Aug 27, 2009
Yep, bang on, Demi. Authority shifted from those that actually knew what they were talking about… to those that _sounded_ like they knew what they were talking about.
So basically, today, you have a lot of people talking noisily about random shit… while the real authorities, the scientists, the experienced lecturers — they’re all bouncing around at the back trying to be heard…