I write less than I used to. As time goes by I am becoming convinced that I don’t have anything original or interesting to say.
When I was young I was much smarter. Wisdom came to me so fast I couldn’t explain it all.
But, over the years I’ve come to realize the older I get and the more I learn, the more I realize how little I know.
That was an original thought when I thunk it. Nobody enlightened me. I had never heard or read anything like it. It was a brilliant and original epiphany. But now we have the Internet and ego crushing reality is just a search away.
A minute ago I typed “The more I learn…” into Google and here’s what popped up:
The more you learn, the more you know. The more you know, the more you forget. The more you forget, the less you know. So why bother to learn? — George Bernard Shaw
And:
The more you know, the less you understand. — Lao-Tse
And the real stunner:
The more I learn, the more I learn how little I know. — Socrates
Socrates had my original thought some 2,400 years before I did and said it more succinctly!
AND, in ancient Greek!
Worse yet, I’ll bet he wasn’t the first guy to figure this out, either. He just had a tremendous publicist.
I suppose having an idea expressed by one of the great thinkers in history come to me all by itself is cool but there’s no point in my passing it along. It obviously occurs to everybody eventually.
Plus, if we all regurgitated every brilliantly mundane original thought we have what would become of the poor philosophy majors who have nothing else to do with their educations?
The other reason I don’t write much anymore is because Americans don’t read much anymore.
We don’t consume information, we spew it.
We Tweet. We text. We spend our days expressing every banal thought that crosses our mind in such a way that we don’t have to bother hearing or reading a response.
Maybe we don’t want response. We’re just spewin’.
Maybe we’re just trying to shut off the noise and hear ourselves think.
I could be wrong about this.
Maybe, but how can I know?
I’ve learned so much, so fast, I’m rushing toward total ignorance.
Nothin’ from nothin’ leaves nothin’,
You gotta have somethin’ if you wanna be with me.
A 1974 flashback there from Billy Preston, Dave:)
I think many bloggers are writing less than they used to. People can make a digital footprint much quicker on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. I haven’t taken the plunge on the latter and don’t need to. I think good ol’ human interaction is much better in “The Long Run” (Eagles from ’79) but many people are just “short sighted” thinking the world revolves around them.
Best,
Ralph Hass
I Love you. You are a very smart man. XOXO
Well thought out blogs with interesting perspective beat the Hell out of the more and more meandering posts, selfies, look at me moments on Facebook. I have recently lost respect for some friends who feel the need to put every thought, every moment, every selfie, every meal (photo) in a post. It’s not normal or healthy. What a bunch of self centered people, can you imagine the “greatest generation” posting about the veggie burrito they just scarfed down is of interest to all their “FB friends”, or even worse delving into personal issues and problems that should remain personal.
You’ve got PLENTY.
I am the anonymous person above who forgot to type in a name.
Well I personally disagree with the comment left by the DR.
I rather enjoy reading the silly things my friends and family post. The burrito they had for lunch. Call me crazy but it makes me feel connected. Would I like something more titillating? Yes but not everyone has the wit my husband naturally has. I’ll take what I can get and enjoy every selfie they post thank you very much.
FB has something for everyone. If you don’t like what your friends post then maybe you should rethink your friendship. No big loss for them.
Having had the joy and privilege of performing two of your brilliantly written plays, I hang on to every word you say, my friend. NEVER stop writing.
When I was in High School we memorized this short poem and it made a lasting impression on me:
He who knows not and knows not that he knows not, is a fool … shun him.
He who knows not and knows that he knows not, is a student … teach him.
He who knows and knows not that he knows, is asleep … wake him.
He who knows and knows that he knows, is a wise man … follow him.
This poem is attributed to: Ancient Sanskrit writing, Confucius, Chinese Proverb, Persian Apothegm, Persian Proverb, and Sir Richard Burton. Who knows when, where, or with whom this was an original thought? Perhaps we are simply students of life trying to attain wisdom. I know you have taught me a great deal over the years and given me even more to think about. Please don’t stop writing.