INTELLECTUAL RESPONSIBILITY
My youngest sister was teaching my niece how to pronounce some words the other day, unfortunately she did not do a good job as she did not know the right pronunciation to those words. Although English is the official language in Nigeria, we still have our local dialects which interference in way we speak English. This is by the way, what I'm driving at is: although my sister's knowledge is imperfect, she still shared it anyway, and this might have a negative effect on my niece's education (it's really not that deep, but I hope you get my point).
Over the years I have watched my perspective regarding some many things change countless times. Unfortunately, many have been recipients of my knowledge. Some have consolidated this information I have shared and made them a core part of their lives, while I on the other hand have debunked these myths and moved on to superior knowledge. There is a certain guilt that accompanies this realisation-- that I have been spewing a lot of incorrect opinions as facts over the years and I have not been held accountable for it.
I wonder if people ever get scared about sharing their knowledge sometimes. We say a whole lot of incorrect things with so much confidence in our knowledge, not knowing that these same things, in a couple of years time, might mean nothing to us, but might be a major factor in informing other people's decisions. Take for example the personality of Paul in Bible, who at first persecuted Christians only later to become a pioneer of the gospel of Christ. It must have been an awkward situation for him, trying to convert the same people pushed away from Christ.
I think the permissibility of my opinions is one of the reasons I stop sharing them in the first place, and why I opted for other means of expression through my poems, journals, and short stories. The content of such things are based on my experience or fabrication and cannot be tagged as facts or opinions. It's safer that way.
I see a lot of people putting disclaimers on their posts. Although this might help avid legal prosecution, but doesn't it weigh on their conscious sometimes? Do they consider the fact that their post (s) might be misleading and might inform people's decision regardless of their warnings?
"Well that's not on them."
Really?
I think we should be more conscious of the content we create. Our knowledge cannot be perfect and sometimes it might help if we have this at the back of our minds, so we become receptive to other people's opinion and that we do not write with an air of superiority, thinking we know more and better.
Although we may not able to compensate for all of our erroneous thoughts we should take responsibility of them. That way we become more careful with the things we say. I have said so many things in the past that are wrong, however, I still feel responsible for them because they are my words. And if they've had a negative impact on another's life then that is on me too, I will have to live with it.
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While I agree with you in concept most time disclaimers are important to provide necessary information and factors in considering the content being provided. While I think we sometimes tend to over do it, it is because of how certain jurisdictions are very strict on who can say what due to suitability and regulatory requirements. “This is not financial advice” is a common caveat said and should be that way because the reader does not really know the qualifications of the author and may think his opinion is a recommendation. I think it depends on the situation most of the time.
valid. but you will also agree that this, most times, does not deter people from using these information given by the supposed unqualified persons. if from a popular figure it is almost certain that may will subscribe to it. like you said, it is based on the situation. I just feel that we should take more care when saying certain things, this wont stop us from making errors but it will have an impression on our conscious.
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My question is, where does this sense of right and wrong come from? Things have been passed on to us for so long that we believe something is right only for the sake of it. And how can we say that our way of speaking English is wrong, when native speakers themselves have varied their styles as they have moved to different places and ways.
And isn't it just a way of life, that we share things. Sharing is the core concept of our survival. We share what we know.
there are standards for everything. You cannot speak or write pigin which is our local way of speaking english in a forml exam, that will result in failure. I did not categorically say our way of speaking is wrong, I simply said that our local dialect influences our way of speaking.
once upon a time killing twin babies was a norm in certain parts of our continent; once upon a time being rascist was okay. it was a way of life until people started asking questions and weighing on its merit.
imagine if that was the excuse our teachers gave for filling our minds with trash. igorance is not an excuse. we must constantly introspect and evaluate our knowledge. thats the only reason we have come far as a species
We are ever evolving, hopefully for the better. Which just shows mankind in general has always made mistakes and preached the wrong thing. At times the truth has been told by some, only to have them imprisoned for going against current beliefs. It's taken generations for that truth to be confirmed.
Often we have to learn things differently, depending on the situation or company we're in. Academically things are taught one way and we do it that way to pass exams. It's it always accurate? Not necessarily, but you jump through the hoops to achieve your exam certificate.
There is an ongoing joke in Australia, because history here teaches that Captain Cook discovered Australia. Even if we discount the fact that there was already a native population, many other people came to Australia before that for trading or "discovering."
We all make mistakes and at the time believe what we're saying is correct, especially in our younger years when we're still learning so much. There is no point betting ourselves up about it. Just continue to learn and maybe move forward with a bit of humbleness.
I was thinking more in a what-if kind of way. But my way of thinking leads to nowhere. I kind of take social medias in this way.
Great analysis. Now that i know the seriousness of your discussions, i will have my questions ready for the next.
Great work and great writing my friend. I value it so much.
You are welcome mate. We can all learn and relearn a thing or two. Your comments are appreciated