When helping my colleague to prepare disinfectant
yesterday, I was ridiculed by her for not knowing how to prepare 70% ethanol.
It was not that I was ignorant; it was just a case
of recollection. I last prepared ethanol myself almost two to three years ago
and it had escaped my mind ever since. A little spark would help me refresh my weakened memory.
But no, it’s almost a capital sin for asking this
little but significant question. Our custom dictates that it’s better to keep
quiet and remain ignorant rather than opening our mouth and asking this
supposedly silly question.
Throughout my learning years, and I perceive my
whole life as a learning process, I regard knowledge as sacred. Every little
thing that I have little or no information about, I will ask question and did a
light reading. I did not assume something to be true unless after I gleaned a
bit of information relevant to the subject first. Facts are very important to
me and I hold it dear to my heart.
I noticed
nowadays, our so-called experts are reluctant to admit that they were clueless
about certain details pertaining to their subject matters, but they are quick
to condemn other people who commit basic mistakes in subject related to their
expertise.
Admit when you have no information or knowledge
about something; it won’t lower your stature. Don’t deride when somebody is
asking you a seemingly silly question; it won’t elevate your status.
Now hold on while I'm preparing my ethanol.
