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Knowledge Bloat

 


Arianna Huffington, author, and co-founder of the Huffington Post, once wrote, “Ours is a generation bloated with information and starved for wisdom.” It is an interesting paradox, isn’t it? Yet so true. We have nearly unlimited access to information, but without the wisdom to wield that knowledge, it is ineffective. It’s like having all the pieces to a puzzle, but no idea how to fit them together or what the puzzle is supposed to look like. We often lack the framework to make the knowledge useful.

We react rather than think. We are educated yet ignorant. We make statements and accusations instead of asking questions. And when we do inquire, we listen to respond rather than listen to learn. We are quick to form opinions, but slow to consider alternatives. We have unlimited data, but discernment is scarce.

Information and knowledge are great tools, but like any great tools, they are only beneficial when operated effectively. And like many tools, when misused, they can be quite dangerous.

Seeking knowledge is important. But we must also pursue wisdom.  

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