Note: These things have been on my mind for a while, but I only recently decided to put it in soapbox form. Although, the spot on which it belonged was a bit confusing, so I decided, "It's about me. I'll put it on the Users spot."
I've been thinking a lot about how I come off around here, and in general. I recently finished a very verbose post over at the debate spot concerning evolution, and upon posting it wondered if I had been too condescending. I realized that I have probably irked a few people in that spot with my language, particularly in the evolution debate. First of all, I am naturally long-winded. This is obvious, everyone who knows me here should know that. As a consequence, my posts seem to be very information-heavy, and not all of it sticks or sinks in. That's my own fault, and I recognize it. I need to work on being succinct. I shall try.
However, there is another consequence to my verbosity. I tend to come off as a jaded, arrogant professor, lecturing to her class of freshmen students. You obviously don't know what I know so I am going to tell you, whether you want to hear it or not. And as a result, the "students," who feel disrespected, tune out and ignore the professor, which tends to disadvantage both parties.
I suppose my purpose for writing this soapbox is this: I acknowledge that I am condescending and arrogant. But I don't care. I have an unquenchable thirst for knowledge that I assume everyone shares, and so I often spill the irrelevant (and often dull) details of things that I have learned to anyone who will listen and find that no one finds it as fascinating as I do. From the link to link, I have been known to rant on many-a-subject that I have recently been devouring information on. And I am used to the typical, "Yeah, we don't care" response, and it is a response I can respect. But I have decided I am not apologizing for these rants, because I'll bet someone may get as excited as me about it, and it will improve their life and general knowledge just a little bit. While I encourage curiosity, I hold no grudge against those who would rather not expand their horizons. I may feel a little sad at their loss, and this may come off as pity or condescension, but so be it.
Mostly, though, when it comes to knowledge, I encourage everyone to not be afraid of the response "I don't know," to any question posed. I have said it many times all over this place, and have asked for information on things that I do not know. While I may regurgitate information, I also ingest it. I actively seek it out. I become excited when I find a topic I have not explored, especially in the debate spot, where there tend to be very polarized opinions that give me very interesting insights to the topic.
All in all-- I am young. I am naive. I am arrogant, and I am stupid. Stupid, because I still think that I am invincible. That I can go out and conquer the world with what I know. That I can change it. That everyone is worth meeting, and that everyone has a new perspective to share.
One day, when I'm older, I may grow bitter. But today I am content to remain arrogant and stupid. Because I am still better and smarter than you.
I've been thinking a lot about how I come off around here, and in general. I recently finished a very verbose post over at the debate spot concerning evolution, and upon posting it wondered if I had been too condescending. I realized that I have probably irked a few people in that spot with my language, particularly in the evolution debate. First of all, I am naturally long-winded. This is obvious, everyone who knows me here should know that. As a consequence, my posts seem to be very information-heavy, and not all of it sticks or sinks in. That's my own fault, and I recognize it. I need to work on being succinct. I shall try.
However, there is another consequence to my verbosity. I tend to come off as a jaded, arrogant professor, lecturing to her class of freshmen students. You obviously don't know what I know so I am going to tell you, whether you want to hear it or not. And as a result, the "students," who feel disrespected, tune out and ignore the professor, which tends to disadvantage both parties.
I suppose my purpose for writing this soapbox is this: I acknowledge that I am condescending and arrogant. But I don't care. I have an unquenchable thirst for knowledge that I assume everyone shares, and so I often spill the irrelevant (and often dull) details of things that I have learned to anyone who will listen and find that no one finds it as fascinating as I do. From the link to link, I have been known to rant on many-a-subject that I have recently been devouring information on. And I am used to the typical, "Yeah, we don't care" response, and it is a response I can respect. But I have decided I am not apologizing for these rants, because I'll bet someone may get as excited as me about it, and it will improve their life and general knowledge just a little bit. While I encourage curiosity, I hold no grudge against those who would rather not expand their horizons. I may feel a little sad at their loss, and this may come off as pity or condescension, but so be it.
Mostly, though, when it comes to knowledge, I encourage everyone to not be afraid of the response "I don't know," to any question posed. I have said it many times all over this place, and have asked for information on things that I do not know. While I may regurgitate information, I also ingest it. I actively seek it out. I become excited when I find a topic I have not explored, especially in the debate spot, where there tend to be very polarized opinions that give me very interesting insights to the topic.
All in all-- I am young. I am naive. I am arrogant, and I am stupid. Stupid, because I still think that I am invincible. That I can go out and conquer the world with what I know. That I can change it. That everyone is worth meeting, and that everyone has a new perspective to share.
One day, when I'm older, I may grow bitter. But today I am content to remain arrogant and stupid. Because I am still better and smarter than you.