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Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Career / It Is A Fallacy That No Knowledge Is a Wasted one (27633 Views)
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Re: It Is A Fallacy That No Knowledge Is a Wasted one by AjanleKoko: 10:08pm On Sep 01, 2013 |
esere826: I was thinking more about the 10,000 hour rule. Rather than developing advanced competencies in their primary field of study, people prefer to expend their energies on becoming Jack-of-all-trades. Case in point Pep Guardiola, who learnt German in record time, after getting the FC Bayern manager job. Imagine if, after playing soccer, he focused on learning languages rather than developing the competencies that won him 14 titles at Barca. He would have at best become a multi-lingual soccer pundit. 4 Likes |
Re: It Is A Fallacy That No Knowledge Is a Wasted one by Serendipity: 10:42pm On Sep 01, 2013 |
AjanleKoko:Reminds me of Malcom Gladwel's ''Outliers'' I have seeen just the excerpts though. People are just uncomfortable with questioning conventional ways of doing things. They prefer to stick to the status quo. That's why students are fed with baloney that will have no bearing on their lives. The same old curricula. Doleful 2 Likes 1 Share |
Re: It Is A Fallacy That No Knowledge Is a Wasted one by uceee(m): 2:48am On Sep 02, 2013 |
No good knowledge or skill gained is truly a waste. But we have to be careful about trying to know everything and then end up not being very good at any particular thing, including our chosen area of specialization. Yes, there is an opportunity cost to learning things you don't see yourself needing immediately. You spend time, energy and maybe money. However, it is better to learn something unrelated to your area of specialization than to sit around doing nothing. The knowledge gained will be worth it. If it is a mentally challenging activity, you will benefit a lot from it mentally. "The brain once expanded to complete a task, never returns to its original dimensions." If it is a physically challenging skill, the health, physical gains will be worth it. Someone also suggested learning on demand which is also very good. But when you need that skill, you may not have the time to go and learn it before an opportunity is lost. You may also measure the cost vs benefit of acquiring it at that time and decide to not acquire the skill. Not knowing that you'll still need it next time. So whenever you have time and cannot learn a skill directly related to your work, learn anything you can get your hands on. 8 Likes |
Re: It Is A Fallacy That No Knowledge Is a Wasted one by Serendipity: 9:34am On Sep 02, 2013 |
uceee: No good knowledge or skill gained is truly a waste. But we have to be careful about trying to know everything and then end up not being very good at any particular thing, including our chosen area of specialization. Yes, there is an opportunity cost to learning things you don't see yourself needing immediately. You spend time, energy and maybe money. However, it is better to learn something unrelated to your area of specialization than to sit around doing nothing. The knowledge gained will be worth it. If it is a mentally challenging activity, you will benefit a lot from it mentally. "The brain once expanded to complete a task, never returns to its original dimensions." If it is a physically challenging skill, the health, physical gains will be worth it. Someone also suggested learning on demand which is also very good. But when you need that skill, you may not have the time to go and learn it before an opportunity is lost. You may also measure the cost vs benefit of acquiring it at that time and decide to not acquire the skill. Not knowing that you'll still need it next time. So whenever you have time and cannot learn a skill directly related to your work, learn anything you can get your hands on.Thank you but I can never learn how to make cakes because the possibility of my using that knowledge is infinitesimal. |
Re: It Is A Fallacy That No Knowledge Is a Wasted one by uceee(m): 10:39am On Sep 02, 2013 |
Serendipity:That may be true. You do not have to go out of your way to learn how to bake. But if you find yourself with a baker who is willing to teach you, and you have the time to learn (perhaps you are on holiday). Should you not learn how to bake instead of going to watch a boring movie or sleep? You may never make money from baking, but you could earn someones regard, admiration with your baking skills. For you, baking cakes is a skill worth having as far as there is a chance you may need it (though its infinitesimal). Imagine this scenario: You have organised an event for the staff in the company you work. For some reason, the cake is supposed to be baked there (you may want to avoid transporting it, or want it eaten while its still warm). Everything is set, but the baker has been delayed (maybe traffic). You could simply start the baking, so that the baker can finish up when he arrives. The cake gets baked in time, you win the admiration of anyone who knows what you did. You would have effectively used skills you just learnt for fun. You could also correct any baker trying to spoil your show with a not-so-well baked cake. I have to say this to avoid misinterpretation, it wouldn't be wise for you to go out of your way to learn how to bake. After all, you have not learnt ALL there is to learn in your career. 10 Likes |
Re: It Is A Fallacy That No Knowledge Is a Wasted one by Serendipity: 1:37pm On Sep 02, 2013 |
uceee: That may be true. You do not have to go out of your way to learn how to bake. But if you find yourself with a baker who is willing to teach you, and you have the time to learn (perhaps you are on holiday). Should you not learn how to bake instead of going to watch a boring movie or sleep? You may never make money from baking, but you could earn someones regard, admiration with your baking skills. For you, baking cakes is a skill worth having as far as there is a chance you may need it (though its infinitesimal). Imagine this scenario: You have organised an event for the staff in the company you work. For some reason, the cake is supposed to be baked there (you may want to avoid transporting it, or want it eaten while its still warm). Everything is set, but the baker has been delayed (maybe traffic). You could simply start the baking, so that the baker can finish up when he arrives. The cake gets baked in time, you win the admiration of anyone who knows what you did. You would have effectively used skills you just learnt for fun. You could also correct any baker trying to spoil your show with a not-so-well baked cake. I have to say this to avoid misinterpretation, it wouldn't be wise for you to go out of your way to learn how to bake. After all, you have not learnt ALL there is to learn in your career.Glad you understood. |
Re: It Is A Fallacy That No Knowledge Is a Wasted one by AjanleKoko: 7:54pm On Sep 02, 2013 |
1 Like |
Re: It Is A Fallacy That No Knowledge Is a Wasted one by birdman(m): 2:32am On Sep 03, 2013 |
AjanleKoko: Some related gist: The thought of an MBA reviewing my code just makes me shiver. It takes 5-6 years of experience and continuous improvement to write competent, high-end code. I can see how a thorough programming course can help manage developers and schedules better, but I'd be wary about throwing an MBA onto any serious project. I wouldn't even let an MBA hire coders - you simply dont know what to look for, and will end up relying on keywords, which almost always get you the wrong guy. |
Re: It Is A Fallacy That No Knowledge Is a Wasted one by AjanleKoko: 8:58am On Sep 03, 2013 |
birdman: Hmm. You have a good point. Though, I think the coding spectrum extends across a wide range, from basic macro development and SQL statements, to industrial-strength applications. IMO, every professional needs to have at least an above-average appreciation of IT tools. You can make a whole lot of difference, and save your company thousands of dollars otherwise spent on IT consultants, if you're able to do a fair bit of data analysis using Excel or Access, or automate a few processes using VBA macros. These days, even specialist applications like AutoCAD provide programming extensions and APIs that professionals can use to extend the functionality of those tools. My judgement: as long as it's directly relevant to your field, additional IT skills will always serve you (and your organization) well. |
Re: It Is A Fallacy That No Knowledge Is a Wasted one by esere826: 1:38pm On Sep 03, 2013 |
esere826: Serendipity: Lean management = Save resources (financial/human/time etc) by doing only what is required without wasting resources on 'valueless' extras. Just-in-time = reduce waste of space by doing things at the right time. In rough summary, doing the right thing (lean) at the right time (JIT) An example of a girl using both principles in dating: a) Instead of dating 8 men in the span of 6 years before finally getting married,which is a waste of time and her 'resources' b) she'll instead seek to date the one man that she is very sure that she will marry. She might also date him for a month or less before they get married. Her time has thus been saved on heartbreaks, and her 'resources' have been left undepleted ....sheit....i am just a chauvanist 2 Likes |
Re: It Is A Fallacy That No Knowledge Is a Wasted one by nitrogen(m): 10:08pm On Sep 03, 2013 |
esere826:Prof, you and this your funny illustrations shaa, why not a business related one? Or you think he won't understand? He should since you will use a very simple one, meanwhile these two concepts are not uncommon outside the business world. |
Re: It Is A Fallacy That No Knowledge Is a Wasted one by birdman(m): 3:26am On Sep 04, 2013 |
AjanleKoko: True enough. Coding is a very wide range and even a little coding knowledge makes it easy to use APIs. If I were choosing a course for these MBAs, I'd go for Python hands down though. Running the gamut from C to PHP is guaranteed to confuse more than help in the long run.
relevance and MBAs in the same paragraph. sighs. |
Re: It Is A Fallacy That No Knowledge Is a Wasted one by Serendipity: 5:34am On Sep 04, 2013 |
uceee: That may be true. You do not have to go out of your way to learn how to bake. But if you find yourself with a baker who is willing to teach you, and you have the time to learn (perhaps you are on holiday). Should you not learn how to bake instead of going to watch a boring movie or sleep? You may never make money from baking, but you could earn someones regard, admiration with your baking skills. For you, baking cakes is a skill worth having as far as there is a chance you may need it (though its infinitesimal). Imagine this scenario: You have organised an event for the staff in the company you work. For some reason, the cake is supposed to be baked there (you may want to avoid transporting it, or want it eaten while its still warm). Everything is set, but the baker has been delayed (maybe traffic). You could simply start the baking, so that the baker can finish up when he arrives. The cake gets baked in time, you win the admiration of anyone who knows what you did. You would have effectively used skills you just learnt for fun. You could also correct any baker trying to spoil your show with a not-so-well baked cake. I have to say this to avoid misinterpretation, it wouldn't be wise for you to go out of your way to learn how to bake. After all, you have not learnt ALL there is to learn in your career. |
Re: It Is A Fallacy That No Knowledge Is a Wasted one by AjanleKoko: 7:56am On Sep 04, 2013 |
birdman: I see you noticed the inference in the original article. These days, you have doctors, lawyers, architects, and MBAs being referred to, as if MBA was a profession in itself 1 Like |
Re: It Is A Fallacy That No Knowledge Is a Wasted one by Serendipity: 12:58pm On Sep 08, 2013 |
Serendipity: Gaining knowledge |
Re: It Is A Fallacy That No Knowledge Is a Wasted one by Serendipity: 6:39am On Nov 06, 2013 |
back |
Re: It Is A Fallacy That No Knowledge Is a Wasted one by Serendipity: 7:06pm On Dec 20, 2013 |
Back |
Re: It Is A Fallacy That No Knowledge Is a Wasted one by visasubagent: 8:55pm On Oct 06, 2014 |
Well, I dont quite agree |
Re: It Is A Fallacy That No Knowledge Is a Wasted one by MrRhymes101(m): 9:40am On Oct 07, 2014 |
Its obviously a fallacy 1 Like |
Re: It Is A Fallacy That No Knowledge Is a Wasted one by secretcode01: 9:46am On Oct 07, 2014 |
Knowledge is power! But it depends on the kinda knowledge you got and the importance of it. 1 Like |
Re: It Is A Fallacy That No Knowledge Is a Wasted one by Nobody: 9:49am On Oct 07, 2014 |
@Op in practical setting your position seems in order to a large extent but unfortunately in a subtle way that is not the case. We human process and handle task by two different system. Say A and B, where system A tends to scan our memory for related information without us thinking seriously about it. This process handles familiar situation while the B comes alive if A fails to provide solution or provides incomplete response . B goes into critical assessment mode in which case it draws its source from system A. The way the human mind works is that when faced with a task it scans for similar skills you would be amazed what skill it actually relies on for you to get some task done or keep up some conversation. I also have to admit that most time you may be using a minute part of acquired skill in solving a problem in an entirely seemingly unrelated activities without even knowing. let me stop here on the move.. 3 Likes |
Re: It Is A Fallacy That No Knowledge Is a Wasted one by spinna: 9:49am On Oct 07, 2014 |
If knowledge is not consciously used it is unconsciously used, interacting with and influencing knowledge that is currently being used. All knowledge is good because u never know when u'll need it .eg the ability to swim or ride a motorbike may seem irrelevant till some emergency makes that formerly "useless" knowledge the difference between life and death. Knowledge is power, the more u know, the stronger you are. 2 Likes 1 Share |
Re: It Is A Fallacy That No Knowledge Is a Wasted one by MovingMax: 9:52am On Oct 07, 2014 |
@ Op with due respect, please no knowledge acquaired is a waste. U may use it directly or inderectly |
Re: It Is A Fallacy That No Knowledge Is a Wasted one by 2cato: 9:56am On Oct 07, 2014 |
After finishing secomdary i learnt how to ground soak and dried corn, cassava, groundnut and rice soak and dry. That was roughly 25 years ago. I threw the knowlegde away and went to the higher institution up to masters level. After working for some years SLS wahala came arround and i decided to practice what i learnt 25 years ago. Low and behold the milling business is so profitable that i am thinking of not going to look for job. 3 Likes |
Re: It Is A Fallacy That No Knowledge Is a Wasted one by Nobody: 9:59am On Oct 07, 2014 |
Serendipity:U never know when that little knowledge that seems irrelevant may save your life |
Re: It Is A Fallacy That No Knowledge Is a Wasted one by slap1(m): 9:59am On Oct 07, 2014 |
For example, I don't see how theLet's say you're defending someone who allegedly killed someone at a different location when he confessed to have been making cakes somewhere else in the same timeframe. Don't you think knowledge of cake-making (and the time it takes to make a particular type) would help you argue the case? Sometime ago, a guy on this forum confessed he's gainfully employed because he's good with AutoCAD which he grudgingly decided to learn from a friend back in school. Another person I know is comfortable as a teacher of sign language which he also learnt as a past-time. So knowledge from any source at all is potentially valuable. 1 Like |
Re: It Is A Fallacy That No Knowledge Is a Wasted one by lawrenceunaa: 9:59am On Oct 07, 2014 |
MovingMax:thank you my bro in life sometimes we might need skills that we acquired long time ago of which wasn't useful then |
Re: It Is A Fallacy That No Knowledge Is a Wasted one by Nobody: 10:01am On Oct 07, 2014 |
Serendipity:If there is war, your knowledge of law is an utter waste of time and that of a baker and tailor is a gold mine. No knowledge can ever be a waste! 1 Like |
Re: It Is A Fallacy That No Knowledge Is a Wasted one by Nobody: 10:02am On Oct 07, 2014 |
this op has little knowledge and plenty ego. everything he knows and the little he has so decidedly chosen to learn, all could be stood on their heads peradventure a war situation arose. I'm sure he doesn't have any control over a sweeping humanitarian crisis/civil strife/emergency 1 Like |
Re: It Is A Fallacy That No Knowledge Is a Wasted one by redcliff: 10:08am On Oct 07, 2014 |
Serendipity: [size=14pt]with this post of yours, its safe to say you are intelligently dumb[/size] 6 Likes |
Re: It Is A Fallacy That No Knowledge Is a Wasted one by NaLaugh: 10:09am On Oct 07, 2014 |
The OP has presented a poor delivery of his point. The key point the OP attempts to deliver is this: Prioritize your time and resources as it relates to knowledge acquisition. That is a very valid point. HOWEVER, the notion that any information, skill, knowledge etc obtained can be 100% identified as useless is only valid to a shallow thinker. The busy lawyer who took the time on some weekend 5 years ago to learn to bake the meanest chocolate fudge cake, might eventually have this "irrelevant" skill be responsible for a "lady-friend" falling in love with him. Of all things- not his cash, not his booming law practice, but his simplicity and finesse in the craft of fudge cake baking Consequently, --> marriage --> kids etc. all a direct result of one weekend of "irrelevant knowledge" In life, it's the little things that count. 4 Likes |
Re: It Is A Fallacy That No Knowledge Is a Wasted one by morbid: 10:09am On Oct 07, 2014 |
Abeg,you and sabiguy,who sabi smfin pass? I've never seen a discernible mind like yours. Naija z rili blessed;na just brain drain D̶̲̥̅̊є̲̣̥y̲̅ kill us. SaintChukz: 1 Like |
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