How many people in our society speak with authority about a topic or make decisions regarding certain subjects that they are clueless about? There are three types of people faced with a decision: There’s those who know and really do know; there’s those who don’t know and admit (or don’t admit) they don’t know; and there’s those who THINK THEY KNOW but REALLY DON’T KNOW. The third type is the most dangerous.
People who speak with authority on subjects that they have very little or no knowledge about are called “Pseudo-Intellects.” Lately, more and more of these pseudo-intellects are popping up on the political scene. The public is being led down the road by them. These people operate at many levels: from lower to higher levels of government and in the corporate world as well. Many of these individuals are in the public spotlight (i.e. celebrities).
One does not expect an individual to be knowledgeable on all subject matters. If an individual doesn’t know something, they should do their homework and become informed before they make a decision on a subject matter that is brought in front of them. To do this, one must rely on a reliable source of information, whether it be a specialist, the proper literature written by a specialist or at least a knowledgeable individual.
People are often apathetic about government. They don’t care about the issues until it affects them. How many times did you hear from someone, “I didn’t know this was going on and look what happened! If I knew about this, I could have done something about it.” By this time, it’s too late and after the fact, or as Julius Caesar put it, “The die is cast.” (iacta alea est).
What can you do about it? “Knowledge is Power,” (Francis Bacon). Read the newspaper: online or in print, watch or listen to the news – stay informed. If you want to know what’s going on, or have a complaint or even have something positive to say – attend public meetings. Come and speak out! Have your voice heard. It’s the only way to that you can have control over what goes on. One person can make a difference. If a law is successful on a local level, municipalities will use your town as an example and so on and so on.
As with any field or career choice, there are people in (or not in) government that really care about the issues they face, and there are people that care about their own personal or political careers or their own financial gain. The public puts their trust in many of these decision makers who are often self-motivated and have their own agendas. They feed off the weak like hungry piranha and give the public the old razzle dazzle.
But if one’s goals are truly and honest and without any strings or hidden agendas attached, one will make the right decisions and benefit both themselves and the public they serve. “Be sure you’re right and go ahead,” that’s what Davy Crockett said.
K.M. & P.W.
