Realizing Your Full Knowledge: Appreciation From Others

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the perception of one's knowledge and how it is appreciated by others. Participants reflect on the breadth of their knowledge across various subjects, including science and social science, and the disconnect between their extensive understanding and how it is recognized by peers. The conversation touches on personal feelings regarding knowledge, societal expectations, and the impact of experience on self-perception.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express a feeling that their extensive knowledge is often unrecognized by others, which may depend on mutual interests.
  • One participant humorously notes that a significant portion of their knowledge feels useless, citing trivial information.
  • Another participant identifies with the feeling of being underestimated, describing themselves as an "absent-minded professor" and expressing sadness over not being recognized for their potential.
  • There is a suggestion that the practical application of knowledge influences how it is perceived, with one participant questioning the value of knowledge if it does not lead to meaningful action.
  • One participant shares a personal perspective, indicating a preference for a low profile and suggesting that their views may evolve with more experience and learning.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally share a common sentiment regarding the underappreciation of their knowledge, but there are differing views on the implications of this and how it affects their self-image and aspirations. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the value of knowledge versus its recognition.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying degrees of self-awareness and reflect on the limitations of their knowledge and its practical applications. There is an acknowledgment of the evolving nature of understanding as one gains more experience.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in self-perception, knowledge appreciation, and the dynamics of social recognition in intellectual discussions may find this conversation relevant.

Simfish
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After all, many of you have probably read/experienced dozens of books/papers/articles about many subjects. Not just science, but social science, whatever cultures you happen to be interested in, and the communities you grew up in. And of course, most people you talk to will only appreciate your knowledge of a small fraction of the total sum of all your knowledge (probably depending on your mutual interests, although most people have mutual interests that don't intersect very much as compared to the fraction of all their interests).

And I feel like this will only get bigger as I grow older and learn more.

Perhaps this feeling depends on how you want other people to see you.
 
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Ya kinda but 98.9% of what I know is totally useless. Stuff like captain crunch and pogs...
 
YES. I feel like that all of the time.

I'm kind of the absent-minded professor, so most people assume I'm dumb, especially other smart people. (Well, I'm super lazy, too.) But they can't even recognize the depth of my mind or the extent of my undeveloped talent. It makes me sad. :(

Not that I think I'm all that, because I'm not.
 
It depends what you can do other than burger flipping after absorbing knowledge for years.
 
rootX said:
It depends what you can do other than burger flipping after absorbing knowledge for years.

I make a mean Subway sandwich. Come to my shop and I'll give you a discount. :P
 
I do and I don't really.

I will never fill the vessel I call my brain with all information available in the world. I don't like lots of attention really. Sooo.. It kind of suits me fine.

I am still a student too. I reckon my view on things will change once I got years of experience or read more texts as the OP mentioned! :)
 

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