The KNOW-IT-ALL: what makes them tick?

by Terry 15 Replies latest watchtower bible

• 

  Terry

  We can hardly get through a week on planet Earth without an encounter with a know-it-all.

  This none-too-rare creature is ever ready to volunteer to enlighten us in our apparent ignorance.

  The Know-it-all tells us we are wrong (implying they are right) and sets us straight.

  And the best part? We don't even have to ask for their help!

  We can barely finish a sentence when the know-it-all corrects us!

  It is their mission to keep us in our place, remind us of our failings and highlight our ignorance.

  Wives, husbands, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, friends, business associates and political mavens reach out and slap sense into each other.

  Each of them KNOWS BETTER than the other!

  So much wisdom and so much ignorance living side by side!

  What makes these people tick? What is their motive?

  Is it benevolence or hubris? Is a personality disorder or empathetic kindess?

  Religious people are perhaps the best examples of the worst know-it-alls!

  Remember when you and I knocked on stranger's doors and peddled THE TRUTH?

  What made us so sure other than our own sense of rightness?

  Can we all agree that quoting scriptures and correcting wrong thinking is usually the bad manners of non-skeptical drones lost in their own rightness?

  Republicans and Democrats savage each other with personal insults, character attacks and smug superiority aimed at the other guy.

  Perhaps you yourself can't let anything pass without jumping in and pounding away at an opinion with which you disagree!

  Who empowered your vigilante minset?

  Do you really believe you can change the world for the better by making other people think as you do?

  The KNOW-IT-ALL: what makes them tick?

  Your opinions are requested!
• 

  blond-moment

  I am a sewing educator, and have students from time to time ask me, why do you like doing this. I reply "I am a know-it-all who loves to be the center of attention, this is where I am happiest" haha

  Granted that is really a joke, but I do enjoy being someone who has answers to their questions. I am not a know-it-all in the extreme, meaning, I am fully aware I don't know it all, or that my way of doing things isn't best for everyone (even tho I really think it is), that I will not get upset if they don't care for my techniques (which I am always learning new stuff myself).

  There is some truth here tho. I grew up very insecure, unsure of myself. Being concidered an expert in this area, is an ego boost. I often DO have the answers they want, and when I don't, I know where to get them. I personally, don't feel superior, (I always say the definition of a teacher is "a person one chapter ahead in the book) but maybe some need to feel that. Their sense of self worth only comes from feeling like they are better or smarter than you.

  There are some areas and interests I am very well versed in (as we all have interests we are passionate about and knowlegable in), and tend to speak up when I see something being misrepresented or whatever, but for me personally, it is not to "put them in their place" or prove something, it's usually just correcting the facts, not meant to be a put down at all. In the end, I really am a live and let live or believe or whatever kind of person, so I guess I am really not a know-it-all.

  I just do honestly think there is an insecurity thing when someong is an in your face know-it-all about everything. I also find it sad, you can never really learn anything, if you already know "everything".

  No idea really, just my 2 cents.
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  James Brown

  Remember when you and I knocked on stranger's doors and peddled THE TRUTH?

  What made us so sure other than our own sense of rightness?

  I didn't know any better, plus a combination of guilt, shame and doing what your told. I was born in the organization.

  Then 1976 came and freed me. I thank God or fate for 1976.

  Also I had this delusion that someone wouldnt go through the trouble of printing a magazine or a book if what

  the magazine or book said was not true.

  I only knew it all from 1973 to 1976.

  Then I became an observer watching the greatest show on earth.
• 

  Terry

  Everything is taught everywhere and yet--who is teaching us HOW TO GIVE ADVICE or share opinions without destroying the dignity of others

  at the same time?

  What ever happened to manners?

  If there is a right way to say something and a wrong way.....wouldn't an outcome that ends in argument and name-calling tell the tale?

  Everywhere I look people are running off at the mouth and insulting other, picking fights and hurting feelings unnecessarily.

  Yes, UNnecessarily.

  Is it that difficult of a skill to be considerate of what words you use and when you say them?

  What good ever comes from running roughshod over other people?

  The Watchtower Society has absolutely no compunctions or reservations at all about labeling those with whom they disagree as mentally diseased, demonic and unworthy of even a prayer. Are they teaching valuable behavior or wallowing in the worst kind of self-righteous exhibitionism?

  Know-it-all-ism is a world wide epidemic.
• 

  Fernando

  I wonder if we all want to be right at some level, but are predisposed to corrupt expressions of this desire?
• 

  AuntBee

  This is SUCH an interesting topic, Terry! I just got a book from the library called "First Impressions". I think it's primarily written for people in business to improve their social/conversation skills, but it would certainly apply to anyone who talks to people, and desires to have friends.

  You're completely right - it is so ill-mannered, and it is epidemic! I feel the same way as you do - it just amazes me. I also feel sorry for people who feel so compelled to do the things you are describing. They have no idea of the loss of friendship they experience as a result, and true friends are one of the riches of life!

  Do you think the internet has exacerbated the problem somewhat? I mean, i notice especially younger people, google something, read a few web sites real quick ,and act like instant experts. In the old days, you'd have to get a library book , or buy a book, on whatever you wanted to learn more about. Thus, no one could really be an 'expert' on everything, unless they had time to read books all day. And being forced to read a whole book on something allows more time for reflection and critical thinking, and of course, covers the topic in a deeper way, hopefully. (i'm not "demonizing" the internet at all - i LOVE it myself. )

  People love it when you ask them about their beliefs and opinions. They appreciate it when you try to understand where they're coming from, and acknowledge good points they make that you never thought about before.
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  ABibleStudent

  Hi Terry, Interesting topic that I am totally unqualified to state my opinion, so I will ask questions. Are the know-it-alls that you are writing about insecure about what they have personally accomplished so they want to build up their egos? Are the know-it-alls that you writing about trying to get other people to agree with them so that they can believe it too? Are the know-it-alls that you are writing about just blindly following their training? Could there be as many different reasons for know-it-alls as there are know-it-alls?

  Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

  Robert
• 

  james_woods

  But Terry, wouldn't we be sorry if they REALLY DID know it all and we just wouldn't listen?

  For example, that Dos XX beer guy seems to know it all but for some reason I can't stand him...

  Stay thirsty, my friends.
• 

  LostGeneration

  My observation of JWs in three plus decades is interesting when considering this topic.

  My Dad is one such know it all. It seems that because he is a member of the one true religion, he suddenly has broad knowledge about the world. Whether its the latest cars on the market, the local sports team, or so-and-so's terrible child rearing skills, this guy knows it all. Then again, he's getting these letters from mother that we have recently seen, advising him on absolute truth on porn, higher education, and *gasp* how to read the scriptures in the WT study correctly. How in the world could he be wrong when getting such sage advice from the mouthpiece of God?

  I think the "we have religious truth" mindset really affects JWs in a great way, leading to bickering between members over petty matters in the grand scheme of things. Because they think they have 100% religious truth, by default they *think* are right in most other areas of life.
• 

  Terry

  The Anonymity of Internet (or even sitting inside your car on the highway) brings out the rudeness simmering inside of some people.

  That, to me, is pretty much understandable. We can't SEE them and don't know who they are--so, they can get away with it.

  But, the people I'm asking about are the one's face to face with us in public, in our family and on the phone.