If we are courageous enough to live curiously, unafraid of our own inquisition, we will venture boldly into the future.
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“The most subversive people are those who ask questions.” ~Jostein Gaarder
Left to their own devices children are naturally curious. From the moment children become aware of themselves they start to form ideas, beliefs, and an identity of their own based on their experiences and on what those around them teach them. Parents call it cute when a baby first learns to crawl, but it is much less cute when a newly mobile child makes messes throughout the house. A harsh “NO” when they are caught playing with flour on the kitchen floor could frighten them and influence their view of authority for the rest of his or her life. A crying toddler left uncomforted might learn to self-soothe and regulate their own emotions, but they also might not learn how to form valuable intimate connections and how to trust and be trustworthy.
The situation above makes certain assumptions that ignore the nuances of particular situations. Sometimes coddling is necessary, but other times it is not. One thing remains true, though: curiosity must be encouraged. Most of the English speaking world is familiar with the phrase, “Curiosity killed the cat.” The cliché highlights a notable aversion to inquiry entrenched in society. Some types of questions are encouraged while others remain taboo. Venturing into the unknown in some instances can be dangerous because it could result in serious injury or death. The potential for harm from exploration does not stem from fearlessness or curiosity itself, but in ignorance of what could be—the unknown. Curiosity itself is not dangerous, but is in fact essential to survival. Without it we would not ask the question: What are the possibilities?
Anxiety over inquisitiveness emerges not only from xenophobia (fear of the unknown), but also from a fear of what could be.
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So where does such opposition to curiosity stem from? Anxiety over inquisitiveness emerges not only from xenophobia (fear of the unknown), but also from a fear of what could be. Aware of the dangers associated with automobiles, parents dread the possibility that their innocent child might wander into traffic and be seriously wounded or worse. Moreover, the word “inquisition” conjures up the “Spanish Inquisition.” The Inquisition was so long and so brutal a period of religious persecution that it remains in the forefront of the Western world’s collective memory. Anyone who was even suspected of challenging the authority of the Catholic church was sought out, tortured and often killed.
At some point in our young lives, most of us are taught singular ideas and discouraged from questioning them. Examples include religious and patriotic notions. Young children are instructed to stand and “Pledge Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.” Questioning or challenging religious dogma or national ideals may be considered heretic or treasonable, respectively and could result in punishment or ostracism. The decades old “War on Drugs” and the relatively new “War on Terror” are perpetuated by fear. People are criminalized for doing drugs because purportedly they are degenerates. War in the middle east and in eastern Europe endures because of constant unease regarding terrorism. Many dare not question whether the drug war is effective (effective at what exactly?) or the official story of 9/11 (“9/11 truth”) or other acts of terrorism. Non-GMO activists and people critical of pharmaceutical drugs and vaccines often are considered anti-science imbeciles. The list of inexpedient subjects is long.
Complacency is dangerous. The world is constantly changing and our ways of living and interacting with one another must change along with it
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As of yet, the United States has not reached the level of oppression that was seen during the Inquisition. Generally we are free to discuss controversial opinions openly so long as we do so peacefully. There are of course “conspiracy theories” about ideas being suppressed and people being silenced. Indeed we must be wary of censorship and speak out against it and against oppression. This is true even when the concepts may seem absurd or counter-productive. Complacency is dangerous. The world is constantly changing and our ways of living and interacting with one another must change along with it.
As the US approaches a national election in 2016, one Presidential candidate from one of the two major political parties stands out: Bernie Sanders. I will not endorse him or any other candidate, but I will say that his rhetoric is influencing the overall political discussion. Sanders describes himself as a “Democratic Socialist.” Until recently, the word “socialist” was censured in American politics—even among liberals. Sanders speaks of the middle class and the immense disparity of wealth between the classes and the so-called “1 percent”. He avoids personal attacks against other candidates, whether they are in his own party (he’s running as a Democrat) or are directed at his “colleagues across the aisle” (Republicans).
The American people have become deeply divided, but divided we are weak. Ralph Nader suggests a left-right alliance. Is that something the majority of people and politicians would be willing to try?
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Despite the potential good that may come from this new political dialogue, most Americans do not consider much beyond conventional wisdom. The US allegedly is a democracy, but evidence suggests it is an oligarchy in a two party duopoly. Sanders himself and Princeton University among others, support the claim that the US government is now an oligarchy. As to the two party duopoly, one only need look at how few third party and independent elected officials there are—especially at the national level. The American people have become deeply divided, but divided we are weak. Ralph Nader suggests a left-right alliance. Is that something the majority of people and politicians would be willing to try?
Ultimately our challenge is overcoming our own apprehension to ask extremely difficult questions and arrive at even harder resolutions. We need to persist toward finding and addressing the dilemma at its source. We need an entire generation of bravely curious people who will transcend “common sense solutions” and focus on the root of the problem. If we survive the next 15 to 20 years or so in political suspended animation, maybe we can at least use that time to raise a generation of young people who will be courageous enough to do what we could not. Let’s embrace the natural curiosity of children, nurture them, and guide them to venture boldly into a brighter future.
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Photo credit: Getty Images
We might not reach the level of oppression like Nazis Germany; however, we are heading down the road ot it. Afro-Americans know what it is like living in an oppress state. In the USA, if workers question a CEO’s authority, they are told that the boss is the boss and if you don’t like it tough, go find another job. The problem is that the boss can prevent you from getting another job and it happens too many times with whistleblower, and labor union activists. Guys like Martin Luther King, and Macolm X dare to challenge the political, social, racial,… Read more »
I never said or even implied that questioning the status quo would be easy. Quite to the contrary. If it were so easy it would not take great courage. The problem is that so few even bother to try out of fear. If many more rose up in much greater numbers–such as most of a generation–then there would be immense strength in solidarity. The problem is explained well by a Japanese proverb (translated to English of course): The nail that sticks out gets hammered down. The metaphor of people as nails implies that each each person works to hold the… Read more »