We think we know.
You know that person who has to be right all the time? That person who googles the most mundane details like who played the Oracle in the Matrix, just because it came up in conversation. That person is so annoying. That person who just won't let it go if they can’t find the answer immediately. That person who if google fails will start pulling out books even if you're in the middle of something else. That person is the worst. My wife hates THAT person.
I am THAT person.
The other night my wife and I were laying in bed watching Home Improvement. We’re in season six and it was on the episode of Al and Ilene’s wedding, where they mutually decide not to go through with it. This is the conversation that followed:
J: I can’t believe that they don’t end up married. I thought for sure they got married.
V: I know right! I am pretty sure they still get married.
J: Yeah, probably. I can’t remember the show, it’s been so long since I saw it the first time. You’re probably right.
V: I know they get married.
J: I mean you think you know.
V: No, I know.
J: Babe, you don’t know, you think you know.
V: Jeff, I know.
She was playful but she was serious.
J: How?
V: How what?
J: How do you know?
V: Jeff, I know. I have seen an episode with them married before. Al was about to sell the Tool Time board game and it had some faulty wiring or something.
J: Babe, that was season 5. That’s actually the episode where Al decided to propose.
I then scrolled to the episode to show her.
V: Oh, yeah. Well I know they get married.
J: How?
V: I just know Jeff. I have seen it.
J: How?
It was pretty quiet for the next 5-10 minutes as I scrolled for another episode to watch and she scrolled her phone.
V: OH! Al actually marries someone named Trudy. I guess they don’t get married after all.
J: Oh. Interesting. Now that you mention it, the name Trudy sounds familiar.
V: Yeah, so I guess I don’t know.
I think sometimes it’s easy to think we know something because of fragmented information and past experiences. I experience it daily at work. A co worker will ask me to print a set of films, I’ll walk to my office set the file up and then the phone rings. Next thing I know I am 6 screens deep into something else. After a couple hours goes by, I’m back in the back and that co worker is asking me for the films. I think about it and am like yeah I printed them. I have a this memory of setting the file up so that means I did it. But I forgot to hit print, but I have no memory of that. I walk back to my desk and open the print screen back up, and wouldn’t you know, there is that print button still waiting to be clicked.
Sometimes what we think we know is wrong. Sometimes it’s only half the story. Sometimes we need that person to challenge us, or remind us, so we can learn and grow.
J: Do you know how the government should work?
J: Why? and How?
J: Do you know if the party you support is telling you the truth?
J: How?
