Expose Yourself

"Do not expose your ignorance" is a famous utterance in my family.

So as a senior we understand you have eaten more rice than we have eaten salt. (if you are Chinese.) As the typical Singaporean you have the face to take care of. The psychologist calls it social acceptance pressure. For some people this face is so very important that they will never forgive you for the sin of not giving them any face. Not till their dying day. And moreover they will take revenge if they can - a typical Asian movie plot. Seen any kung-fu Hongkong dramas? It's there in abundance

What happens to life long learning then, in a progressive nation like Singapore? The face issue is in the way.

When we learn something new, especially a physical skill or even like playing a musical instrument, we stimulate new neural pathways. In other words, you get to be smarter. Consider it a good trade off. There is another word for this - its "humility"

When my daughter was just a little girl, daddy explained to her that he did not know everything. Many times he told her he had to look up the answer from the family encyclopedia.

When we realise that we are not God and admit it, then we begin to learn and grow neural connections. The little girl took this and went on to get into Mensa at age 7.

How then O Senior? Expose your ignorance and learn something that you don't know.