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Jason Wetzler

The Danger Of Certainty

Early on in my journey as a student, my teachers realized I was going to need some extra assignments to keep me on task. My first grade teacher gave me a binder of hundreds of word searches to keep me busy. My second grade teacher taught me how to play Sudoku. In the third grade I was introduced to logic problems.


As I aged, the puzzles became progressively harder. I remember the feeling of elation I'd get by solving one and eagerly going back to my teachers desk for more. The more puzzles I completed, the more confident I became. After years, even though the premise would change, I believed there was no puzzle that could stump me. I'd even race my classmates to see who could finish the puzzle first.


One day in the 6th grade, my teacher told our class we were going to do a puzzle together. He said, "I know some of you think you are pretty good at puzzles," I did think that, "but listen closely, because this puzzle is more of a test of your ability to follow directions."


I looked around, surveying my competition. My friend Garrett was pretty smart, but I'd been doing this for years. Pencil in hand, my fingers twitched with anticipation as Mr. Hartley handed out the puzzle. At first glance I knew this one would take some time. The paper had about 50 tasks ranging from simple addition problems to drawing shapes in specific locations. I got to work on the first one. After only a few minutes, a classmate of mine stood up to take her puzzle to the front of the room. "She must be confused about something," I told myself. There is no possible way she could be finished.


Mr. Hartley took her paper, looked at it, smiled and said, "Well done, Kelli!" I was fuming. How?! I got back to work, writing with fury, determined to be second. Another classmate stood, up then another, and another. I watched in astonishment as whispers moved about the room and one by one my classmates finished. I had 10 tasks left and everyone else had finished.


Garrett finally, mercifully, walked over and whispered, "Jason, read the top and the bottom!"


Number 1: Read ALL directions before writing...

Number 50: Now that you've read all the directions, sign your name at the bottom and turn your paper in.


My forehead slammed on the table in defeat. I was embarrassed. I'd been had. After years of experience, I was certain I was the best at these puzzles, and yet, I had been stumped, duped, bamboozled. My misplaced certainty in my abilities had made me a fool.


Unfortunately, most of us have experienced the same thing. Our certainty about something and our unwavering confidence that we must be right has made a fool out of us.


We may be certain that Prince actually wrote that song and Stevie Nicks just sang it. We may be certain we are voting for the right person or see a hot-button issue the correct way. We may be certain that our boss has it out for us, eating a certain way reduces global warming, or that people in our state are the worst drivers.


The reality is, people are imperfect and error is inextricably bound with human nature. To build a life based on a constant state of certainty is to build a house with a foundation of sand. When a wave of wisdom, perspective, or new information comes, we'll be too blind with certainty to see it coming.


Instead, let us pursue knowledge, growth, and experiences with an acceptance and expectation of uncertainty.


Remember, the more we learn in this world, the less certain we should become.


Fact

Scientists used to believe that if a human being traveled faster than 30mph, they would suffocate as they would not be able to breathe the air rushing by them.


Action

Ask two questions before stating an opinion in a conversation.


Question

What is one certainty you've always held that you may need to challenge?


Quote

"As the area of our knowledge grows, so too does the perimeter of our ignorance." - Neil deGrasse Tyson

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