Follies of Knowers

Those who proactively pursue knowledge often invent pieces of knowledge which are totally unconnected from reality. Subsequently, if such persons or institutions have the right credentials and resources, they impose their products on reality and such misplaced perceptions distort social realities. The concern is the mostly ignored fact that knowing is not about discovering patterns but manipulating and disrupting patterns. The knowledge-based solutions in such cases may be a different problem but the concern here is that knowing is not about knowing exactly the nature of a phenomenon but determining the nature of a phenomenon. Knowers should deploy their tools with much caution and never ignore their common sense and instinct.

Niraj Kumar Jha