Fellow LOers:
> From: Stanton L. Berberich <sberberi@uhl.uiowa.edu>
> At de Lange writes:
>
> >Ignoring organisation.
> >Ignorance is an antonym for learning. But in lieu of the "becoming
> >being" pattern we have to call the organisation in which ignorance
> >prevails an "ignoring organisation". Are there really organisations
> >which qualify as "ignoring organisations"? Yes. In such organisations
> >there is a persistent ignoring of things (family, recreation,
> >spirituality, etc.) essential to a healthy life.
>
> Stan wrote:
>
> Isn't ignorance actually a prerequisite for learning? Is it possible that
> ignorance itself is not bad -- it is simply a fact. Is it not BECAUSE of
> my ignorance that I have opportunity to learn? [side thought-- back to
> your post: could ignoring my ignorance be the antonym for learning?]
I am not sure if was here or on another list, but the first two lines of
an Arab saying on knowledge seem to fit here:
"He who knows not and that he knows not that he knows not is a fool ....
shun him." [stupidity?]
"He who knows not and knows that he knows not is ignorant .... teach him."
To have an antonym you have to have a reverse of that process or idea --
sit:stand, give:take. It implies a two way correlation, an open pipeline
where flow goes both directions, positive and negative. The antonym for
ignorant is wise, for stupid is smart. These are the artifacts of the
technology of education. Learning, in the context of this message, is a
one way pipe with the control valve being the mind of the person NOT
learning. The person not learning can not unlearn or reverse the flow.
It is therefore NOT a positive or a negative. There is no opposite of
learning. There is only the refusal of the learner to learn.
In those without the capability to learn what you WANT to teach, the pipe
is closed and therefore the flow goes nowhere. In those with the
capability, only by opening the valve that allows them to receive and
ACCEPT, will they learn [the process of teaching]. Without a disease
process (Allzymers) to destroy already learned material, YOU CAN NOT
UNLEARN.
The interpretation of 'The Emperor's New Clothes' is a great one. I will
have to save that one and use it. Thanks Stan.
> And Rick, thank you for this forum. I know there are times when my
> writing to the list is more for my benefit (the sense of "I am here") than
> for anyone who might read it.
>
DITTO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bruce W. Jones
Organizational Development Specialist
Northwest Texas Healthcare System
Amarillo, Texas
brucej@nwths.com
brucewj@amaonline.com
http://www.scenemaker.com/anon/495/cover.dhtml
--"Bruce Jones" <brucej@nwths.com>
Learning-org -- Hosted by Rick Karash <rkarash@karash.com> Public Dialog on Learning Organizations -- <http://www.learning-org.com>