The fact that you did not see the pedestrian in the crosswalk, will not bring him back to life. And your refusal to acknowledge that winter is coming, will not keep you warm. And your disdain for those who disagree with you, does not make you right. And your apathy or hatred for those who are different from you, does not make them wrong. And your domineering certainty, will not garner legitimate or long-lasting respect. And your privilege, does not make you smarter. And your perceived entitlement, does not make you capable. And your efforts to do good for people, does not mean you are doing right by them. And your belief that you know what people want, does not translate to helping them with what they need.

As the pedestrian, it is not very gratifying to say, “I told you so.”

One day, you will become the pedestrian and you will understand. But depending upon your vision, your anticipation, your disdain, your apathy, your hatred, your need for control, your certainty, your privilege, your perceived entitlement, your definition of good and your psychic abilities, that day and that understanding may come too late.

I am talking to myself as much as (and more than) I am talking to you. Many of those who have a greater need for this talking-to, are not listening.

How do I convince those in need to listen; not to listen to me, but to listen to their own inner workings. To see their self from outside of their self. To recognize willful ignorance as the circular reasoning that it is. (I do not agree with you because you are untrustworthy. You are untrustworthy because you disagree with me.) Circular reasoning.

If it is not an observable fact with tangible evidence and a consensus that crosses many divides, I have no choice but to say, “I don’t know with certainty.” Instead, if I am inclined to argue, I must say, “I believe.” And I must concede, “you may be right.” I cannot force those who know with certainty to sincerely apply this test and this process to all those things they know with certainty. This process is not difficult to understand, but for many it is difficult to implement because they perceive it as a threat to their essence and their way of life, and that scares the oblivion out of them. This intense and painful fear moves one to practice willful ignorance.

Willful ignorance perpetuates and compounds willful ignorance. And as we surpass a certain critical mass of willful ignorance, it becomes dangerous and destructive. I believe we have surpassed that point. To believe that my worldview—my ego—my willful ignorance should precede reality, is simply not very nice. Those who practice willful ignorance are not very nice people. Perhaps by appealing to one’s sense of decency we will have some greater success in helping people inclined to argue to more frequently say:
“I believe…”
“I don’t know with certainty.”
“You may be right.”

Those who abide by this process are Believers. Believers are nice. Knowers are not very nice. And large groups of Knowers or Knowers with excessive influence are dangerous; especially those Knowers who are also Doers. On the other hand, Believers who are Thinkers and Doers, are much more likely to understand reality and to contribute to the productive advancement of all of Humanity.

I cannot force a Knower to become a Believer. And though many Knowers see themselves as Believers, one cannot be a Believer who Knows.

The fact that you did not see the pedestrian in the crosswalk, will not bring him back to Life.