Martian Thoughts

A fallacy of façades

People who ask probing questions are often uncomfortable for those in positions of power or in charge of decision-making. Even in the innocuous context of visiting a new place, the guide will likely be unnerved by an individual who continuously questions the surroundings and begs to dive deeper into the area’s lore.

Poignant questions reveal the ignorance that surrounds us. The sharper the inquiry, the vaster the revealed ignorance. When we live by curiosity and a thirst for knowledge, asking precise and challenging questions will uncover much of the fallacy of façades around us.

Once we realise that much of it is pretence and confidence, we will have a choice: do we also pretend to be confident, or do we embrace the arduous and often thankless path of the recalcitrant truth-seeker?