Education is useless tool for a fool

During my three-year sojourn in Europe, I've had the privilege of interacting and sharing my home with a vast array of individuals from all walks of life - from movie directors to waiters, architects to lawyers, spanning a range of races, ethnicities, and sexual orientations. This rich mosaic of experiences taught me that intelligence and wisdom don't necessarily align with societal labels. Interestingly, even education, often viewed as a shield against ignorance, doesn't guarantee immunity from it. At times, highly educated individuals can be the most closed-minded, reminiscent of possessing a sharp katana encased in its sheath — a powerful tool rendered useless.

Rationality isn’t innate; it's honed through education, critical thinking, and embracing varied perspectives. The tragedy of the modern education system, however, is its repetitiveness and often uninspiring nature. By graduation, many students yearn to cast their knowledge into oblivion, much like tossing it into the Bermuda Triangle. I lament that this system quashes the innate curiosity we once held as children, that fervor to explore and understand our world. The kid within you who was once an explorer and wanted to chart his/her new territories just ends up suffering in their "Safar" (meaning: journey).

Now, on to a contentious observation: why do I believe that some educated individuals falter more than even some of their less-educated counterparts? The crux of the problem is that education, in its current form, can provide an illusion of wisdom rather than the real thing. Those with Bachelor's or Master's degrees often carry an inflated sense of self-worth, confusing education for true wisdom. Their hubris sometimes eclipses the humility exhibited by both the lesser educated, who readily acknowledge their limitations, and the highly educated, who genuinely seek knowledge.

In my experiences, I've encountered many educated individuals who are dismissive of those not fluent in English or quick to label others based on a single viewpoint. Many are so engrossed in preserving their social facade that their conversations rarely venture beyond gossip, travel, or food. It reminds me of the saying that 'Small minds discuss people, average minds discuss events, and great minds discuss ideas'.

Having been amidst such circles, I've seen the pitfalls of education firsthand. Some believe that their academic credentials make them infallible, often becoming stubborn and egoistic. To me, wisdom isn’t about fleeing from life's mundanities or presenting a flawless image; it's about recognizing, confronting, and rectifying one's flaws, regardless of one's educational background. If you think someone is "Sanghi" because they talked about nationalism, someone is sexist if they pointed out flaws in feminism, or someone is a homophobe for not accepting the fluid gender argument, then sorry to say, by no means are you a wise person. 

It often disheartens me when I'm judged for opting out of a hedonistic lifestyle marked by drinking, partying, and frequenting posh venues. If only I possessed a magic wand, I'd use it to reveal the depths of my passions to such critics. Articulating my joy in watching an enlightening lecture, comparable to the thrill of exploring a breathtaking city, is challenging. While I've marveled at many stunning destinations, they've seldom rivaled the allure of my introspective journeys.

Attaining wisdom demands sacrifices, enduring pain, and infinite patience. Its rarity elevates its allure; the scarcer the pursuit, the sweeter the victory. I'm often confronted with incredulous queries like, "How can you skip beer in Belgium?" or "How do you derive pleasure without indulging in such experiences?" While many preach the credo, "Experience everything in life," few advocate delving into the depths of Advaita Vedanta, exploring abstract mathematics, appreciating Mozart's compositions, or studying Da Vinci's genius. Aren't these facets of art, science, and innovation integral to the human experience too? Alas, we live in a world riddled with intellectual pretense, where many impose their definitions of joy upon others.

Unless blessed with an Einsteinian intellect or divine wisdom like Christ's, the path to wisdom predominantly requires dedication and persistence. Gaining rationality isn't an automatic rite of passage with age; it's a cultivated skill, akin to mastering an art through years of practice. Some might bristle at this notion, thinking, "Who is he to question our wisdom?" But, if wisdom was simply a byproduct of age and environment, wouldn't those within similar surroundings exhibit uniform wisdom? Yet, that's seldom the case.

Achieving true wisdom involves immersing oneself in diverse knowledge streams—listening to renowned intellectuals like Dawkins and Harris, studying psychology and neurobiology, exploring philosophies like stoicism, delving into religious scriptures, and critically reflecting upon these learnings until they seamlessly integrate into one's psyche. But none of this can be achieved without loneliness; you need loneliness to make all these ideas part of you, not something you know, in other words, becoming one with the idea.

It disheartens me that in recent years, only a couple of individuals have truly stimulated my intellect. Many of my peers, even those with self-proclaimed intelligence, falter when faced with profound intellectual discussions, often defaulting to commonplace topics such as relationships. Probing questions on faith, atheism, human nature, or desires often yield blank stares rather than insightful discussions. This intellectual inertia is not a mere lack of knowledge but a refusal to confront one's vulnerabilities and biases. True intellectualism demands brutal self-honesty, a stripping away of pretenses, before attempting to understand the world's complexities.

For a firsthand glimpse of this intellectual pretense, ask individuals about their ideal partners versus whom they genuinely pursue. While many clamor for honesty, even the most deceitful among them would rarely tolerate dishonesty in a partner. Those seeking profound connections might disregard potential partners based on superficial criteria like appearance. Isn't this, if not anything else, a stark manifestation of intellectual dishonesty? And for introspection, reflect on the last instance you earnestly sought critique — an endeavor few undertake.

Now, why pursue wisdom, especially when its early stages can be extremely isolating? The answer lies in the profound love and joy derived from truly experiencing life rather than merely existing. Imagine channeling the passion Mozart infused into his symphonies, the reverence Da Vinci held for Mona Lisa, the unwavering determination of Mike Tyson, Bhagat Singh's indomitable spirit, or Vivekananda's devout resilience. Such profound experiences, potent enough to shape destinies, are rooted in wisdom. Despite its challenges, embracing this path offers unparalleled fulfillment, akin to those who've transcended adversities in pursuit of their passions.

In conclusion, the intellect must be trained through constant engagements with scientific thoughts, books, and contemplation. Education doesn't make you wise but gives you tools to find the path to wisdom. True Wisdom demands sacrifice, patience, pain, and loneliness; once achieved, it will open doors that will take you on journeys that most won't even be able to comprehend. These experiences are so great that you will happily suffer in the short run to gain the peace and joy of the long term. 

"The last thing to probably leave you alone is wisdom, cherish it more than anything else" ~ Unkown