[ I don’t know. ]

It’s hard for a credentialed person to say, “I don’t know”.  Many years ago, a co-worker asked if I could help him design his concrete garage flooring.  It was really hard to admit, “I don’t know how to do that anymore” – because, doesn’t every civil engineer know that?  Alas, not this one. 

With a credential that points to expected knowledge, it’s even harder to say.  And so, there’s a choice: admit it (‘I don’t know’), or, go figure it out.  That’s ok too, in some circumstances, especially if you want to learn.  But it should start with “I don’t know”.

(from Dec 2, 2020)