“You are forgiven for your happiness and your successes only if you generously consent to share them.”
Albert Camus
Themistoclea, the sacred priestess at Delphi, and mentor of the renowned Pythagoras, did not hoard knowledge. Zeno of Elea, famous for his mind-bending paradoxes, did not hoard knowledge. Diotima of Mantinea willingly shared her ideas on Platonic love while Arete of Cyrene wrote 40 books during her 35 years of teaching the next generation of philosophers.
We live in the age of information, where technology allows us to connect with others on the other side of the globe in a matter of seconds. Yet, there is a ubiquitous fear that if we share knowledge we may be at a disadvantage. Within a highly competitive job market, dispensing shards of knowledge on a “need to know basis” is not uncommon.
Great thinkers share knowledge, without fear that their personal power will be eroded. Joseph L. Badaracco, a professor of Business Ethics at Harvard Business School, suggest that “In today’s environment, hoarding knowledge ultimately erodes your power. If you know something very important, the way to get power is by actually sharing it.”
Thank you to my friends in the blogging community for sharing your knowledge, your creativity and your enthusiasm. Our power is growing exponentially.
“Knowledge is power. Information is power. The secreting or hoarding of knowledge or information may be an act of tyranny camouflaged as humility.”
Robin Morgan, an American Poet, Author, Political Theorist and Activist
Lady Budd 
We are so fortunate to be able to share knowledge and to be empowered by knowledge. I am trying to imagine how my life would be if certain books or art or music or knowledge were not readily available to me or access to them was banned.
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You are so right! Our lives are enriched and sustained by knowledge. It opens our hearts and minds to the miracle of our lives, our environment and the diversity of humanity. Thank you so much for your comments and support…you add so much to my personal knowledge.
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That was exactly the situation in ancient China. Great scholars, mathematicians, medical doctors etc. did not tell others their “secrets”. It is believed that in ancient times, China already had very advanced medicine but the knowledge was not shared, and eventually it was lost.
Then it came the time of exchanging knowledge / art and religions, via the trading route (the silk road, or the tea road). Love to write more on this topic….I may write a little in my Yunnan trip posts when I talk about the “tea route”. Just have to read more about that subject first!
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I think that there have been many examples of lost knowledge over the centuries. When knowledge is lost, we all suffer. Consider the burning of the Library of Alexandria! Ray Bradbury understood the consequences of dismantling the work of generations of thinkers….
Why is blogging so important? Because it facilitates shared knowledge.
I will be looking out for your post….
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Reblogged this on lost creek publishing.
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Thank you so much for the reblog…
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Well said, Rebecca. Sharing knowledge, sharing comfort, strength and hope, all this strengthens the giver as much, if not more than the recipient. There is so much to know, espespecially in this information crazy world, that without sharing we would truly be overwhelmed. Have a great weekend!
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Thank you so much for your encouraging comments!!! I agree – there is so much to know!! And sharing is essential to make sense of all the messages….
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Thank you, I also think it is too much a “pain” to keep things inside (in this information overload era), I prefer to write it down or share it out, should I empty myself a bit, I allow new insights to refresh me. Quite “coincidentally” I read Camus again, yesterday; about a short story and I had prepared a very brief post to share it …. thanks again for this lovely post of yours.
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I agree. We were meant to have transparency. When we close up, we turn away from the possibilities in front of us. I just noticed your post on Camus so I am heading over to your place…
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Well, I think you should hold this post up to yourself like a mirror – you are the epitome of generosity, creativity and enthusiasm when it comes to the sharing of knowledge and wisdom – thank you.
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Thank you so much, my dear friend. I was thinking of you last night when I attended a bagpipe event. Wish you could have been with me. I imagined myself at Glencoe….
I even heard some Gaelic! A marvelous language.
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How wonderful – it sounds like you had a fabulous time. Was your son playing?
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Yes he was, along with about eight other players. It is a special event for PIOBAIREACHD bagpipe music. I really don’t know that much about this form of music, so will be doing some research on it. I think you would be particularly interested in this form. It has a singular history. Stay tuned…
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I know only that it is a specialist highland type of music and is mesmeric to listen to. Your son must be very talented. I look forward to hearing more about it from your perspective.
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That is exactly what it is – mesmeric. I remember the first time I went to one of these gatherings. I was NOT expecting to be engaged with the music to that extent. Some love it, and others have a difficult time with it! 🙂
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Yes, I agree it is not to everyone’s taste. But where would we be if everyone liked everything! 🙂
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We would live in a very tedious world… 🙂
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I recently read “The way I feel about myself is always excellent because I share my knowledge and follow my passions with love”… that sums it up, I suppose. We are not less important when we share our knowledge, that goes for blogging as well.
Thanks for a great post! Have a lovely weekend, Rebecca.
Greetings from Norway
Dina
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Well said!!! “We are not less important…” We need to part of the conversation, because there is a glorious feeling when we achieve together. And you are so right – blogging is the best conduit to bring about a global dialogue. Thank you for that most excellent quote. I have added it to my list and placed a sticky note on my fridge to remind me…
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Great, I love it! 🙂 🙂
Sunny greetings from Norway to Vancouver.
Dina
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I love hearing from Norway! There is always something exciting happening wherever you travel…
Hugs! Have a wonderful weekend.
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The sharing of knowledge is essential for the well-being of the whole world, and we are very fortunate to live in this present age. I just wish that all children could have the benefit of good education.
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A profound insight! I share your desire that all children have the opportunity for learning. They are the most precious asset of our world. They will be facing enormous challenges going forward. They deserve the best that we can offer as a society….
Your presence and comments are very much appreciated.
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I was thinking of the great treasures that we have in libraries. Even with all avenues that we have in the new media, the library has not died. I was thinking of all the lost knowledge when the library was burned in Alexandria–then I noticed that you mentioned it in one of your comments.
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I am not surprised that your thoughts when back to that time. The Library of Alexandria is an iconic reminder – no, a warning – that we must safeguard our collective knowledge.
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The internet is an amazing place for shared knowledge, even if it’s just a recipe! It must be a painful experience for those who like to hoard information to themselves. Although I’m sure they collect a lot of useful info on their travels through the web!! 😀
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I agree wholeheartedly – painful and unproductive. I would rather have joy and abundance. I think it becomes a choice.
“Share your knowledge. It is a way to achieve immortality.”
― Dalai Lama XIV
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