The Art of Knowing Everything

In a world where a universe of knowledge is just a few clicks away, it's not uncommon to hear someone accused of "knowing everything." But in truth, no one person can hold all the answers, not even the most erudite scholar. Instead, what sets the modern "know-it-all" apart isn't omniscience, it's the skill to find reliable information quickly and the wisdom to discern what’s worth knowing.

 At the heart of this pseudo-omniscience lies a deceptively simple skill: asking the right questions. In an age where data is abundant but clarity isn’t, knowing how to frame a query can make all the difference. A poorly phrased question often yields irrelevant or misleading results, whereas a precise one leads to enlightenment.

This skill isn’t just about language - it's about critical thinking. Asking "What is the best solution for X?" acknowledges that solutions vary and depend on context. It’s not about knowing everything; it’s about navigating complexity with purpose.

The internet is often likened to a vast ocean, but I prefer to think of it as a treasure map. Some routes lead to gems of insight, while others end in muddy dead ends. Reliable sources, trusted experts, and peer-reviewed research are the Xs marking the spot.

Knowing how to sift through information is a skill unto itself. It’s the reason why some people emerge from a Google search with a concise answer while others are overwhelmed by a cascade of conflicting opinions. Curating knowledge is an underrated superpower.

Here’s the rub: admitting what you don’t know is just as important as knowing where to look. It’s a trait often mistaken for humility but is, in fact, a sign of intellectual maturity. The smartest people aren’t those who claim to know everything - they’re the ones who can recognise the boundaries of their expertise and step beyond them when necessary.

So, the next time someone accuses you of being a know-it-all, a witty riposte might be: "Not at all - I just know how to ask, and I know where to look." This isn’t false modesty; it’s an acknowledgment of a modern truth. In this day and age, the answers to many questions are out there, waiting to be found. The real trick is having the curiosity, resourcefulness, and discernment to uncover them.

In the end, knowledge isn’t about knowing everything - it’s about knowing what matters, why it matters, and how to learn more when the need arises. So, here’s to never truly knowing it all - and being better off because of it.

That brings on to AI. AI isn't some omniscient oracle – it can get things wrong. Anyone who’s used it knows it can spit out duff answers, but that’s why corroboration matters. By pulling from multiple reliable sources, those errors get minimised, and what you’re left with is far more accurate than most of what you’ll find scrolling through social media or listening to the average pub bore holding court with their half-baked takes.

It’s not about blind faith in AI. It’s about recognising that it works best as a tool to sharpen our own judgement. Sure, you should double-check its output, but that’s no different from questioning any source of information. The difference is that AI can process far more data, far faster, and with much less emotional bias than the bloke down the pub who’s convinced he knows everything because he once saw a headline in The Sun or watches GB News.

In a world where half-truths and hot takes spread faster than facts, using AI to cut through the noise shows a commitment to accuracy. It doesn't replace human thought – it ensures that what you’re saying isn’t just another uninformed opinion dressed up as fact. Let’s be honest, the odd AI mistake is far less dangerous than the avalanche of nonsense people spout online without a second thought.

And the answer to "What is the best solution for X?" is to leave it - it's a cesspit or misinformation.