Floating On A Rock Through Space

If nothing else, ours is a complex species. At once, we might be wholly accepting, yet hostile to new thought. We might identify as creators or scientists but also, at times, be imprisoned by the comforting embrace of that which we already know.

And yet, we enjoy luxuries like technology and philosophy because we expect them to be possible, even when they might never have been before. This is the concept of belief, and belief, especially in others and in one's self, is essential. Belief enables new thought.

But if left unchecked, our ego becomes a beast; gnashing its teeth at anything that might challenge its preconceptions. The more we profess to know, the more powerful the beast becomes. Established law, accepted norms, best practice, the status quo. Myriad in linguistic diversity, but with singular intent: to dissuade challengers.

After all, who are you to challenge the eternal wisdom of my experience-backed ideas?

Challenging Conventions Top

Challenging popular ideas is important. Especially ideas that have been faithfully accepted for years even despite their obvious flaws. And especially those which, if challenged, may cause turmoil for established lords. To challenge everything can be toxic, but popular opinion is rarely universal.

It isn't without irony that, the more time we dedicate to study, the more closed off we become to unconventional wisdoms. As we collect trophies and accolades—solidifying our positions of mastery—we gradually lose the very essence of that mastery. Our curiosity fades, and what we're left with is a husk of institutional knowledge where our curious spirit once was.

Many fail to acknowlege this death of curiosity. To feign curiosity is transparent, though, like a distant friend who phones only when they need something. This fools nobody.

True curiosity means an embrace of the unknown. Curiosity lives in the abyss of discomfort and uncertainty. We spend our entire lives desperately trying to claw our way out of that abyss, while we should be diving head first into it.

Evolution Of Knowledge Over Time Top

The journey toward understanding is wrought by self discovery. For me, that journey has looked something like this.

My perceived understanding of design increased over the course of the first two and a half years of experience, along with my confidence; quickly outpacing reality.

By the time I reached year five, I was a monster. God have mercy on anyone who encountered me in years five or six (or probably seven).

Year seven is when self doubt began to set in, and by year eight I had become a full blown imposter. I'd failed enough times to be aware of just how much I didn't actually know.

How could I have dedicated so much time while learning so little?

Now in year ten, I'm convinced, most of the time, that I know nothing and neither does anyone else.

Nobody Actually Knows What's Going On Top

That is, of course, hyperbolic and untrue. Our knowledge is as vast as is possible for ants scurrying around a rock hurdling through space, headed toward god only knows where.

Take design systems as an example. The concept of a modern design system has existed for, generously speaking, all of fifteen years. The blink of a cosmic eye. How much can we truly have collectively settled on in that amount of time? Not much, I suppose.

By comparison, our species still can't effectively feed and shelter itself. Poverty exists, despite corrective efforts against it spanning thousands of years. For how far we have come, it is striking how far we've yet to go.

What stands today inevitably crumbles tomorrow. The constant of this universe is everlasting change, and change is the truest challenge.

In the face of challenge, there can only be optimistic curiosity. A difficult response to have, but a necessary one. It requires humility and the relinquishment of ego. It requires discomfort and the understanding that we are all just strapped to the side of a rock floating through space.