Is Knowledge Power?

June 16th, 2009

by John R. Sedivy

iStock_000009050668XSmall Many have likely heard the saying “knowledge is power” and would not doubt the truth in this statement. I would agree, at least to some extent. Truly the more knowledge one possesses the better off they are. However, there is also some truth in the saying “ignorance is bliss.”

I remember coming across a simple yet profound concept in the book “Shut Up, Stop Whining & Get A Life” by Larry Winget. The concept was that “knowledge is power” is false, at least to some extent. Larry Winget argued that it is not knowledge that is power, but the “application” of knowledge that is power. Anyone who has ever read or seen Larry Winget, the so-called “Pitbull Of Personal Development” knows that my writing has watered down his edge a bit, however the point is the same.

The PhD & The President
Consider this for a moment. There are many people out there with an immense amount of knowledge, either self taught, or through formal academic degree programs. There are many with said knowledge who cannot effectively apply this knowledge. One instance is the PhD from a leading institution working for a company president without formal education. On paper, the PhD appears to possess more knowledge, and should have more power. However the company president, who in this instance contains less formal education, has more power – due to his being able to apply his knowledge.

It’s All In How You Use It
Knowledge is a great thing. I have a tremendous thirst for knowledge that drives me forward each day. However, what is better than knowledge is considering new ways in which to use this knowledge, and ultimately apply it – to better myself and others.

Think carefully about your quest for knowledge. Do you collect knowledge and let it linger within yourself? Or do you take this knowledge, consider how to better yourself and others, and then set out to apply this knowledge to create new beauty in the world, or correct an existing condition? In the past I was the former. I would collect knowledge, use some, but a large amount lay dormant and unused. In recent years I have thought more about how to effectively use my knowledge and eventually went out of my way to find new areas in which to apply it. I have found that this not only increases other skills related to the application of said knowledge, but also drives me to learn more, at a faster rate.

You may ask how one goes about applying new knowledge. Awareness is the first step. Next time you learn something new, think about how you can apply this knowledge to your life somehow. This may seem difficult at first, but will become easier with time. Just as gaining knowledge once took practice in your formative years, so does the application of knowledge. However over time, like anything else, practice makes perfect and the act of discovering and applying new knowledge will become second nature.

Knowledge in and of itself is not power – the application of knowledge is power!

-John R. Sedivy of Cape Cod Branding