We all have our strengths on this board and we all have our weaknesses. Some topics we just don't know much about. While alot of us like to think ourselves pretty sharp, even the most arrogant of us has to admit there are holes in our knowledge. What are yours?
I naturally have several. A big one is East Asian and South Asian history. The further east you go, the less I know about the world. So I know little about the Kings of India or the Emperors of China. Fortunately that doesn't come up very often. A bit tougher is economics, that those issues often come up. When an economic topic comes up and and I stupidly fail to refrain from commenting I usually have to read the article several times and then look up what several of the words and concepts mean. Then I still look like and idiot. Often I simply ask JR. "What dat mean?". Or "Is that good or bad?" Tis a great shame.
Matrix algebra. Lots of computer crap.
The really major gap in my education is fluency in any foreign languages.
Trig. I memorized enough formulas to ace the class in high school, but I have no frickin clue what any of it means.
There's nothing I can't pretend to know almost everything about with a few minutes time to prepare.
Quote from: Scipio on July 12, 2012, 01:28:25 PM
There's nothing I can't pretend to know almost everything about with a few minutes time to prepare.
But that says nothing about whether or not your audience buys it. ;)
I know I'm a small minority here (maybe I'm alone), but I have a pretty huge blindspot for most history that occurred prior to the 17th century-- particularly ancient Greek & Roman history.
I have forgotten most of my advanced maths from school. Also, I'm lost when a discussion comes to cars and their comparative features. There's several areas in history of which I have only cursory knowledge. Physics and Chemistry are also not my strong suit.
Quote from: Syt on July 12, 2012, 01:37:52 PM
I have forgotten most of my advanced maths from school. Also, I'm lost when a discussion comes to cars and their comparative features. There's several areas in history of which I have only cursory knowledge. Physics and Chemistry are also not my strong suit.
It bugs me slightly that I spent so many years studying geology and I remember virtually none of it.
I also find it amazing how three people have complained about their lack of historical knowledge, when I bet everyone on this forum knows more about history than 95% of the world.
Oh, I'm also completely ueless when it comes to DIY, tools of all kinds or outdoorsmanship.
Quote from: Barrister on July 12, 2012, 01:39:38 PM
Quote from: Syt on July 12, 2012, 01:37:52 PM
I have forgotten most of my advanced maths from school. Also, I'm lost when a discussion comes to cars and their comparative features. There's several areas in history of which I have only cursory knowledge. Physics and Chemistry are also not my strong suit.
It bugs me slightly that I spent so many years studying geology and I remember virtually none of it.
I bought the book "Why Nations Fail", because the topic sounded interesting (democratic institutions, econmics factors, society groups as factors etc.). Imagine my surprise when I opened the book and found it plastered with economical equations . . . they look in part kinda familiar, but I think I've forgotten way too much of my macroeconomics (a subject I loved at school . . . 17 years ago).
Quote from: Barrister on July 12, 2012, 01:42:07 PM
I also find it amazing how three people have complained about their lack of historical knowledge, when I bet everyone on this forum knows more about history than 95% of the world.
It's here that I realize how little I know about ancient history. On many of those topics I probably know little more than the average person.
I know fuck-all about opera, modern art, hockey, baseball after 1994, pop music, Opus Dei, and the Triads.
I'm a little weak on the daily goings on of Chad's National Assembly, or what hot button issues it faces in this term. I probably can't even name every member there. :Embarrass:
I still get confused with the difference between mitosis and meiosis, and which one has the mayo.
Financial stuff. I know next to nothing about economics, very little about financial instruments, and only basic accounting.
Quote from: DontSayBanana on July 12, 2012, 02:55:48 PM
Financial stuff. I know next to nothing about economics, very little about financial instruments, and only basic accounting.
See, that's where you're wrong. You
do know enough about economics; it's those who know
too much about it that are the bullshit artists. It's the ultimate Talk-Out-Of-Your-Ass discipline. It's the modern day alchemy.
Common sense.
The history of the Bundesliga :(
Quote from: CountDeMoney on July 12, 2012, 03:00:09 PM
Quote from: DontSayBanana on July 12, 2012, 02:55:48 PM
Financial stuff. I know next to nothing about economics, very little about financial instruments, and only basic accounting.
See, that's where you're wrong. You do know enough about economics; it's those who know too much about it that are the bullshit artists. It's the ultimate Talk-Out-Of-Your-Ass discipline. It's the modern day alchemy.
You should get Banana up to speed on contracting for labor value.
I :wub: Supply Chain Management and Spartan latrine procedures, 734BC- 146BC. Don't ask me questions about either one. My fee is 500/hr, min 3 hours.
Anything China, pre 1800's. Cao Cao is about it.
Quote from: Razgovory on July 12, 2012, 01:15:16 PM
holes in our knowledge. What are yours?
A lot of things. When I think of them I'll let you know.