Unsettling Astonishments and the Lost Wonder of Well-Read Minds
Today, I had a chat with a very good friend and we talked about history, philosophy, and human behavior. I discussed the unsettling astonishment I had when thinking about how the English claimed a distant land as their own, pushing aside the original people.
This feeling for me was like seeing the world through an alien’s eyes—someone observing without any pre-set notions. I wasn’t trying to determine what was right or wrong. It was simply a thought that evoked wonder and surprise in me – like an unsettling astonishment.
I then reflected on how the English faced challenges in a country like India. In India, a significant number of people resisted English rule, primarily due to the influence of strong leaders. Events like WW2, coupled with internal pressures, resulted in India breaking free from English control. In comparison, on this other land, I believe the smaller and less organized population in this distant land made it easier for the English to establish dominance and suppress the natives.
However, when I shared this with my friend, with whom I often engage in deep conversations and whose knowledge and insight I greatly respect, his reaction was strangely interesting. He began recounting all the historical events he was aware of, asserting that such actions were common in the past. I felt he missed my point. While I was emphasizing the sheer wonder and astonishment, he focused on factual details. Like many well-read individuals, he seemed to overlook the core emotion, the surprise and wonder. Instead, he focused on historical justifications, even suggesting I was judging the British. In reality, I understand the natural human desire to expand territories as they get more power, wealth, and influence. So I was in complete agreement. I wasn’t passing judgment; my perspective was purely philosophical, stemming from a place of wonder and curiosity.
It’s a recurring thing. Knowledgeable individuals, even in professional settings like offices, sometimes assume they know everything due to their extensive reading. They respond without truly understanding the main idea or question, believing that their bookish insights are the right answers. However, often, people like me are just looking for a deeper conversation, similar to my philosophical musings today.
As we gather more knowledge, our natural curiosity and sense of wonder can fade. Consider a child questioning why a leaf is green. A parent might respond, “It’s because of chlorophyll.” But the child isn’t seeking a scientific explanation or a textbook definition. He’s simply captivated by the leaf’s bright color and is looking for a sense of wonder, not a detailed answer. He’s amazed by the color green and wants to know the magic behind it. Or when we look at the moon and wonder how beautiful it is, and someone says it’s just a celestial object and it’s shining because of sunlight reflection. Though scientifically correct, most people might stop wondering and accept that explanation, but they would miss out on the amazement of looking at the moon and the curiosity of its bright and organized presence, which feels nothing short of magic.
I notice this trend among many avid readers. In their search for knowledge, they sometimes overlook the essence of wonder, missing the deeper philosophical and emotional layers.
In this age filled with information, we shouldn’t forget the importance of pure wonder. These moments of pure amazement help us truly connect with this magical world, moving beyond just reading a lot and letting us feel the everyday magic around us.
Just another digital geek who is passionately curious about everything. On this blog I share my learnings and findings on almost everything ranging from Finance to Politics to every meaningful aspect of Life. Please take it with a grain of salt as I am not expert on any of these topics. I am just writing my heart out to capture my learnings and to share my lens and synthesis.