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Learning Stuff Is Good, Even If You Don't Use It

by thunderbird
12 replies
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Sometimes I come across statements to the effect that learning something would be useless because you wouldn't actually use it in real life situations. If not, does anybody use dumbbells in real life situations? Does that make working out with them useless? The mind does best when it is exercised, even with stuff that may not have obvious uses in everyday life.


I don't know who this is, but here's a practical use for dumbbells.
  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    Unfortunately, I agree with all that has been said, especially "you should always learn what you like and what is useful. There is no need to learn what is useless. "

    As for dumbells? They're for dumbells! Naw, just kidding, couldn't resist. But they DO help to build strength, etc... I wish I knew HALF as much about THAT subject when I was a little kid.

    And today I know some French and German, even though many of them know english. Oddly, just as I was getting good with spanish I felt "WHY BOTHER"!?!? They don't bother learning english here, why make it easier. Well, I learned some spanish also. And also some Danish, even though many of THEM speak english and I had no reason to believe it could help me out in business or everyday life. I am EVEN trying to learn some Hindi.

    But I don't think I would bother with any other indian language, etc.... There are an awful lot. Most I know speak telagu or tamil, but that is going too far.

    Steve
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    • Profile picture of the author thunderbird
      Originally Posted by seasoned View Post

      Unfortunately, I agree with all that has been said, especially "you should always learn what you like and what is useful. There is no need to learn what is useless. "<snip>
      Sometimes useless information turns out to be very useful in unexpected places. I think confining knowledge to what is "useful" confines creativity.

      Here's an example:
      I was told that if I ever get charged at by a bull, to play dead. When I heard that, I remember thinking what a useless bit of information. Then, it really happened. I was charged at by a bull, and played dead. It worked. The bull stopped in its tracks, snorted around me for a minute, then left, and I am here alive writing useless posts on warriorforum (not saying readers of them should be grateful, but I am)
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      • Profile picture of the author seasoned
        Originally Posted by thunderbird View Post

        Sometimes useless information turns out to be very useful in unexpected places. I think confining knowledge to what is "useful" confines creativity.

        Here's an example:
        I was told that if I ever get charged at by a bull, to play dead. When I heard that, I remember thinking what a useless bit of information. Then, it really happened. I was charged at by a bull, and played dead. It worked. The bull stopped in its tracks, snorted around me for a minute, then left, and I am here alive writing useless posts on warriorforum (not saying readers of them should be grateful, but I am)
        Yeah? well I heard that if I encounter a bear, I should play dead!!! Bears LOVE meat from ANYWHERE so, logically, that doesn't make sense. Luckily I only encountered free bears about 4-5 times. I was close enough to shelter, and the bears were far enough away that I wasn't even afraid! Luckily, they had NO interest in me.

        So WHAT do they say today? If you encounter a bear, you should play dead, *****IF***** the bear is a female with cubs!!! The reasoning is you want to appear HARMLESS! So she wants to leave you alone and protect her cubs.

        OTHERWISE, try to appear big and noisy to be a threat. Hopefully they will figure you aren't worth the struggle.

        Steve
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        • Profile picture of the author thunderbird
          Originally Posted by seasoned View Post

          Yeah? well I heard that if I encounter a bear, I should play dead!!! Bears LOVE meat from ANYWHERE so, logically, that doesn't make sense. Luckily I only encountered free bears about 4-5 times. I was close enough to shelter, and the bears were far enough away that I wasn't even afraid! Luckily, they had NO interest in me.

          So WHAT do they say today? If you encounter a bear, you should play dead, *****IF***** the bear is a female with cubs!!! The reasoning is you want to appear HARMLESS! So she wants to leave you alone and protect her cubs.

          OTHERWISE, try to appear big and noisy to be a threat. Hopefully they will figure you aren't worth the struggle.

          Steve
          I'm not a zoologist but wouldn't a bull, being an herbivore, be less likely to eat you than a bear? With bears, I've found that just making a lot of noise and not being fully in their view will make them leave. So far, it has worked for me.
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          • Profile picture of the author Kay King
            Both bears and bulls are examples of knowing the species behavior. I frequently look up info to learn more about a topic I've seen mentioned in a book or news article or online.

            Bulls will challenge you - most bear species will avoid you if they can and attack only if they feel threatened or if they feel cubs are threatened.

            I learn new stuff all the time because I find something I want to know more about or want to better understand. I don't learn with the idea that I will "use" the info but just to feed my own curious nature.

            kay
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            • Profile picture of the author seasoned
              Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

              Both bears and bulls are examples of knowing the species behavior. I frequently look up info to learn more about a topic I've seen mentioned in a book or news article or online.

              Bulls will challenge you - most bear species will avoid you if they can and attack only if they feel threatened or if they feel cubs are threatened.

              I learn new stuff all the time because I find something I want to know more about or want to better understand. I don't learn with the idea that I will "use" the info but just to feed my own curious nature.

              kay
              I think bears that only have to worry about themselves are like any other animal. They ASSESS! If there is a danger, they will run. If they can't run, they will FIGHT! Of course, if you look like a good meal, or seem to think you are far more of a threat than you are, they may tear you to shreds. Most animals that care for their young either trick you, or attack. Ducks may act like a good meal(acting like they have a broken wing, etc...), and try to draw you away. Many birds do a similar thing, but are aggressive. I found a robins nest because he was trying to drive me away! Bears are more direct, like lions, etc...

              Steve
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          • Profile picture of the author seasoned
            Originally Posted by thunderbird View Post

            I'm not a zoologist but wouldn't a bull, being an herbivore, be less likely to eat you than a bear? With bears, I've found that just making a lot of noise and not being fully in their view will make them leave. So far, it has worked for me.
            OH, I NEVER doubted the bit about the bull. Just look at bull fighters. It seems the bull couldn't care less until the bullfighter starts moving about.

            Steve
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        • Profile picture of the author HeySal
          Originally Posted by seasoned View Post


          OTHERWISE, try to appear big and noisy to be a threat. Hopefully they will figure you aren't worth the struggle.

          Steve
          Um...Steve? You just try that with a Grizzly and see how long you live.

          What that quote is ...how you act around cats...Mt. Lions...cougars.

          Bears.........you can usually avoid if you make enough noise to let them know you are coming. They don't like humans and will just stay out of your way. It's when you surprise them that the emergency tactics need to be used........and apparently, need to know the right ones BEFORE you get out to the hills.
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          Sal
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          • Profile picture of the author seasoned
            Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

            Um...Steve? You just try that with a Grizzly and see how long you live.

            What that quote is ...how you act around cats...Mt. Lions...cougars.

            Bears.........you can usually avoid if you make enough noise to let them know you are coming. They don't like humans and will just stay out of your way. It's when you surprise them that the emergency tactics need to be used........and apparently, need to know the right ones BEFORE you get out to the hills.
            well, like I said, I was never in the situation where I had to worry. OBVIOUSLY, if it is a BIG bear, and close, you will have a HARD time trying to look threatening. With a mother bear and her cubs, it is another story. She just wants them to be able to play and learn IN PEACE!

            Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author Megan Elizabeth
    You can never learn too much! Your education never ends! If you're online and you come across something you've never heard of before, let's say 'business law', grab a book from the bookstore, or even hit the library and grab a book that catches your eye! Don't pick up a book or Google something that will just be "work" to you, do it because you WANT to!

    One who always leaves their mind open to learn more, is more able to survive than one who leaves their mind closed!

    Megan Elizabeth
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    A bear will attack any time you get close enough, cubs or not....but, like I mentioned, if you make enough noise that they know you're around, you won't get that close to them. Most people that are manhandled by bears accidentally walked up on one and startled it. The time I had to deal with staying a distance from a Mommy bear was really a thrill (not) because the cub wanted to follow us and we couldn't get distance from it. That bear would have eaten me for lunch had she gotten to me and I don't care if I played dead or fought back or what - that was just a bad situation. It was only finally being able to get the cub to stop so we could get distance from it that saved our hides from that one.

    There are a lot of little facts that might seem really trivial, but ya just never know when something that seems stupid will come in handy. At least if you keep learning your brain isn't going to atrophy so that makes learning a good thing no matter what you're learning.
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    Sal
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    Beyond the Path

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  • Profile picture of the author Kurt
    Big cats you stare directly in the eye. They are ambush preditors and attack from behind and are relunctant to attack face to face. If they do attack, fight back.

    But do NOT stare at a bear, especially a grizzly/brown.

    For bears, it depends on the species and circumstances. If a black bear is following you, you are its lunch. Black bears are generally afraid of people, if one is following you, it's tracking you. Fight back.

    If any bear comes through a tent with you in it, it's after YOU. It knows your are there, and it isn't after the apple in your backpack. Fight back.

    But if you see a mother grizzly with cubs and she attacks, play dead. As soon as you're not a threat she'll back off. Hopefully you're still alive.

    And don't run from any prey animal, including the neighborhood dog.

    Stuff I picked up from Discovery Channel:

    If a rhino charges, stand still, they have bad eye sight and memories and may forget what they are charging.

    If an elephant charges, stand still until you're sure it isn't a bluff, then run, making 90 degree turns as fast as you can.

    And if you're ever in Las Vegas and find yourself trapped between a blue-haired old lady and a nickle slot machine...Run! Fight back! Call 911! Every man for himself!
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