Directions

When I was in school, I remember what it was like to have a guest speaker in class.

For me at least, there was a certain sense of reverence on those days.

I would always listen with the greatest intent, take notes, and try to ask a keen question.

Yet, of the countless times that I sat through a guest speaker in class, I don't recall a single lesson they shared.

This has always puzzled me.

I remember carrying this feeling with me when I was one day given the chance to be that guest speaker.

In many cases, I was the guest speaker in several of the same classrooms where I had been a student.

I remember thinking, "I am going to do something different. I am really going to get through to at least one student and leave them with an invaluable lesson."

Oh how naive our egos can be.

Was I really any different than any of the guest speakers that I had experienced when I was student?

Very likely not. I have no evidence to tell me otherwise.

And yet, I know for a fact there were some students in those classes that were just as keen as I was, back when I was a student.

They took notes, they listened intently, and they would ask some great questions.

So, back to the puzzle.

***

The other day, I was listening to a podcast featuring a guest that I really enjoy—Naval Ravikant.

A little more than halfway through the conversation, Naval shared something that instantly solved my puzzle.

Or at least I think it's a great solution to my puzzle. You be the judge.

In his casually profound way, here's what he shared:

"Wisdom is the set of things that cannot be transmitted. If they could be transmitted, you know, we’d read the same five philosophy books, it would all be done, we’d all be wise. You have to learn it for yourself..."

Wisdom is the set of things that cannot be transmitted.

That's the solution to the puzzle! Well, kind of.

This leads to another sort of question, doesn't it.

If wisdom is the set of things that can't be transmitted, what—if anything—does get transmitted?

***

I said earlier that I don't recall a single lesson from a guest speaker that I had in school.

Let me be more specific.

I don't recall the wisdom they were trying to transmit to me. Assuming they were trying to transmit any, of course. I know I certainly was, when I was a guest speaker.

I do recall some things though.

If I had to summarize the general theme of what those things are, it would be one word.

Directions.

Of the infinite places to look, start here.

That's what I mean by directions.

As I reflect on this now, it's no different than someone given you literal directions.

They tell you roughly where to go, and it's up to you to actually follow through.

You have to discover the destination for yourself.