The title is a quote from comedian Emo Phillips, and is used to illustrate that there are a lot of things in life we may not understand, and it's OK. Brains function differently. Some people are voracious learners, some remember seemingly everything, some can explain any conundrum, and some are just clueless (to varying degrees).
There are a lot of things I need to know in life, but probably an even greater number of things that it's either nice to know or I don't need to know at all. For work, it's important to know the physical environment and how it operates (policies and procedures), who works there, and the people we serve. Less important is knowing all of the details of everyone's personal life, where the spare toothbrushes are stored or how much everyone gets paid. You tend to remember the important stuff, and know where to look or who to ask for the other stuff.
Outside of work, I also prioritize what I choose to understand and remember. Examples of things I choose not to understand/remember:
- Algebra (it has been 40 years since I learned it and I still haven't used it)
- Suggested Retail Price (it's just something made up with no link to reality)
- Why does anyone care about what anyone named Kardashian says or does?
- What possessed Lincoln Chaffee (and several other equally notables) to run for President?
- Street names (I can get where I want to go in Burlington but usually have no idea of the name of the street)
- Fairs (they are often little more then open-air psychiatric units)
- Who is my State Representative? (I have no idea and not knowing hasn't done any harm)
- What are the names of the prescription medications I take? (I know some, but I can just look at the bottles)
- When did I get divorced? (I would need to find the divorce papers; but it really doesn't matter)
- When are various relative's birthdays? (Fortunately, my wife remembers these things)
- Why are any of the Real Housewives shows on television?
- How did we ever do our taxes correctly ourselves before Turbo Tax?
These are just a few examples; there are probably hundreds more. I am also sometimes amazed at some of the stuff that I remember that seems pretty useless (history, quotes, etc.). As long as I can remember or research the important stuff, though, it's OK.
Like Emo, there are things in life that just work, I am not sure why, and I don't really need to know.
