Here we have different life stages of human development. (thanks to pixy.org for the picture). In each of those stages we learn something new – first we explore the world around us by all our senses. We are looking at, touching, tasting, listening, sniffing what is at hand. Parents or siblings may tell us off in case the thing we explore is dangerous, for example a knife. Well, ask Google or whatever you favorite search engine is. There is a lot of information around. The only things you need is a computer and internet connection.
So this is the general knowledge. When talking about lifelong learning it is clear that we learn different “stuff” in different life stages. Consequently we are building on what we’ve learned before. After we learn to talk, read and write we are well equipped for the life, the life happening to you while you are busy making other plans. (John Lennon)
So we (= most humans from the age of approx. 3 until the death) have an instrument to gather more knowledge by asking questions, but at some point we stop asking. Only kids still do.
Why?
Is the life too complicated for easy yes/no questions? Are we embarrassed we don’t know what “the others” may know? Are we embarrassed we can’t speak the language of “the others”? Do we have a notion we grew up with, assuming that everyone else is of the same opinion? Are there any other reasons?
It is unfortunate that most communication moved to social networks nowadays. Written communication lacks the nonverbal parts like body language, eye contact or facial expression. Without asking “where do you have it from?”, “how do you mean it?” or “why do you think so?” we can’t be sure if the “words, words, words” were meant seriously or as a joke. Just look into slovnik.cz (or any other dictionary) to see how many possibilities there are to translate one word. Only native speakers or those learning from early childhood may not need to check its meaning before using it.
Please, learn from/about one another before dismissing them. I feel lucky being able to learn from my kids and grand kids, even if I see them just few times a year. It is the toll of living abroad for more than originally planned one and half year.