BEDN - The Joe Who Knew Nothing (Nov 2nd)

Ohai there!

I feel I've matured to the point that I realise I know nothing.

I recently went to see 'Skyfall' at Mareel, which was a really enjoyable film and my favourite Bond by a significant margin. I would actually just watch a movie of Judi Dench's face. In my regular post-film peruse of reviews (most critics loved the film), I came across this interview in the Guardian with villain Javier Bardem because I'm painfully middle class. Along with the discovery that Bardem is the husband  of Penélope Cruz, on my 'would go there' lady list along with Marion Cotillard, he also had this little gem that epitomised what I'm thinking at the moment:

"When you're too young, you think you know everything. You don't know shit. Now I know enough to know that I don't know anything."

I think he's right. And I'm proud to have gotten to the point where I know that I have no clue what the fuck anything's about. I realised it to a certain extent when I turned 17 and got a taste of the adult world learning to drive. I naturally came into contact with many little things I otherwise wouldn't have, and it set off a kind of chain reaction. For example, I felt first hand the expense of petrol, which made me realise the expense of petrol to others who were carting me around to Timbuktu or wherever. The moments of realisation strengthened when I began to work more-or-less full time. I occasionally came across dubious marks on cinema chairs that I had no idea how to clean (the dumbstruck reaction was generally: "with a cloth..."). In terms of academic success, I had 'succeeded' at school. I think especially in junior high school, this probably made me think I was the shit to a certain extent. Mistaking for knowing stuff for wisdom, and generally being cynical. So moving to work I found gaps in what can only be described as my common sense. While these gaps are now pretty much gone, it makes me think about growing up on a more philosophical level.

It seems to me at this point that you're never really going to understand the deeper things: things that are beyond cleaning utensils. Love, purpose, death, fulfillment. The stuff that Alan Ball uses dead people to talk about. It's probably the case that as you get older, you simply have experienced more so learn to cope better with heavy shit like this. But then again, what do I know? I'm only 17.

I'm not embarrassed or ashamed about my past 'I know everything' swagger. It's all a natural part of growing up. I know I have lots more stuff to know, and have made peace with the fact that, along with everyone else, when it boils down to it 'I don't know anything'. 

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?

• Did you reach a similar point as me? When was that?
• Do you agree/disagree with what I'm saying?
• Tell me what's on your mind!
• Suggest topics for me to blog about the rest of the month.

I promise something MUCH less deep tomorrow guys, when I'll either talk about a drag queen reality competition or Derren Brown's 'Apocalypse'!

Tara x

P.S.

The Joe Who Was 'The Shit' (2009)

The Joe Who Knew Nothing (2k12)