Beginning of Wisdom

A wrist-worn clock is a remarkable invention and a marvel of manufacturing. The first common availability of wristwatches appeared about a century ago, when we still moved about the earth under steam power, and we performed calculations on paper using nothing more than a pencil and the mind. 

The engineering problems to be solved in creating such a timepiece loomed enormously. The astounding miniaturization required mechanical precision beyond that previously known. The result would, by necessity, operate reliably under the widely varying temperatures of different seasons, and the dramatic shaking and twisting motions produced by the wrist. Difficulty dogged the task.

The raw materials of brass, steel, glass, and the precious gem ruby, required meticulous manipulation into tiny gears, springs, bearings, escapements, and indicating hands– a myriad of diverse and highly precise components. Then, by the aid of optical magnifiers and substantial manual dexterity, these diminutive pieces joined into a well-oiled, perfectly operating time measurement system.

The final product astonished their early adopters. The original all-mechanical (analog) versions accurately timed the passage of the hours to within about ten parts in one million– equivalent to "swishing" a basketball shot from fifteen miles away. Today's digital versions of a wristwatch measure the flow rate of time to within just one part in a million– that same "nothing-but-net" shot from 150 miles off! And we  now easily partake of this newest technology for the mere price of only a few standard hours of labor– another remarkable achievement.

But what does this have to do with "knowledge," or "wisdom?" The sequence of complexity and utility, in the example of the wristwatch, progresses from raw materials, to components, to the complete, functioning system. From the particulars, to the whole– from the atoms to the universe.

At the base level, raw materials are akin to the most basic forms of knowledge– we call these "atoms" data, or more typically, facts. These raw materials are of almost no utility in their nascent form. They must first be mined from the depths, then purified, and finally transformed into something of greater effect.

These elements morph and transition to the next level– precision components. These are the "gears" and "dials" of information in the world of knowledge. These cogs of information begin to be useful to the one possessing them, but the complete and useful system yet awaits compilation.

Finally, as the precision components of information are painstakingly assembled, a body of knowledge takes shape– the full integration of information. This knowledge is a thing now powerful. As some have rightly noted, even a little of it can be a dangerous thing.

So, there it is–

from raw materials
to precision components
to a working mechanism–

from facts
to information
to knowledge. 

But what of wisdom?– the main interest here lies in the distinction and significance of wisdom– what does  a wristwatch have to do with wisdom?

Wisdom is looking at the watch on your wrist and realizing that it is 3:23PM– leaving you exactly enough time to throw your suitcase into the car, drive to the airport, park in the long-term lot, check through security, and make it to your gate– just in time for your 6:10 flight to Chicago.

"How blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding. She is more precious than rubies; and nothing you desire compares with her. She is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and happy are all who hold her fast. The LORD by wisdom founded the earth, by understanding He established the heavens."
(Proverbs 3.13-20)

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."
(Proverbs 9.10)

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>>> Unless otherwise attributed, all text and images are Copyright, Bill Brockmeier, 2015. All rights reserved.