“Brittle Learning” is superficial knowing; where you’ve memorized a few “lessons” but do not truly understand the underlying principles. The minute the environment changes (and it will) then you are adrift. Your knowledge is one dimensional, cursory at best.

Textbook “proficiency” can be a good start, classroom “wisdom” can be a foundation yet robust knowledge requires acquiring street smarts to complement your book smarts. The most dangerous person is the “confident incompetent”, the one who does not know enough to know how little they know (see Dunning–Kruger effect aka illusionary superiority). Related is the need to understand the “why” of the box before one ventures outside the box. The box was created for a reason and often for a good reason at the time. Frequently the original rationale no longer exists but the wise verify their assumptions before proceeding, avoid acting precipitously, never act from hubris.

Closing Quotes:

“A little learning is a dangerous thing.” – Alexander Pope

“Knowledge, which is acquired under compulsion, obtains no hold on the mind.” – Plato

“Knowing is not enough; We must apply. Willing is not enough; We must do.” – Bruce Lee

“A man who reads too much and uses his own brain too little falls into lazy habits of thinking.” – Albert Einstein

As always, I share what I most want and need to learn. – Nathan S. Collier