Ignorance Disguised as Open Mindedness

I am fortunate enough to have worked with academics for some time now. The lessons I have learned will influence me for the rest of my life. Most importantly, the correct interpretation and misinterpretation of information (from my experience, the latter occurs much more often than the first). A vital part of been a good academic is an open minded attitude to new ideas and possibilities. In fact, I would suggest that it is a positive approach to life - it opens the possibility of limitlessness. However, often under the disguise of a noble open minded individual, in my experience, comes pure ignorance.

I consider myself to be open minded - that is, I always wish to hear new ideas or ideas that challenge my own and therefore allow me to fortify my opinions or create new ones. That does not mean however that I do not have an opinion, an opinion that does not leave me balancing on the proverbial fence.

Google images ftw

 It seems nothing more than ignorance to me to hear someone declare "there is no best way". Of course there is a best way! Undoubtly and unquestionably. Finding and defining that "way" is often a tricky business on certain topics, but it is there. Whether we as humans have the chance of finding it, is another matter. All we can do it apply rational logic and science, which it seems these people often appreciate but in their ignorance they avoid decision by claiming open mindedness. Furthermore, those who consider "there is no best way" often seem to practice a specific way - which is really (excluding certain variables) an indication that they must think there is a best way, a contradiction indeed!

I am open minded. However, I like to make decisions. Decisions make science and philosophy worth pondering. If there clearly is no conclusion to be accurately and/or rationally drawn from a subject then make yourself comfortable on the fence. If you have not been exposed to appropriate information then it's also a safe spot.

My top three worst "open minded" comments are:

1) "There is no best way" 

                            

2) "Use a mixture of lots of different things, variety is the key"

3) "It's different for everyone"

To me this is a fob off comment, it's not untrue but it's used too often as something of an excuse for a lack of knowledge.

Anyway, I'm off to go eat a varied and balanced diet and use a variety of exercise techniques in my workout in case I accidently eat/use the right one and find what's best for me. After all, everyone is different and there is no best way, right?