Weekly Technetic #2: The Second Key
Learning makes us better.
The Second Key is another simple statement that shouldn't need to be said. Of course learning makes us better. That's why we teach our children, isn't it? But the devil is in the details, because what most people consider learning is not learning in the technetic sense.
Above all, we want to learn about ourselves and the world around us. In some cases, that takes us into the realm of science, of experimentation and theories. In others, we must instead delve into the psychological or even spiritual aspects of the human self. One allows us to use rational thought and the gifts of the Enlightenment, while the other requires an individual experience not nearly as amenable to modern methods of reasoning. Both, however, are necessary for the technetic, and both give us the opportunity to improve.
Learning also means challenging our beliefs. This is the foundation of science: any theory is subject to falsification at any time. Technetism embraces this same tenet, rejecting dogma in favor of rationality where possible, or individual experience and enlightenment where the scientific method cannot apply. We should always be ready to learn about who we are, and sometimes that does require us to face a hard truth. By keeping an open mind and accepting that challenges are not attacks, we allow ourselves the chance to see the world in a new light.
Thus, being technetic means you are a listener and a learner, someone who seeks out new knowledge and new perspectives. Let your mind stay open, your outlook positive, because you know that learning is not bad. It will never hurt you.
Positivity is the subtext of the Second Key. All of technetism is intended to be a positive force, but learning is one way to illustrate the effects of that force. By learning---by becoming better---we see that other people have other experiences, and we can then learn from them, as they can from us. This is true diversity: diversity of thought.
By the same token, remaining positive in the technetic sense means making positive choices and taking actions that lead to positive outcomes. We are teachers, because teaching lets others learn from us. We are builders, as building is creating, and creation is a positive act.
The First Key gave you entrance to technetism. The Second unlocks its first true commandment: learn from everything. Where possible, you should always be looking for opportunities to learn new things, or simply new ways of looking at old things. It's fine to surround yourself with like-minded people, as that is human instinct, but seeking out those who think or live differently will give you knowledge you didn't realize you lacked. Then, you can use that knowledge to make a positive impact on yourself and the world around you.