Is it a sin for not having a GENERAL KNOWLEDGE??

This question has always resurfaced into my mind, hungry for a doctrine of answer that can be accepted on a universal basis. In the era of knowledge economy, information have become so vital, that a lapse in concentration, will determine whether a business can move forward or diminishing in ashes. So powerful that even the street men can’t sleep well enough not knowing the future consequences of today’s action. An individual with timely information is able to reap huge rewards of succession, building a competitive edge over the rest of the pack, hence building a high barrier of entry for new competitors.

In term of human capital, having a general knowledge is seen as an intellectual individual and highly respected among society. The capacity of general knowledge elevates one’s status in a networking society, permitting him a power of influence to gather support for a cause. General knowledge can be much described as knowing the current environment surrounding one’s life, be it in economy or political or even newspaper / magazine driven information. With the advent of internet as a medium of expression & communication, the exponential growth of information is extremely amazing, as knowledge is on your finger tips just seconds away.

In a positive way of arguing such premise, why make such information overloaded commitment, when you can concentrate on a niche knowledge that can be monetized in the long run? Is being a specialist degraded your status? I don’t think so. Is knowing only on specific financial matters an indication of arrogance and selfishness? Perhaps not. But the mentality of some part of our society perceived that ‘ill-informed’ person is a sign of illiteracy, not worthy to have discussion with, and even worse, not fit enough to mingle with. Such negative tolerance on ‘deficiency’ makes me shake my head in disbelief how naïve these kind of people.

Ok, I have a storyline for your judgment.

Mr. B noticed that he has a talent in writing by accidental discovery, tracking back years during campus life. Believing he can utilize this talent to create opportunity, he invested in himself to learn the nitty-gritty of freelance writing while improving his proficiency through blogging (a low cost medium of communication). While blogging, he knows that he’s always passionate about business start-up, from business plan till implementation stage and even profit making strategy. He blogs his way through this channel while getting constant information from an informative website of entrepreneurship.

With his proficiency making the headlines by being recognized by other bloggers in the blogsphere, Mr. B continue his mission by blogging forward in-term of educating and info-sharing with community to help newbies with their start-up problems. Marketing his experience and knowledge, he leverages his talent by monetizing his knowledge for a side income through available monetization channel (i.e virtual workshop, seminars, trainings that come with a fee), all from a convenience of video-conferencing at home. Words spread out, his services are highly sought after with only time being his most constraint factor, Mr. B continues his hectic schedule by prioritizing his client-based. Then by twist of fate, a friend suggesting him to put his valuable knowledge into writing (i.e publishing books on the target topic).

Accepting the suggestion as a means of flexing his credibility, a publisher is willing to give a full support by absorbing every ringgit of the costs associated along the way, and set a win-win agreement for both parties to benefit the outcome of the books. The book hit bestseller list, Mr. B earns thousands, even reaching millions as the book being translated into different languages to suit multi-racial society. His fortunes knocking his door without a stop. Interviews, guest speaker, special slot by tv station, radio station guests, just to name a few.

Now, he’s very busy fulfilling commitment to educate society by allocating his hectic schedule week-in week-out, even though he knows he has already achieve financial freedom and don’t have to work anymore, thanks to the specific knowledge that has been brainstormed into stages of mind-map and module content, molding it into a viable business package through an established business system. One exceptional fact is that he spent less time watching tv and reading newspaper, but continue reinvesting in himself by learning the target topic for improvement from time to time, and of course through reading a designated books, surfing designated webs, and reading newspaper sections pertaining relevant and related field. No more, no less.

Is it a sin for not having a general knowledge? Can he be judged as illiterate and not worthy of having discussion with? Is he not suitable to be mingled around with? Is it a deficiency just because he did not know that Barack Obama won as the first African-American to be the next president of United States of America? Is it a self-arrogance and selfishness from Mr. B’s point of view for not knowing that Abdul Razak Baginda has been released from detention after long-period of battle for self-defiance defense from murder?

Well, some of you might argue I’m wrong. But for the sake of knowledge itself, give it a second thought. I rest my case with your opinion and wisdom thoughts . . . .