At Dropping knowledge International we start with the simple premise: asking questions invites people into conversation, rather than shutting down discussion by giving only answers. We do not ourselves claim to have all the answers to the challenges facing the world, nor do we even claim to know the exact nature of those challenges.
We take inspiration from Egyptian novelist Naguib Mahfouz, who won the 1988 Nobel prize in literature. Mahfouz wrote:
You can tell whether a man is clever by his answers.
You can tell whether a man is wise by his questions.
What’s so great about questions? DKI does not believe that talk is better than action. But we do know that talk—open dialogue, uncensored, in a free spirit—leads to better action.
The first objective of Dropping Knowledge is to generate dialogue and open inquiry: among individuals and groups from around the world, existing non-profit organizations, corporations, social movement leaders, and everyday people. DKI generates discussion not just for the sake of talking, but because we strongly believe that solutions are better devised and implemented when we understand where others are coming from, what they want, what they need. And this is not just our belief: years of experience in social change programs and extensive research confirm that mutual understanding is a basis for effective change.
Organizations and individuals involved in social change efforts have often made the mistake of thinking that they know what is best for someone else. The results are sometimes just an error, sometimes a disaster, and almost always a waste of resources. Humanitarian aid groups bring in tons of rice to a poor area, for example, and without intending to, destroy the local agricultural economy, deepening poverty in the area and creating dependency on outside aid. Population planners introduce a birth control device to a group of women, without considering cultural practices that might prohibit certain behaviors, thus creating conflict and perhaps a false sense of security. Our question campaign provides a way to avoid this kind of common mistake.
DKI seeks to generate dialogue as a crucial first step in creating actual change on the ground—change that is effective, long-lasting and sustainable. We do this by asking questions ourselves and by promoting the practice of asking questions.
