“Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don’t.”
-Bill Nye
About Bill Nye
First off, I love Bill Nye! I’m sure most of you have heard of him, but here is a little bit of background about him. He went to Cornell University and graduated in 1977 with a BS degree in mechanical engineering. He worked for Boeing for several years. While there he invented a hydraulic resonance suppressor tube used for 747 airplanes. So he actually has a science background and is a very smart guy. In 1986, he left to pursue comedy and writing. Then in 1993, he became Bill Nye, the Science Guy, we all know and love.
It was my favorite when we got to watch Bill Nye the Science Guy in school because he always explained the experiments so well. He was also goofy and made science look like fun. He may be part of the reason I work in a lab today. The show was such a hit it was nominated for 23 Emmy Awards and won 19! After his show was over in 1998, he continued trying to make the world a better place through education. Now he has a show on Netflix called Bill Nye Saves the World. It’s geared more towards adults and he talks about problems the planet is currently facing.
Quote Context
Bill Nye said, “Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don’t” in 2014, while he was giving the commencement speech for UMass Lowell. He went on to describe different professions like mechanics and cooks and how they are experts in their own field. He said, “Respect their knowledge. Learn from them. It will bring out the best in both of you.” Then he challenged everyone to “question things,” claiming that there will be world-changing discoveries in our lifetime. His main point was to inspire the students to change the world for the better.
My Thoughts
I really like this quote and I believe it because it is TRUE. You can’t know everything, that’s impossible. “Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don’t.” This is because people are unique; they have different life experiences and possess skillsets different from everyone else.
As a result, someone along the way will know something that you don’t. This is why you should respect and listen to everyone. Keeping an open mind and listening to not only those you believe to be smarter or better than you at something, will benefit everyone. We shouldn’t feel upset or threatened that we don’t know everything. We should use it as an opportunity for learning and bettering ourselves.
Final Feelings
By considering everyone’s thoughts and opinions, each person can walk away with more knowledge than before. This may lead to a connection not previously thought of or one that might not have been possible without their information. To quote my favorite Disney song:
“If you walk the footsteps of a stranger, you’ll learn things you never knew, you never knew.”
-Colors of the Wind – Disney’s Pocahontas
This is also very true and I couldn’t say it better if I tried. If you can put yourself in someone else’s shoes or listen to what someone else has to say, a whole new world of information will open up to you. No one’s lives are exactly the same, everyone has their own distinct thoughts and ideas, so learn from everyone, grow as a person, and one day spread the knowledge.
I hope the quote, “Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don’t” inspires you to be a better person and change the world for the better.
Do you love Bill Nye as much as I do? Does this quote inspire you? Do you believe it to be true? If you are loving Quill Quotes, please subscribe or follow us on social media so you never miss a post.
Brooke, you and several grandkids never cease to amaze me with your wisdom. What a treat to read your comments. I agree with the quote by Bill Nye that everyone we meet will add to our own knowledge of what we know or think we know. (Not sure if this makes sense). All we have to do is learn to listen to others and not think that we know everything. Sometimes I loose out on learning something I did not know because I don’t want to show my lack of an education to others. I am going off subject but do want to applaud you and Kevin for being the wonderful younger generation that you are.
Thank you so much! It makes complete sense and I agree! It’s very hard for people to admit they don’t know something because they fear they will be judged or looked at differently. I think we should all practice letting go of that fear.