A series of thoughts part 1: Knowing and Understanding

It's a big difference, knowing and understanding. It's not something many people think about, but it makes all the difference. People know a lot of things, people understand a lot less. People know that gravity pulls things down. Nobody understands why it happens though. A lot of times, people know that someone is mad, but they may not understand why they're mad. It's the difference, especially with people, between knowing someone, and understanding them. People know that their computer works, but they don't really understand. People know that they're going to die, but not everyone understand.

I know that when I turn on the faucet, that water will come out. I don't understand how it works. I don't understand how the water gets from rivers and dams, through the water filtering plant, and all that. I know when I turn on the stove, the gas comes out, and the spark ignites the gas and creates flame. Where does the gas come from? I don't understand how it works. How does the dam work? How does the water filtering work? How do they manage water pressure controls so sensetive? How does the gas get to my house? Where does my money go when I spend it? Pay taxes? I know it changes a lot of hands, but whos, and why? How does my car work? I know it takes me places, but I don't understand how it does it.

It's a big difference, knowing and understanding. It's not something many people think about, but it makes all the difference. Do you know, or do you understand?