Knowing Stuff

I like to throw people.  So often they ask me, “what do you know?”  They totally do not expect my response, “plenty, what do you want to know?”  They tend to be the ones at a loss for words at that point.  Mostly they say what are the lotto numbers on some future date.
I have been giving some thought to knowing stuff.  It matters to me.  I am not talking general knowledge.  I would like to know more of that, but others are way better than me.
They do say that interest governs memory.  I have found that to be really true.  I know when I am into something I want to know all there is to know about it.  That way I can avoid errors.  Sometimes costly errors.
I am keeping a fish at the moment.  One I have never kept before.  It has its own set of needs.  I really want to know what is good for him, to not only keep him alive, but to keep him thriving.  He does look happy right now the way he vigorously swims about, but I do think I woke him the other night.
Knowing stuff can get a bad rap.  It is probably warranted when some use it as a vehicle of perceived superiority.  Few things are more off putting than someone who seems full of themselves and acts like they are the final word on anything.
I do have problems with say a swimmer being a spokesperson for something outside their field - as though what they think carries more weight because of their success in something totally unrelated.  To me that is not only misleading it can be dangerous.
The thing that matters big time to me about knowing stuff is the desire to know more and acknowledgement that there is a lot more to be known.
Another reason I like to know stuff is I reckon it is a form of protection.  So often people get drawn into stuff that leaves them devastated because homework was not done, or there was a failure to listen to a nagging doubt.  Though at other times deceivers are very clever and practiced at deceiving.
I reckon I am normally fairly careful online but have found myself tired and absently pressing a link that was there for reasons of malice only.  I am finding more and more I need to keep my guard up.  Not in a fearful way, but in an eyes open way.
But I am one to press into what I want.  There are pitfalls, but when I want to go for something I will take whatever steps are necessary.  The presence of trouble is not a showstopper but a way to having more workable defenses.
The question I ask myself is am I willing to pay the price to know more stuff or do I only wish I knew more stuff.