J E Murphy, author, poet, philosopher, credologist, student of natural history, anthropology, sociology, genetics, and politics. Novels include A VIEW FROM A HEIGHT, THE GOD VIRUS, and THE NEXT BUDDHA. I was afflicted at birth with congenital ignorance and have never recovered. At an early age, I discovered I was not alone in my affliction, although others tried to hide theirs by insisting they knew what they were doing. As I grew older, I became aware that ignorance was the number one killer in the world. It seemed infinitely more dangerous than heart disease, cancer, or diabetes. Now at this late age, I realize how wrong I was. It was not ignorance itself that was so lethal; it was the certitude of being right.