Ignorance is bliss.
This statement can really be applied in many aspects of life. Generally, to someone who knows more, more is required.
For instance, an audiophile knows the difference between good sound and mediocre sound. Presumably this individual would devote time to study the different makes and models of equipments. (Requiring time and energy) Finally more money is spent in order to acquire the good sound this person has come to know and desire. Compare this with a non-audiophile, who is ignorant of the difference, and therefore is easily satisfied with average sound. Little time is used to understand and the different makes a models, and less money is spent to buy ordinary equipment.
The same can be said of cars, computers, etc. If one has a deeper knowledge of a type of merchandise or service, he/she knows the good from the bad, and naturally would desire the better. To those who are capable, more money is spent. To those who are less fortunate, this desire is unfulfilled and the person agonizes to a certain degree over it.
Now lets look at the title statement from a different angle. If one is ignorant of a piece of information, he/she cannot be held responsible for knowing it. For instance, if you knew that the company you work for has been engaged in illegal practices, say.. cheating on taxes, then you can be held responsible for knowing it and not reporting it. Or you may need to testify in court for your knowledge. Another example, if you witness a crime being committed, you can be in danger because of this knowledge you have.
This brings up another point, generally when you have come to know something, you have to take a stand. You have to either agree or disagree, accept or reject, take action or ignore. There is no middle ground. The common sense of middle ground is basically to ignore, to not care, but that in and of itself is a choice you make, versus to make up your mind. You do have to eventually make a choice, because you can be held responsible for knowing this information, but not taking a stand.
For instance, when you hear a statement made by the president, you either agree or disagree. When you learn about abortion, you either agree that it's okay, or disagree. When your brother tells you about a prank he has devised and is planning to pull on some kid, you have to either agree with it and let him carry it out, or disagree with it and try to stop him. If you choose not to care, and do not attempt to stop him, you are partially responsible when the other kid's parents come knocking on your door. It applies to just about everything...
Yet, despite the responsibilities that come with knowing, mankind has a natural yearning for knowledge, knowledge of everything big or small. From wanting to know what having an expensive home theatre is like, or wanting to know all the details about a certain conspiracy, to wanting to know more about what your friend did last weekend. Very seldom do you hear people say, "don't tell me about this, i dont want to know, because I dont want to have to act upon the knowledge."
So, after all this talk, what do you think? Ignorance is bliss??
This statement can really be applied in many aspects of life. Generally, to someone who knows more, more is required.
For instance, an audiophile knows the difference between good sound and mediocre sound. Presumably this individual would devote time to study the different makes and models of equipments. (Requiring time and energy) Finally more money is spent in order to acquire the good sound this person has come to know and desire. Compare this with a non-audiophile, who is ignorant of the difference, and therefore is easily satisfied with average sound. Little time is used to understand and the different makes a models, and less money is spent to buy ordinary equipment.
The same can be said of cars, computers, etc. If one has a deeper knowledge of a type of merchandise or service, he/she knows the good from the bad, and naturally would desire the better. To those who are capable, more money is spent. To those who are less fortunate, this desire is unfulfilled and the person agonizes to a certain degree over it.
Now lets look at the title statement from a different angle. If one is ignorant of a piece of information, he/she cannot be held responsible for knowing it. For instance, if you knew that the company you work for has been engaged in illegal practices, say.. cheating on taxes, then you can be held responsible for knowing it and not reporting it. Or you may need to testify in court for your knowledge. Another example, if you witness a crime being committed, you can be in danger because of this knowledge you have.
This brings up another point, generally when you have come to know something, you have to take a stand. You have to either agree or disagree, accept or reject, take action or ignore. There is no middle ground. The common sense of middle ground is basically to ignore, to not care, but that in and of itself is a choice you make, versus to make up your mind. You do have to eventually make a choice, because you can be held responsible for knowing this information, but not taking a stand.
For instance, when you hear a statement made by the president, you either agree or disagree. When you learn about abortion, you either agree that it's okay, or disagree. When your brother tells you about a prank he has devised and is planning to pull on some kid, you have to either agree with it and let him carry it out, or disagree with it and try to stop him. If you choose not to care, and do not attempt to stop him, you are partially responsible when the other kid's parents come knocking on your door. It applies to just about everything...
Yet, despite the responsibilities that come with knowing, mankind has a natural yearning for knowledge, knowledge of everything big or small. From wanting to know what having an expensive home theatre is like, or wanting to know all the details about a certain conspiracy, to wanting to know more about what your friend did last weekend. Very seldom do you hear people say, "don't tell me about this, i dont want to know, because I dont want to have to act upon the knowledge."
So, after all this talk, what do you think? Ignorance is bliss??
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