We've all heard the saying, "Ignorance is bliss." Yet, is it really? And even if we can have it, is it really worth it? In fact, even though "ignorance" can be "bliss," it may be pretty expensive for us, in many ways. Why?
Because, as another saying goes, life is not always fair.
Several years ago, I got a traffic ticket because a new law had gone into effect a few months earlier. The police officer that gave me the ticket didn't care that I didn't know about the new law. To him, that wasn't relevant at all. Why? Because there's also the well-known fact that just because you might not know about a law, it doesn't mean you're not responsible for it. In that case, ignorance is definitely NOT bliss. In fact, it can be pretty expensive and stressful!
Now common sense would dictate that you should try to keep up with developments in the world around you. However, as I see it, it appears that people are actually being discouraged from thinking for themselves; sometimes passively, sometimes actively.
Several of the print and audiovisual media appear to have a strong bias toward creating the news rather than reporting the news. As should be clearly evident from recent and current activities in the mortgage lending business, the stock market and various and sundry financial bailouts, many leaders should not be trusted to report the truth. Frequently, the truth has been told but it has not been the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, leaving us to arrive at the wrong conclusion, because parts of the truth were omitted. Politicians worldwide have become the undisputed experts at telling part of the truth to lead us to their desired conclusion.
This phenomenon of lack of independent thought, has made its presence known in virtually all aspects of our lives. I have personally experienced this when I have questioned a request for documentation. My request has usually been greeted with a dismissive response such as: "its company policy" or "this is what the computer says to do". In rebuttal, I have asked: "Do you know the reason for this policy? I am sure there has to be reason." To that, the usual response is: "I don't know" along with a vacant facial expression that says: "I don't care to know." When I have rebutted: "the computer says" excuse with the statement that: "computers do not usually program themselves, they are programmed by people", I have received the equally vacant and uninterested response.
Ignorance is not bliss - or if it is, it can be a very expensive thing indeed. Ignorance can even kill you. We've all heard the stories of people who have died due to drug interactions which they were unaware of. I was prescribed a drug some years ago - upon looking into the drug, I found that one of the possible side effects of this drug was leukemia! Since the cure was far worse than the disease, I refused to take the drug. One can also look at the tragedy of Jonestown to see the fatal effects of ignorance and failing to think for oneself.
Scammers, too, thrive on ignorance because those who fall victim have been too trusting in their ignorance. In some cases, these victims were the targets of serious crimes, even murder. So, take a look at your own life. If you have areas of "blissful ignorance" that might be costing you more than you know, be aware of them. Or, discover them if you don't know what they are. Above all, stay aware, and keep an open, questioning mind and an attitude of discovery. Ignorance isn't always bliss, and in fact it can cost you very dearly. - 16890
Because, as another saying goes, life is not always fair.
Several years ago, I got a traffic ticket because a new law had gone into effect a few months earlier. The police officer that gave me the ticket didn't care that I didn't know about the new law. To him, that wasn't relevant at all. Why? Because there's also the well-known fact that just because you might not know about a law, it doesn't mean you're not responsible for it. In that case, ignorance is definitely NOT bliss. In fact, it can be pretty expensive and stressful!
Now common sense would dictate that you should try to keep up with developments in the world around you. However, as I see it, it appears that people are actually being discouraged from thinking for themselves; sometimes passively, sometimes actively.
Several of the print and audiovisual media appear to have a strong bias toward creating the news rather than reporting the news. As should be clearly evident from recent and current activities in the mortgage lending business, the stock market and various and sundry financial bailouts, many leaders should not be trusted to report the truth. Frequently, the truth has been told but it has not been the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, leaving us to arrive at the wrong conclusion, because parts of the truth were omitted. Politicians worldwide have become the undisputed experts at telling part of the truth to lead us to their desired conclusion.
This phenomenon of lack of independent thought, has made its presence known in virtually all aspects of our lives. I have personally experienced this when I have questioned a request for documentation. My request has usually been greeted with a dismissive response such as: "its company policy" or "this is what the computer says to do". In rebuttal, I have asked: "Do you know the reason for this policy? I am sure there has to be reason." To that, the usual response is: "I don't know" along with a vacant facial expression that says: "I don't care to know." When I have rebutted: "the computer says" excuse with the statement that: "computers do not usually program themselves, they are programmed by people", I have received the equally vacant and uninterested response.
Ignorance is not bliss - or if it is, it can be a very expensive thing indeed. Ignorance can even kill you. We've all heard the stories of people who have died due to drug interactions which they were unaware of. I was prescribed a drug some years ago - upon looking into the drug, I found that one of the possible side effects of this drug was leukemia! Since the cure was far worse than the disease, I refused to take the drug. One can also look at the tragedy of Jonestown to see the fatal effects of ignorance and failing to think for oneself.
Scammers, too, thrive on ignorance because those who fall victim have been too trusting in their ignorance. In some cases, these victims were the targets of serious crimes, even murder. So, take a look at your own life. If you have areas of "blissful ignorance" that might be costing you more than you know, be aware of them. Or, discover them if you don't know what they are. Above all, stay aware, and keep an open, questioning mind and an attitude of discovery. Ignorance isn't always bliss, and in fact it can cost you very dearly. - 16890
About the Author:
Did you enjoy reading this article? Would you like to read more like it and start living a more empowered life? Maurice Taitt, a leader in personal development has written dozens of Personal Development Articles and produced several Personal Development Videos that will help you to start living the life you were meant to live.
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