Ignorance is Bliss (729 hits)
Category: Science & EnvironmentalRating: 1.83 on 14 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Tokerson (View user info) at 2005-03-02 13:08:18 EST
There's a silence among the people in my writing work group. I've little in common with the two I've been paired with and I'm also the only one who has properly completed the assignment we are supposed to be discussing, so there's virtually no speech between us. It would be rude to listen to my discman now, as that would make me seem like I'm ignoring them. My only course of action is obvious: listen to the conversations of people around me.
I'm listening to a group of girls discussing a recent strife between one of them and another of their friends. This girl is trying to justify her point of view on the argument, in what would appear to be an attempt at self-assurance. I think she's looking to her friends to tell her she's right. This makes me think of the futility of social trivialities and pointless quarrelling; this argument doesn't matter and will do nothing to contribute to the lives of these girls.
Perhaps this exact sort of scenario is a necessity, however... if it weren't for social bickering and the like, what would these girls fill their lives with? What would there be to talk about? Maybe I don't talk with the people in my group because I don't care for social nuances, and that ever-lasting hot-topic "grad". I care more for politics and interesting theories of reality and psychology, or human development and thought patterns than who is going out with who, or who is grounded and for what reason. Is it possible that these girls are doing these things and living these lives as a result of economic pressures?
Perhaps these girls are filled with this sort of life as a result of corporate intervention. Television teaches them to be pretty and have boyfriends, while the need to be pretty and have boyfriends means one must buy makeup, listen to cool music and buy fashionable clothing, but how do they know what clothes are fashionable and which styles to follow? They watch television.
While this is only a theory, it would work as a perpetuating cycle of profit to make rich men even richer. The government would also profit from this by keeping their youth as a superficial and shallow populace that cares little for their own policies and doctrines. Proof of this theory is brought to mind when I remember asking my sister the name of our Prime Minister. While I know the names of virtually everyone in Paul Martin's cabinet, she couldn't even name Mr. Martin herself. I was shocked. Alas, this is quite potentially what our world has come to... then again, just because I'm aware or even merely capable of formulating a possible opinion on society's workings, how does that make me any better? Maybe it makes me worse because I know what's being done, but don't do anything about it. I know full well at least the capabilities of these external forces, but I do nothing; I sit around and let it happen, assuming I can do nothing and that I may as well save myself the trouble of trying. In a way, I envy those girls. True, they may live through what I'd call "trivialities", but are they not happy? Once again is brought to mind a maxim I believe in with the fullest of possibility: ignorance is bliss.
User Reviews
Submitted by G-prime (user info) at 2005-03-02 17:44:30 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
But if it helps, or at least makes the situation you find yourself in more interesting for you, I don't think that television is the source of the vanity, or materialistic nature of the people around you. I think adolescence is. I'm sure that you will find, in your studies of primative cultures (try looking around New Guinea-way), that teens universally tend to, as they develope their sexual and personal identities, put on their "best face."
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True, but I think we can all agree that most people, in every culture of the world, are stupid. People are simply stupid. Doesn't matter where you're from, most of the people surrounding you are idiots. Not all, but most. I would estimate the percentage of the world population that is stupid to be about 70%. The whole world is geared toward idiocy.
Submitted by Thored (user info) at 2005-03-02 17:23:13 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Bad Photoshop Barbie.**
Submitted by Teephphah (user info) at 2005-03-02 16:45:42 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I tend to half-way agree with Fartman on this one . . .
But if it helps, or at least makes the situation you find yourself in more interesting for you, I don't think that television is the source of the vanity, or materialistic nature of the people around you. I think adolescence is. I'm sure that you will find, in your studies of primative cultures (try looking around New Guinea-way), that teens universally tend to, as they develope their sexual and personal identities, put on their "best face."
It isn't unnatural or ignorant per se. It is "what happens."
What should maybe concern you is that you are removing yourself from it.
Are you intentionally NOT participating in a (possibly important) rite-of-passage or developmental milestone? If so, why? Or, alternatively, is the skepticism you view these others with the manifestation of YOUR OWN attempt to put on YOUR "best face?" Are YOU attempting to look better than they do by playing the part of the disaffected intellectual? Perchance?
Just something to think about . . . since you are bored and all.
Submitted by Envenom (user info) at 2005-03-02 15:22:38 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
...until I smack you in the face with a shovel.
Submitted by InkyFingers (user info) at 2005-03-02 15:19:55 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
The story is funny, but you had me at the slut... +2.
Submitted by Feijuada (user info) at 2005-03-02 15:18:41 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
If you think it's bad now, you won't want to live one hundred years from now (not that you will.)
Submitted by G-prime (user info) at 2005-03-02 14:38:31 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
You sound just like me... This whole post is like something you stole from my mind...
Submitted by jumpinjellyfish (user info) at 2005-03-02 14:37:24 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
Sounds like someone needs to get laid.
Just kidding...I actually agree with you to a certain extent but you have to understand that trivial people lead trivial lives. Bring a good novel to class next time.
On a side note: if you act interested you just might get laid!
Submitted by ess-arr (user info) at 2005-03-02 13:37:51 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I care more for politics and interesting theories of reality and psychology, or human development
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maybe you can help me with my test tonight... http://www.ubersite.com/m/61040
Submitted by BLITZKREIG_BOB (user info) at 2005-03-02 13:27:13 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
They sound like what I called "hee-hee chicks" back in my college days.
Submitted by Tokerson (user info) at 2005-03-02 13:24:06 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
"I even knew who your Prime Minister is. I remember lamenting the fact that Jean Chretien lost. Not that I knew what either of them stand for but Jean Chretien just sounds better. Say it out loud a few times, nice flow isn't it."
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Jean Chretien retired and Paul Martin took his place as the head of the Liberal party; they never ran against each other... if you're interested.
Submitted by Fartman (user info) at 2005-03-02 13:20:52 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
While this is fairly well written, I get the distinct impression that you may be a pompous jackass.
Submitted by loki (user info) at 2005-03-02 13:20:38 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I even knew who your Prime Minister is. I remember lamenting the fact that Jean Chretien lost. Not that I knew what either of them stand for but Jean Chretien just sounds better. Say it out loud a few times, nice flow isn't it.
As for the post, yup that is universal. I got stuck walking behind a woman the other day who was on a cell phone having a loud conversation about what everyone was wearing at the Academy Awards. I could not give a shit if my life depended on it and yet clearly she and whomever she was talking to knew every detail.
it was painful
Submitted by knucklesnelson (user info) at 2005-03-02 13:08:53 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
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