If you had to be either blind or deaf, which would you choose and why?

Question

Veritas: from the number of people choosing to be blind, it quite self-evidently isn't "self-evident". If it's evident to you, perhaps you need to expand your answer?

Answer 1

I was going to ask this very question, but I'm not sure I have the answer myself. I can only offer very personal thoughts. For me music evokes more feelings than anything else. But by now I've heard so many songs and sounds that I can hear things in my head. Even reading the answers from different people here on Y/A I can hear different voices for each of them. So in the end I'd opt to be deaf because I believe there's more to discover for me in the visual world.

Answer 2

I used to belong to a fund-raising group for the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and there were several blind members in the group.

When this question was raised they all said they would choose to be deaf as it is easier to live a "normal" life. Blind people cannot drive and that imposes a big restriction on them.

Personally I would hate to give up music, the sound of my children's voices, my cat attempts at a miaow and my lover whispering but that would be preferable to losing the sight of them all.

Answer 3

Obviously deaf. Your understanding of the world would be more impaired if you were blind, than if you were deaf. I think that the answer is self evident, and anybody who doesn't choose it, has a problem.

Answer 4

I have to say I would choose to be blind. I know a blind guy, 24 years of age, and he is so in tune with life that the only thing stopping him having a good time is himself if he chooses to.

He is a great guy, a really great guy. And having lsitened and learned from him, I can tell you I would most definietly not like to be deaf. He does everything through his hearing instead and his love of music is so that it is on par with mine, I would most definitely not like to lose my hearing.

So sight... as some things in life are best left unseen and that which needs to be heard ought toc be heard... anything is else is just wind shaking the barley...

Answer 5

Both are scary to think about. I couldnt image not seeing my loved ones or hearing the coo of my baby. If I had to choose, I would choose deafness. You can feel vibrations and read lips. If I was blind, I would have to have assistance with doing things and I would miss my childs first smile and seeing the face of the man I love.

Answer 6

Deaf because I could learn to sign and read lips. To be blind I would miss out on the beautiful things in world I have yet to see.

Answer 7

Blindness is preferable.

Suicide is much commoner among the deaf.

I suggest that this is because the deaf are unable to communicat directly and spontaneously with others, and their isolation in the world is far greater that that suffered by the deaf.

Answer 8

I would be deaf- you can still experience music (through vibration) and read lips. but I don't know what I'd do if I could never see the people I love or great art again! I couldn't imagine spending the rest of my life in the dark- the thought frightens me!

Answer 9

What a question. I love music, and can't imagine living without it, yet sight is the all-important sense in terms of mobility. I think I'd rather be deaf.

Answer 10

Blind.
You can experience blindness when ever you want. Turn off all of the lights or cover your eyes. I think that I would go insane in complete silence. Although I would probably sleep better.