Is Too Much Knowledge a Dangerous Thing?

Question

After answering questions about flying and a few other things, I got to thinking....

I have become much more trepidatious about several things as I've become older.

Is it because I am more cognizant of my own mortality? - or is it because I no longer have 'blind trust' since I now realize how very dangerous a lot of pursuits are? - or a combination of both?

Grace - your take was far from the truth...I am an adventurer! Just get scared while adventuring! lol

Jolie - sorry, [although thanks for the compliment] unfortuantely or fortunately, that is I how I grew up talking...lol

Goldwing.. you hit on the nail...thanks!

Answer 1

I suspect it is because we no longer think we are going to live forever, that we have the experience under our belts to know when things are not as safe as we would be led to believe, and we just are not as trusting as we once were...learned response! IT is perfectly normal to have fears of something new at our age if it involves danger, we have seen far too many things in our lives to any longer believe that nothing can happen to us...I call it common sense, not fear. Phil

Answer 2

I am adventurous, but not like I was before I had kids. Now that the kids are grown, I find there are a few things I want to do like jump out of an air plane...attached to a professional of course because I could not land myself safely, and I want a motorcycle trike (3 wheels) because of my handicap. I want to get a little Scamp trailer and just go around the US take my time and meet people and see all the beauty. I want to fly to South Africa, always have, but don't like the idea of flying so far. Will I do it? Takes $, and that I don't have and won't have for a few more years. So I guess I am adventurous again, but not going it blind, more cautious about it but I figure if it is my time to go...it is my time to go! lol!

Answer 3

Based on your thought development of this question, I would just say you've not had much adventure leading up to this period in your life. (just a guess)

So I would vote for several things, a combination of both, take some risks while you still have time and don't be a chicken!

Good luck and have some fun trying new things! I figure it this way, the worst that can happen is you can die...I think this could be the future for most of us! *w* HAVE FUN GETTING THERE!

Answer 4

The danger of Information highway then may lead to a crash?
We do not have all the answers as yet, how does one get too much knowledge? We all bing mortals, and knowing this since about seven years of age, I do not see that things have changed so much. I do see the trepidation when I at this age have an ear infection, and it seems to cause such a concern, that I may be loosing my hearing., when this also happens to children, good for a laugh, where have we lost our sense of humor....

Answer 5

My Father always taught me that Knowledge was Power! I never wanted to be powerful but I did want to learn as much as possible and to succeed, as expected by my parents, in school and college. And I did. Having said that I would have to say NO - too much knowledge is NOT dangerous. However, there is always the "criminal element" out there and many of them are both well educated and street smart and this element can be dangerous because they have knowledge of too much information about all the wrong things!

Answer 6

We are now aware that at this point in life if we are hurt it's much harder to come back from . Not just physically, but throw those $$ figures in there as well... another thing we didn't think a lot about when being adventurous back in the day... who knew it would cost you 15 grand to break a leg! We have lived long enough to see a lot of things happen to good people... and how difficult it has made things for them in the long run of things. At one time of my life I loved cliff diving... you would never catch me doing that today! We ride Harley Davidson's... and we were in a wreck... I now think long and hard before I fire that thing up... I think it's a little wisdom that things have changed somewhat, and a little restraint because we are a little fearful and a hell of a lot smarter!

Answer 7

I believe knowledge is power and one can never have too much knowledge.

I think as we age , we have learned from our experience how dangerous some things can be and we , like the Canadian Senate, take a sober second thought at the things we do.

Sometimes we say oh to hell with it , what have I got to lose?

Other times it's uh uh not going there or doing that.

All dependent on the circumstances of course.

Answer 8

No, know I don't just blindly go ahead and believe everything I read or hear. I study up on it, from various angles, to get a good perspective.

Also, when I buy something, that has to last like cameras, videos, electrical god, in fact anything, I research first, before blindly rushing in.

Knowledge at our age, is a good thing. We keep up with the ever changing world around us, and are also able to help those who are hurting, confused and just need advice.

Answer 9

For me I realized my own mortality when I had my daughter. Before that I would do anything, try anything. It didn't always stop me from doing something, but that gave me cause to think about who would take care of my precious child if I weren't around. I also think as we get older we realize not to have 'blind trust' in anything or anyone.

Answer 10

I agree with Goldwing it is a place we have achieved by living as long as we have and the knowledge we gained on the journey. I think we get wise in our old age not afraid.