Is ignorance normal?

Question

Most of the people I interact with have absolutely no idea of what's going on beyond their own neighborhood, their circle of friends/relatives/etc. Politics? Science? The environment? Medicine/health? World events? No clue. Not to mention the further out stuff I'm interested in. They might tsk-tsk over the latest crime in the news or fuss about taxes but that's about it. For the life of me I can't fathom living in such ignorance. The world must seem like magic to them, where things just 'happen'. It occurs to me that people in power actually count on an ignorant, inattentive populace; most people make decisions based on emotions rather than knowledge so all you need is a persuasive manner and an understanding of how to manipulate feelings since so few are actually *thinking*.

Answer 1

Ignorance should not be an option.

Answer 2

Growing up, relatives kept calling me "stupid". So, when I finally got to college, I was amazed at how little most people know. The older I became, the higher my education, the less I found that most people know. My Journalism professor told us that newspapers are written for people with a 6th grade education; many people do not know what I was expected to know in the 6th grade. Look at all the tiny wars we engaged in down in the Carib; most Americans had no idea where any of those island nations are. While I was in the Army, I wrote to a gal living in the Philippines. Most Americans heard of President Marcos, but other than that, seemed to know nothing about the Philippines (of course, many older Americans knew, but the younger ones had no clue). I was stationed in Germany for 3 years; when I would mention to a German that I was writing to a gal from the Philippines, he would rattle off statistics, where the Philippines is located, the population, main crops there, etc., etc.
Most men that I encounter now-a-days talk only about booze, women and sports!
While I place a large part of the blame on public schools (different schools have different focuses: one principal bragged that all of his students were good in art!), the fact is that, well, the majority of people are "average" or below. I have met so many college professors that claim most people are, well, a "few bricks shy of a full load".
I certainly agree with what you say about people in power and that most people make decisions based on emotions!

Answer 3

My professors in various philosophy classes use to say that philosophy was the answer to ridding yourself and the world of ignorance. Why? Because thinking for yourself, challenging ideas and dogmas, and not allowing yourself to become complacent in any one stage in your life, will move mankind forward towards an intellectual and open minded society.
You are absolutely correct when you said most people make their decisions based on emotions, rather than knowledge (logic and facts). Philosophy is a dying discipline and that's a sad truth. People would rather base their perceptions and lifestyle on what others say and do, rather than self reflect and become aware of their own feelings and ideas. Our society has moved away from understanding their own emotional composition and individuality, to shallow goals and fleeting desires.

Ignorance is normal but not as an accepted truth. But like jealousy, hate, and insecurity, ignorance is always a part of human nature.

Answer 4

You've hit the nail right on the head there son. Apathy and ignorance of what lays beyond the common mans personal boundaries is a common disease of the human race.
This is how men like Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Mao, and Pol Pot got away with what they did.
It is practically a mantra amongst the politicians and it works very well for the most part.

Answer 5

I think peoples of many places in this world have dipped into sort of economic and social sydrome of greed and fear and selfish. Hong Kong people don't give a damn to each other either. The decomposition of culture, greedy, unconcern to what's going on or whatsoever, they seem distrust and ignorant to you. The reason is that some of them want to live the way they wanted and no bother to each other. Ignorance is normal, though he or she looks stupid and don't know what's going on this world. This world is in competitive edge of marketing, winning in sport, gambling, human relationsip, good job and being prestiges in working places and in society.I think the new trend of our generation is turning to make big money without trying hard. You can read yahoo many questions in investment tactics and how to win in investment. Fear is another syndrome of just like your neighbour could be suspecting you are a bad guy. You should try to say hello to them first and get start your conversation about current matters and then your future interest. It takes time to make perceptual friends and good conversational neighbours. Your neighbourers are civilized persons and probably educated. You probably make good conversation to the persons living next door then become friends after a while.

Answer 6

young people start out ignorant in life because we just are until we start stepping up to the plate, taking risks, challenges, failing from time to time to make us strong and achievers. Some people choose to stay ignorant even after they have a few years on them, because then they think that will excuse any responsibilities to their actions.(quite sad) Eventually we all need to face life and be willing to live.

Answer 7

From the majority of people I have met, yes ignorance is normal. That is not to say that they are unintelligent, just that their knowledge is focused on a certain expertise (mostly what they work as).
The best part is when they argue that you are making something up (just because they have not encounted it) even when what you are saying is supported from various sources.

Answer 8

People ordinarily won't look beyond their own problems, goals and drives. It's just a natural instinct to concern oneself with their own matters so as the individual is cared for. Looking off at distant subject can lead people to neglect their personal lives.

Answer 9

Your intelligence, or in-telling, is evident.

Keeping a charitable, forgiving attitude toward others who are encouraged, even manipulated, by high-powered "Madison Avenue" focus-group campaigns, is good. The majority of people are "willing victims of their own lesser desires." Forgive them, for they know not what they're doing--entangling themselves in synthetic self-ishness, the "soap operas" of life.

Those few who are "masters of manipulation" do know what they're doing, and they simply don't care.

If you enjoy reading, "Hope of the Wicked," Ted Flynn, is a collection of public quotes by such manipulators, including what they'd like to be able to do. As such, a great insight into the future.

"The Soulless One," Mark Prophet, is a brief and great look at what happens on a planet which is going this way.

As for "further out stuff," http://www.coasttocoastam.com radio has many guests who talk to your interests. (Simply click on "Affiliates" button for local station.)

You might also appreciate a more optimistic or constructive side, e.g. http://www.divinecosmos.com The site's owner is profiled in "The Reincarnation of Edgar Cayce?", Free and Wilcock.

Also, "Men in White Apparel" and "Watch Your Dreams," Ann Ree Colton, and "Man, Master of His Destiny," O. M. Aivanhov, are worthwhile.

"Extraordinary Knowing," Dr. Elizabeth Mayer, "Soul Traveler," Albert Taylor, and "Psychoenergetic Science," Dr. William A. Tiller, http://www.tiller.org http://www.integralscience.org http://www.noetic.org http://www.tcm.phy.cam.ac.uk/~bdj10 and http://www.quantumbrain.org are worthwhile

If you're into political conspiracy, would suggest http://www.prisonplanet.com and http://www.jimmarrs.com including his "Rule by Secrecy," and Daniel Estulin's "The True Story of the Bilderberg Group," http://www.danielestulin.com (Click on "English" for English readers.) http://www.aboveblack.com and http://www.abovetopsecret.com also intriguing.

kind regards,

j.

Answer 10

I once heard a story about the late great Frank Zappa. Grace Slick asked Frank "Does it surprise you that so many people are so stupid" To this he replied " No not really, what surprises my is when I find someone intelligent"

Answer 11

you are absolutely right...people in power do count on manipulating gullable ignorant people to keep them in power. I think our elections would be much better if every ballot had one of these choices;

[x] I don't know
[x] I don't care
[x] none of the above

People should be encouraged to void "I don't know" if they aren't pretty sure...