Why Are People Willfully Ignorant?

[Aunel]

I direct you towards "Enemy" by Scars On Broadway,
and to help, our drugs are the media

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dEmm-rLas

 

[ZeroMachine]

I chose to believe that everybody is born at (roughly) the same level of intelligence.

Right there is your problem.

Word for word what I was going to say.

 

[annoyinglizardvoice]

A mixture of lazyness and fear.

Too lazy to bother using their brains and/or too scared of what they'll realise when they do.

 

[RagingScottsman]

It sounds like you are the one with your head in your ass. All you've done in this topic is tell us that you consider yourself smart and other people ignorant. Perhaps YOU need to get YOUR head out of YOUR ass and realize that people with differing opinion, habits, and viewpoints are not necessarily the ignorant idiots you perceive them to be.

If you had given an example of someone that you know actually stating something that they thought they knew that happened to be incorrect, you would have the basis for a good topic. As of now, your question is: "Why do I think that many people in my school are ignorant?"

The answer to that my friend, is because they have a viewpoint that is different from yours. By definition, you are ignorant.

Let's bear in mind that we are dealing with a high-school kid, and being such he's entitled to a certain degree of pretentiousness. He may not be 100% right in his view, but you certainly can't hold it against him that he's bold enough to question the status quo.

So here is my question to you guys (actualy, I have 2):
1-When did being a dipshit become cool? And how the fuck did we let that happen?
2-Why doesn't society honour those who do well, get educated, ect?

Well you see little Timmy (yes, I will address you as such), the Alpha male is a concept prevelant in the evolutionary process of all species. This image of the grunting idiot who's knob is jumped by every female because he has the largest biceps and the most shiny objects is an image that is regurgitated endlessly by the media because it is an easy one to sell. It is an instinct at least latent in every human being so selling such images broadens your demographic quite a bit.

There is a glimmer of hope though. Man has thankfully evolved past the point where the ability to wield a jaw bone with more lethality than your neighbor is an eternally appealing attribute. The whole of society does indeed honor it's intellects and free-thinkers as highly as their macho counter-parts. This honor may not always come in the form of the monetary (NFL players will probably always make more money than the US mint) but life has a way of evening things out. Just hold out Timmy; people wise up a little after high-school.... a little.

 

[Worsle]

The irony is fucking astounding, you say you're intelligent and yet you can't answer your own simple-as-dog-shit question.

I think that the thoughts on Communism war tactics ethics astronomy economy history and everything in-between are better subjects than "This TV show is teh best evar" It's not hard to make a good subject matter ... It?s just people refuse too...

Mate, who gives a fuck about that? People don't "just refuse to", it's because to most people, that shit is about as much fun as punching yourself in the face. How about realising that people talk about what they enjoy? People talk about TV shows because they enjoy those shows, I talk about parkour because I enjoy it, my mate talks about soccer because he enjoys it.

What would change if everyone started discussing the effect of communism on the film industry? Nothing. Why discuss something that's completely and utterly pointless if no one enjoys it?

I'm not saying you're arrogant, but I will say that it's far worse when people hold these views than it is for people to choose to remain ignorant of things they have absolutely no control over.

I talk about things because it gives me knowledge and I find happiness in knowledge and when I say they refuse too I mean they will flat out give me an argument starter and walk off as if they never said anything to begin with witch pisses me the fuck off because then they learn nothing and they stay walking around spewing the same thing never learning there?s two fucking ways to see it maybe if we all started discussing why communism works I will stop hearing stupid points on communism (No I?m too tired to think of an appropriate example its 6 in the fucking morning) If people would stick to what they liked "I know nothing about parkour so I will not say who is the best free runner" But if you?re going to give someone shit about what they think is right then you better be ready to put up an argument hence why I hate the ignorant they start an argument and when losing they leave ... Understand?

You know what I will say you are arrogant. Any one else in this thread with the smug sense of self satisfaction that they know better is as well. You are also not as smart or as free thinking as you would like to believe either. Being too smart is not an excuse for poor social graces while we are at it.

There is a reason why people talk about tv and what celebrities are up to, because they find it fun. While I am sure some people find communist military tactics a fun subject too but I struggle to see how it would come up or it really being that popular a topic. Though maybe they walk off because they don't see it as an argument starter? You know it is not smart to go into argument mode just because some one says something you don't agree with either, some times you just have to let things slide. Also they might be giving up on the arguments because they find you opinionated, really if some one was spoiling for an argument every time you say some thing they find wrong I would find it hard not to walk away too.

Really social decline is old news, it is about as old as the written word. No really there are Babylonian texts complaining about how the world is fall apart, taking its time though.

 

[la-le-lu-li-lo]

Preach it...

That was a bit preachy, wasn't it? /: Or were you supporting me!?

 

[SnipErlite]

Because "all the cool kids are doing it", perhaps?

For what it's worth, I value wit, smarts and intelligence over looks and popularity (in fact, popularity actually scores points AGAINST a girl, in my opinion)

Haha so true I do the same - you see all the generic slutty girls who are dumb as hell (not even stupid, just they don't put any stock by the good qualities of people).

And these aer the ones everybody likes

Gah. I hate people

=]

 

[Cowabungaa]

The combination of being an inherently lazy species and a bred-in fear of the unknown. It's hard-wired, deep-down into a lot of us and makes sense from a survival perspective.

But why are the jocks and whores popular? All of them are douchebags.

Physical prowess, that's all there is to it. Yeah, we're not as advanced as a species as many of like to think, we're not thát different from simple cavemen, we just cover it up with fancy toys.

 

[El Poncho]

Well, being a 'jock' as you americans say doesn't really contribute to being popular, neither does being a whore. A very small amount of people in my School know who is on my schools football(soccer) teams(different teams for different age groups). As i've said before the popularity of someone doesn't usually go by their friends in my school maybe a few people who they talk to in class and you don't get condemned for being smart in my school, the stupid people don't say being smart means nothing it's usually 'Why are so smart' and I don't really know how to answer that.

 

[Cowabungaa]

the stupid people don't say being smart means nothing it's usually 'Why are so smart' and I don't really know how to answer that.

You answer by saying this:
Remember boys and girls, every pop culture reference used in real life earns you a cookie.

 

[McClaud]

I feel like taking the conspiracy theorist side of things right now.

With how I see our government systems run it seems like they want us
to be ignorant and bias. My favorite example is how Republican and
Democrats may hate each other with a romantic passion, but won't acknowledge
the fact how close their parties political agendas are. This creates
the 'us against them' mentality in people. So once a person picks a
side they will use tactics like self deception and conformation bias
in order to continue to believe what they defined as true.

And if you wonder why the government would do such a thing just think,
who is easier to control: Free thinkers who do not affiliate themselves
with any part in order to escape a bias opinion, or a majority of people
who are ignorant and easily mislead.

Two issues I have with this, otherwise you're on the money -

1. There's nothing wrong with the institution of government. Government is an operating system. Now, people are either good or bad, and they influence government POLICY, which can be a problem. Government does not care who is using the operating system or for what reason. The "government" isn't out to get you - certain people IN government ... maybe.

2. A lot of political bias is created by outside media influences, like Rush Limbaugh or Glenn Beck. People gravitate towards similar mindsets and ideals, even if rest of the stuff these people say is crap. Yes, the political parties are very close about policy in a lot of ways, but the "us vs them" mentality is created by a few very outspoken dipshit politicians backed by a bunch of loud-mouthed disinfortainment media celebrities.

But yes, people in power - in power in everything, not just government - want people to stay ignorant and less inclined to affect change that will break the cycle of power.

 

[RyantheLion]

1. it became cool when it was going against the norm now most people are that way and we will start seeing people who are all about "new" ideas and progress basically a hippie but with a different message and when the majority is like that we will go to being simple i.e. jocks and stuff I believe people want to go against the norm so they can believe themselves special and unique therefore able to make an impact on the world and be remembered for it to boost there egos. But I agree with king Solomon when he said that there was nothing new under the sun so we should just live our lives and be happy. (and to remember that God will judge us in the end but I don't think you care to hear about that.)

2. doctors and lawyers get educated and society must value them because they get paid a shit load of money.

 

[JenXXXJen]

For what it's worth, all the 'popular' people at my school are really nice, and smart. Plus, almost all the popular guys are gay. Make of that what you will. Yes, there's plenty of idiots, but they're not popular. While I'm at it, the good looking people are really nice too, while most of the bitchy girls are not very pretty.

Seriously, I'm sure these high school stereotypes only exist in films and America.

 

[MikeOfThunder]

What about your ignorance?

Say that one of those dumb jocks is actually a fantastic painter or a brilliant historian, but doesn't flaunt his ability too anyone and instead holds it close to him... are you not just steriotyping him? being ignorant in your own way?

I have found several people at uni so far that are very attractive girls and you would think by their attitude that they are not all that bright and simply get drunk all the time (which they do) but at the same time they study law and want to become lawyers... and are intelligent.

Saying all that though - their are morons out there...

 

[Deleted]

Ignorance is bliss. If you were so profound and deep Mr. Philosopher why don't you spend all day reading books. Basically what you're saying is someone who pursues a life of entertainment and enjoyment instead of work and changing the world are stupid ignorant buffoons, it ain't like that

And this is comeing from me, I'm a 'smarty-arty' like you but I don't want to change the word, I just want to chill.

 

[clipse15]

The irony is fucking astounding, you say you're intelligent and yet you can't answer your own simple-as-dog-shit question.

I think that the thoughts on Communism war tactics ethics astronomy economy history and everything in-between are better subjects than "This TV show is teh best evar" It's not hard to make a good subject matter ... It?s just people refuse too...

Mate, who gives a fuck about that? People don't "just refuse to", it's because to most people, that shit is about as much fun as punching yourself in the face. How about realising that people talk about what they enjoy? People talk about TV shows because they enjoy those shows, I talk about parkour because I enjoy it, my mate talks about soccer because he enjoys it.

What would change if everyone started discussing the effect of communism on the film industry? Nothing. Why discuss something that's completely and utterly pointless if no one enjoys it?

I'm not saying you're arrogant, but I will say that it's far worse when people hold these views than it is for people to choose to remain ignorant of things they have absolutely no control over.

I talk about things because it gives me knowledge and I find happiness in knowledge and when I say they refuse too I mean they will flat out give me an argument starter and walk off as if they never said anything to begin with witch pisses me the fuck off because then they learn nothing and they stay walking around spewing the same thing never learning there?s two fucking ways to see it maybe if we all started discussing why communism works I will stop hearing stupid points on communism (No I?m too tired to think of an appropriate example its 6 in the fucking morning) If people would stick to what they liked "I know nothing about parkour so I will not say who is the best free runner" But if you?re going to give someone shit about what they think is right then you better be ready to put up an argument hence why I hate the ignorant they start an argument and when losing they leave ... Understand?

So basically your a smug arrogant tool. Tell me why does what you like to discuss more important than what other people discuss? I want concrete proof on how your conversations effect anything and if they don't then your clearly just a hypocrite.

 

[geldonyetich]

Ignorance is the essence of partying on without worrying about paying the piper in the morning. Of course it'll be cool. Of course it'll lead to ruin.

"Ignorance is bliss" is a lovely statement, but it falls flat in the face of getting your ass kicked by reality ignored too long, and that serves you right for taking at face value every popular saying that wanders your way. You probably also go out of your way to be an asshole because you heard good intentions are the road to ruin.

Of course, at the bottom of the ignorance problem is that thinking, really thinking, is hard.

 

[oppp7]

Nobody even argued that point.

Not even you?
OT: I don't think it's all about ignorance being bliss. I can normally figure out insincts and psychology. Give me a minute...
Improper concept of time? Many of them seem to think that the future can be put off indefinately, or they can fix it by then. Or like the case of me, use logic to destroy your life(such as promising yourself to do an assignment later because at that time nothing important is happening, then forgetting it and having to last minute the entire thing). Not really sure about these; I normally can only figure it out if it applies to me, and I'm like you; I prefer the history of Germany to the history of some party last Friday. Maybe they're just shallow and don't care? People are coddled too much in today's society. They have to realize shit is real and our society can fall apart from their actions.