Posted by
Jack Fisher on Tuesday, April 28, 2009 4:46:04 PM
The old saying "ignorance is bliss" seems to be universial in its affect on societies and governments over the ages. In the old totalitarian regimes of the Soviet Union and pre-modern Europe, people were kept in the dark. They didn't know much about the world beyond their own homes. Hence, they didn't understand any more than their limited capacity to acquire information allowed them to. There was a time when the Catholic Church considered it blasphemous for anybody to read the bible in any other language other than it's native Latin or Greek. For a while it was even considered criminal for people to read the bible on their own without a priest and come up with their own interpretations. In the old Soviet Union and modern day North Korea, information regarding the advances or superiority of liberty and capitalism is highly censored. In fact, just talking about it could earn someone a death sentance for 'spreading propoganda.'
Throughout the ages religion and government have gone to great lengths to use fear to push their own agenda. History has shown that it is only through a free society where information is exchanged and uncensored that understanding and knowledge can propogate. The 21st century has completely changed that dynamic because now anybody anywhere can have access to a wealth of information on countless arrays of issues. It is now possible for people to connect with others they may otherwise have never met and converse with them even though they may not agree with their worldview. In many ways it has made humanity better by being able to spread knowledge and understanding to promote enlightenment and progress. But for some, it only brings out the worst in people.
With the freedom and sophistication of the modern age, people not only have the opportunity to access a wealth of information they have the opportunity to customize the kind of information they want to see. They can tailor their information only to their liking so that if someone wants a conservative viewpoint they can do so and those who want a liberal viewpoint could do so as well. It seems all well and good, personalizing how they get their information. But there is a considerable drawback.
If people only view information that is specifically selected to agree with their pre-concieved viewpoint then that information will only reinforce their position. It won't get them to think critically or analyze other viewpoints. It will leave them more certain and in some cases downright dogmatic. The information for other positions is there. They just don't bother looking into it.
One issue where this is most glaring is global warming. Many environmentalists have conditioned themselves to completely filter out any comments that their ridged beliefs on the matter may not be correct. If some scientist or researcher comes along and says that mankind may not actually be responsible for global warming, they brush it off and consider the scientists lackies for the oil companies or something. Their data could be right and valid by all measures, but the environementalist has been so conditioned to tune criticism out that they are bascially drones to their beliefs.
Another issue where this is prevalent is among conservative religious crowds. They too have conditioned themselves to believe that their god and their narrow interpretation of their religion is the only right way and everybody else is wrong. So when someone comes along that doesn't believe as they do, they either look down on them or completely write them off as flawed or wicked. This can lead to even more egregeous behavior like bigotry, prejudice, and in some cases violence. And at no point will they even consider the notion that they may be wrong in doing so.
From pundits to popes, viewpoints and worldviews are more skewwed than ever. When people become so reinforced in their beliefs, they get to a point where they cannot even begin to understand another possible way of thinking. And as the old saying goes, people always fear what they don't understand. So in a ways, the fear and ignroance used by religion and government in pre-modern times persists. Only now it isn't because of force or authority. It is because the masses have become willingly ignorant and will not take the time to truly investigate something and look at it from a different point of view. Even with all the information that's out there, they don't even try. Such dogmatic individuals are without excuse. It is lazy in the most pathetic of ways. But worst of all, it is cowardly. It takes a lot of strength and bravery to challenge one's self in their beliefs and understanding (or lack thereof). Unfortunately, such bravery is lacking in this day and age. It can only lead to more fear, more ignorance, and more cowardice in the long run.