blog post 2
is it better to live in blissful ignorance or fearful awareness? i think about the divide of the party members and the proles here in 1984, whereas the proles live in a pretty distinct contrast in terms of resources and awareness, they're kind of blind to what's going on. and when you're more aware of what's going on, there's more potential in your head to question things. so what would you do?
do we like to live in ignorance? i think of DNA testing, where you can now search the genetic records of your family history to see what underlying things you have waiting for you. a lot of people simply choose to opt out, because they want to live in ignorance-- instead of the fear and the knowledge that something debilitating is coming that you can't control. whereas, others will kind of welcome that shift and that scary knowledge-- because they can face it head on and poke and prod at the edges of it. maybe both scenarios have validity.
me, personally? i tend to favor ignorance. i do bad on a test, ill try not to look at the grade for as long as possible. that has its pros and cons, you know? it strips me of the ability to plan ahead, but gives me unprecedented peace of mind, which i truly value. its just a question of what i value most.
would I take the DNA test or just keep living? i don't really know. what would you do?
Interesting question. I honestly have no interest in taking a DNA test right now. I like to think I *don't* prefer to live in ignorance, but in truth if there's something I can't change, knowing about it will likely just stress me out.
ReplyDeleteThat is how black brown muslim jewish latinx and any other oppressed group ends up in camps, you have to learn about the material conditions, otherwise there could be a mass extermination event that could occur - we have the camps - we have the nazis - germany has full tilt nazis assassinating turkish activists - all they need is a charismatic leader and boom... all of the people get loaded onto trucks and trains to get iced and burned
ReplyDeleteA very potent example. The Party likes to say that ignorance is strength -- well, this is why they say it.
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