Sunday, December 6, 2009

Blogging Around Again

Alex's Dialectics: Ignorance and Bliss
Alex's post was about how ignorance is bliss. However, having knowledge is better. It talks about the importance of having knowledge, as well as your happiness is what you can make with it. It was interesting to read about the knowledge part because I never thought of that angle before. My comment follows:

I'm actually really fond of this post. I definitely agree that ignorance is bliss. Because really, if you aren't facing reality then what worries could you possibly have? If you don't know terrible things are happening, then you won't be affected emotionally and you'll remain in bliss.

But I also agree when you say you'll end up lonely and bored. Who would want to talk to you if you won't bother to listen? Knowledge truly is better because then you can form your own opinion and make what you will with that. Once you learn from other people and become less ignorant by informing yourself, you can be happier because then you'll be more confident in what you know. After the last STAND meeting, we hung around and Mr. Whipple said something along the lines of, 'Stupid people are happy as long as they don't know they are stupid.' (Or something very similar to that at the least.) And it's so true. But, having information available to you and turning that into knowledge gives you a sense of accomplishment.

Having information taken away though, must make people miserable because they won't be ignorant. They'll know there's something else out there that they can't grasp, which will make them explore something they may never get again. You can't take away knowledge, but you can take away information which allows you to gain knowledge, which can take away a feeling of happiness from someone.

Pat's Connection: King Lear and the Berlin Wall
Pat connects King Lear and the effects and fall of the Berlin Wall based on a New York Times article. He makes valid connections and I especially like how he talks about what Shakespeare did well and what he didn't do at all. It gives a fuller view with more perspectives, making it more interesting to read. My comment follows:

You're connections are really interesting and I never would've thought of it this way until reading your post. I definitely agree that you although everyone is affected in both cases, you can't see what exactly happens. The division between Goneril and Regan led to many deaths and a greater tragic affect in Lear. The Berlin Wall affected the lives of those who couldn't see their family on the other side. I like the connections you point out. However, there's one I thought I might add. Your first connection points out Regan and Goneril are horrible and are abusers of power. I think Cordelia can be thrown in there because in King Lear she is the loving one, the good daughter. In the real world, a unified Germany was better, because it united people and brought more peace and conflict resolution.

 
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