Is Ignorance Bliss?

[3Michael82]

try the catholic church opus dei the book the way medation the teaching of st ignatius

[3Michael82]

your just like me

most people i know believe what they want to believe, and if you know more on a subject and try to share that information with them they become defensif. i think this is because what they think they know is based on what they hear from others, and exspect as "fact " (belief). The truth will set you free x

[ganglee101]

You're H-O-T

[chotaboy66]

No its not bliss in my book.

Willful ignorance is the false egos defence against true reality.

[GenesisEntropy]

i believe ignorance is a bliss because if you don't know then how can it effect you? For example When I didn't really care for religion and was ignorant of every aspect of it. I was happy... I started doing research on theology and ever since then I have been confused of all the variation of religions that claim to be the absolute truth and all the others deceit. IGNORANCE IS A BLISS!

[chotaboy66]

Each to there own I guess you are honnest this is a start ,but if you reserched true one consciousness and quantum reality you just might think this blind bliss excuse is a curse to mankinds evolution.

Because you really have a hidden emotional power especially being the dominant species as this you dont understand fully yet but you will in time.

Lets just hope its not too late.

Peace/Luv

Chota

[daenumen]

really good point. i wish i was more ignorant to the ideology of civility and consideration for others, people just take it for granted and abuse me even after request. I would almost dare to say that this journey of self discovery and betterment is a form of self-harm, mentally stressing and occupying your thoughts with an illusion of division of good and bad and a judgemental selection of one over the other that often serves only to upset yourself.

[ricardas83]

Yes! After making love you can say, that you were thinking about sister of her, becouse we all do have various thoughts, becouse we are f*cking animals in some way, who are looking for mating, but ignorance and not admiting it makes you deeper and deeper in lying. Ignorance is damn. Learn to say true and accept true, emptyheads!

ONE STAR!!!

[optionaxis]

ignorance is enslavement. The fact that you don't realize you are ignorant could seem like bliss, but your still a slave. The mind is such a beautiful thing, but people don't seem to use it.

And right now culture supports the ignorance. We have ignorance all around us.

Ignorance is not bliss, it may give you that temporary illusion, but never true happiness.

[trav022007]

the difference between being too honest and telling your friend about how she really looks in her khakis has with the individual being insensitive,and lacking a large amount of humility.

[nyczthug5]

All Men and Woman have one Fear in common..."The Fear Of Not Knowing"...this phrase says it all......as you can see ignorance is not bliss (in my eyes) but indeed a lack of knowledge that we so desperately desire in order to eliminate the fear of not knowing

[WillStanton]

Sometimes I wish I could be more ignorant. But then it always comes back to the reason I have chosen to pursue knowledge over ignorance in the first place. I cannot live my life by what I'm being told. I need to learn to think for myself. Indeed, all humans ought to think for themselves. We ought to question things. We ought to question religion, advertising, politics, the media. Why should human beings allow themselves to be manipulated by these mediums? How is that right? How is it 'human'?

[J0hnXZX]

Well said Rain807646

[Rain807646]

It is said that Mark Twain wrote of this idea and said "if ignorance is bliss, why are there so many unhappy people?"

If you do not see that awareness is the cornerstone to la full ife then your mind begins the journey of the lost and incomplete soul.

The only thing that ignorance can be is a relative of fear.

We fear the unknown, and we fear the known we don't agree with. Both can be overcome by truth.

[Yoganao]

Is Ignorance Bliss? No. If you're so Ignorant that you aren't aware of how ignorant you are, it's still not bliss. People who are ignorant believe that they know when they don't. Annoying? Yes. Blissful? Not a chance.

[adibajat]

i also need proof and proof and proof

like i cant beleive in religous sories because i need proof that they actually have done those things or like met those people that the stories are based on.....

[ajk0258]

ignorice is bliss i wake up every morn and cry over my life my parents my family

[avakhamooshi]

I love your wisdom!

[faszika]

ignorance might be a bliss cause... you cant change anything :)

[25171]

Don't stop questioning details! Critical thinking is the most important skill anyone can have, and you, faintstarlite, are GOOD at it!

I understand exactly what you mean about "living in a state of flux;" It's difficult, and makes you spend way too much time chasing yourself in circles without really changing your views- but again, I think that's better than the alternative. It's just a sign that you're capable of considering the viewpoints of others- and isn't life better that way?

[25171]

I think people say "ignorance is bliss," not because being ignorant automatically makes you blissful, but because you HAVE to be ignorant (at least to a degree) to feel bliss. Not that informed people can't be happy, but imagine you were getting married and couldn't get starving refugees in Darfur off of your mind? Ignorance is bliss.

What the old adage doesn't tell you is this: Bliss is overrated! Critical thinking and awareness are much better, don't you think?

[popdickparodies]

your vagina is wet and hairy.

[jaywill58]

I have the same question, and I come to the same conclusion as you, which was that there really isnt an answer. Ignorance is bliss, but it is a safety net for or sanity and happiness, so faith is nessescary.

[speedingclock]

Sure ignoring something horrible gives you that moment of peace, but doesn't trying and devoting your life to fixing it ammount to so much more??

[norwegianatheist]

So I guess my conclusion will be that ignorance and curiosity are sort of two different ways of life. Both can lead to good lives, but I hope that you will eventually be rewarded for asking questions, and doubting. You will be a smarter person, and that is hopefully something both you yourself and others can benefit from.

[norwegianatheist]

But I most agree with a3dking; ignorance is dangerous. Most wars are started by ignorance or lack of information and knowledge.

Looking with a sceptical look at the world may sometimes be kind of saddening, because you can see how bad some people live. You (faintstarlite) probably knows better than most, because of all your travels.

But it is also enlightening. And I can't think of anything more rewarding than learning and helping others.

[norwegianatheist]

I was going to post a video response, but my cam is still broken. So I will post this over several comments.

This is an really interesting question. Myself, I also question everything, and need proof for everything. Sometimes I wonder if I would have a better life if I didn't actually question everything.

I know many people who don't ask questions, they just believe most of what they are told. And they seem happy with it. The hard thing to know is of course what and how they are thinking.

[KUSUNOKI13]

Knowledge is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance.

[PaulBuffalo]

the "sister thing" reminds me of a joke.

[brucepearl888]

There is never too much honesty.

[Dino1013]

an open mind. the curse of intelligence. good for you. when you know the time is right you will be solid ... and you will be right. looking at, and listening to you i do not doubt that for a second.

[initialdfan20]

She is an annoying rapid fire really smart manipulater of the downtrodden

[gaguy1967]

actually ignorance is better than thinking youre informed and being horribly wrong in all your opinions and policy prescriptions...youre like a monkey with a loaded gun.

[mrblue1992]

Lots of people have brushed up against it, but here's the proper outline:

1. More information allows for more accurate perception.

2. A correct expectation of reality fulfilled is less surprising, less intense.

3. More accurate perception reduces surprise, both pleasant and unpleasant.

Hence the rule:

Full understanding generally causes a reduction of intensity in humans.

The standard aphorism is just a crude interpretation of reality, leading to largely unnecessary debate.

[SStarling515]

I am the same way! I am so overly analytical that it truly sickens me, because after a while, you have disproved or faulted every thing, every idea, every possibilty and you are left with NOTHING!! As you said no faith! If you do find a cure for this disease of the faithless, let me know, because I need some to! Much Love and thanks for the vlog....You really hit close to home with this one!

[LeShapeShifter]

Wow, you're a smart little hottie! yes, I DO think that ignorance is bliss for many people, that's we all have our personal ways of using alcohol, drugs, junk food, sex, day dreaming, music, movies etc, as ways to escape unpleasant knowledge and to forget about what we already know. I think happiness is more important than knowledge, but the fucked up thing is that we can't be happy if we KNOW that we are avoiding what goes on around us.

[calatuba]

Ignorance is bliss, but KNOWLEDGE is beautiful!

[zerodeout]

IGNORANCE IS MISERY.

Ignorance is thinking you know something that you have not studied. Ignorance is the root of all misery.

Not knowing is bliss. Then, we introduce misery to kids by giving them knowledge that they cannot possibly understand like religion or what's "good". We destroy children by thinking for them. We destroy them by interfering with the NATURAL growth process of discovering and knowing by first-hand experience. All knowledge is second-hand knowing.

[spikeboy23113]

ask god for the answer and this girl is hot!!!!!

[redinstanbul]

of course ignorance is bliss.......... the less you know about what is really going on in this world the less you have to worry about....... and while ignorance exists and can be blissful for those that are ignorant, others are suffering as an indirect cause of it........if we got rid of ignorance and racism the world would be a hell of a lot better of a place

[TakeItBrendanLSD]

EVERYTHING is perseption. the more things you hate because your a grump the more reality is revolting. think outside the boxx a little

[sarahsbooks]

oh, it's definitely bliss. i think the question is more, is it good to live blissful but ignorant?

[orey33]

life is burning questions...How can we live whithout an unknown? ignorance is a curse... I think

[pokersavage1]

hahahahaa it's a weird post but she's still funny. Always tryin to find more proof etc is just being intelligent and open minded. Alot of pple don't think 9/11 was inside job - which is still funny.

[hramone]

You're entirely too self-centered to have any real conception of others, let alone the problems or motivations that they might have. If your goal is ignorance then be happy because ignorant you are.

[sahiltakia]

Don't you get it?? Shes doing what we need to do all the time... trying to change.. trying to learn and yeah.. that causes pain...

[IHeartDieWaffenSS]

Ignorance is murder, supporting, voting for Mabus or shall I say Bush in blind faith that all U.S. presidents are good men will result in un-necessary deaths.

Not telling your kids about the harsh reality of the outside world, will make them less fit for the future.

But then again I do agree that it's quite frustrating to have questions with answers that are hard to come by.

[knightu2b]

You are out of your mind :P. But if you are aware your are out of mind, are you really then... :O

[illusivemcsorley]

I have a friend that always says what he thinks. It's horrendous being around him! Once we went to the movies and he said to the girl in front of us "you could do much better than him" and pointed to her boyfriend then he paused and said ME! I was hoping he'd get thumped.

One way of looking at a 'state of flux' is that you are open-minded and able to consider many different points of views.

Ignorance is bliss however not always for those around that person!

[NickSpinner]

9/11 was an inside job, dont believe em when they stage another attack to justify war wit iran

[xNyxonx]

The idea of Christianity was created as an explanation for everything ..

Perhaps to keep the world under control ;)

[hahhatus]

Have you ever wondered what made people to come watch this video in the first place, or continue watching it after they realized what it's about?

Were they really interested in hearing what you have to say, or were they just interested in watching you? Just look at the gender of people who have created a video response to you. Did they create the response because they really have something constructive to say, or do they just want you to see them?

[JasonVz]

lol i think you're spot on with that

[JasonVz]

It would be really hard to wake up in the morning and get out of bed, if you were in it ;->

[FoxDougan]

Interesting ideas - but if ignorance was truely bliss, then surely the world would be a lot worse off. I mean, if scientists didn't get kicks from working how to get man into space or business people didn't enjoy the success of providing a product which everyone needs and loves... then we'd be nowhere.

You might not enjoy overthinking everything but at some point you'll find something useful to apply it to and all this wonderful stuff will happen :D

Subscrib'd!

[attackofthehatta]

Ok, I have gotten to the point in life where I just say what I'm going to say no matter if it will hurt peoples feelings and if they can't handle your comments then that's tough.

I don't like people who beat around the bush and take forever just to get the truth out there.

I hate ignorent people because they don't learn & being ignorent makes you look like an uneducated Moron who doesn't know what's going on in the world. If there is not knowlege there will be chaos-Quote Me

[snipboy]

"The penalty good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men."

- Plato

[snipboy]

II don't believe in being ignorant. I don't feel safe not knowing. We are a mindful creatures that can only relax if we know that everything is fine. I prefer to use the term: being assuredly and willingly distant. I would feel fine stress free if I knew that my government was in check. Guaranteeing that my government insures my freedom is all I need to live an almost politically free life. But always be aware of your government's undertakings. If they stray off course its your duty to fight.

[notunskeptical]

Posting a vlog isn't an example of faith. How come whenever someone gives an example of faith it's always an example of an inference based on evidence/prior experience?

[FullyAware]

Who knows... to be Fully Aware???

[210519712]

To be ignorant today really means "to not care" because the facts are freely available. We need to be AWARE, whether we like what we discover is another matter. If we all chose to be ignorant we would be betraying each other. We owe it to ourselves to be aware of suffering because we ALL suffer. The powers that be encourage ignorance because it promotes DIVISION & it is division which enables the powers to hold dominion over us. Ignorance enslaves us.

[Xenu]

Knowledge comes with the burden of responsibility. The progressive stripping away of illusions is how we become more human and less animal. It's difficult sometimes to throw away the crutches & people who go too far ahead from the group usually end up crucified by the alternative, which is reaction.

[sabongwon]

The problem with ignorance is what it leads to, like ethnocentrism. Ethnocentrism drives me crazy and yet it's everywhere. Sometimes its blatant, other times it hides just under the surface. Its a product of our evolution I guess, assuming you believe in that. Millions of years living in groups has formed us to define the context of the world in to "us" and "them". Regardless of the group type, we view our own groups as better and higher moral standards. I think is a cause to many world problems

[oneron04]

Oh whata topic, whata topic. =)

[hjernevasket]

God must be really miserable.

[crex81]

interesting video... i think ignorance is bliss UNTIL you discover the thing you were previously ignorant of. To paraphrase Tolkien you cannot unlearn things.

With understanding comes a certain amount of pain and resposibility. But i guess that's life :)

[fluent2332]

its not horrible to say you want proof. it means your analytical and logical and using your brain. you want to go back to being ignorant because dealing with intelligence is the hard route, its always easier to just believe and not question things. your not crazy. you may not find what your looking for but at least your trying

[ArchNME]

Your mom is absolutly right. I'm all about honestty though.  It's the realitys of the world that are the real scary shit. Didn't you ever read Flowers for Algernon by the way?

[J1Goro]

bliss must be nice

[Zea107]

My opinion? Ignorance is poo.

[dixie86]

But I'm also amused... you're proving that you're so good at questioning things, that you even question your habit of questioning things :P

If you feel like you need faith in something... have faith that your brain works in such a fashion for a reason, and that good things will come of it.

[dixie86]

My first reaction to this is... ahh! Don't think that you're crazy! I'm a lot like that too, and DAMN we seriously need more people like you =D Because otherwise, there would just be too many mindless drones and nobody questioning the inescapable corruption that would be going on, yadda yadda yadda.

Of course it's painful at times... but someone's gotta do it. The ignorant ones (most especially those who choose to be ignorant) are ignorant because they're too weak to handle the challenge.

[tingtangs]

Ignorance is bliss, to a certain point. But at some point, it can be painful. For example, religious people are used to not having their delusions questioned. With today's technology, they cannot avoid it. Thus, they will be constantly bombarded with hard facts that contradict their world view. Most people have a defense mechanism: ignore the facts and carry on with their business. But others are open to facts, logic and rational thought, and dismiss the thought of a higher being.

[dionusos2]

I understand vertigo of uncertainty so well that I wanted to smack that guy from American Beauty is said that the world is so beautiful that sometimes he just couldn't take it.

[aGua421]

btw, you're re not crazy. you're just a reasonable human being, and those are few and far between.

[aGua421]

I wish I was still religious and ignorant about the reality of the world. A reality I still don't quite understand

[Mylth]

'Meaningless! Meaningless!'

says the Teacher.

'Utterly meaningless!

Everything is meaningless.'

Eccel 1: 2

[PolyrhythmIndustries]

I don't think you're in the flux you described. Your foundation sounds like it's strong and rational; you have a solid understanding that at this point in your life you don't know everything and your opinions are subject to change. Very cool, thought-provoking video :-)

[bullmeister82]

I would definitely agree. =)

[lduenas]

Hi faintstarlite, I was wondering. Do you like Jell-o?

[jayarbee]

Only children and the privileged can enjoy the luxury of blissful ignorance, which becomes a rationale to deny the reality of mass suffering. For the rest of us (which includes most people), only knowledge offers the hope that a time will come when enlightenment brings bliss to all.

[Gargar0th]

your not crazy! welcome to the human race :D.

[VoxPopuli1984]

the people you talked about "not caring" and being blissfully ignorant are called Republicans :) On a more serious note, there is an addage;

..."those who increase in knowledge, increase their sorrows...:

[JohnnyCreepy]

YES. The lower your level of consciousness the less you suffer. YOU CALL YOUR MOM A Simpleton!

[faintstarlite]

She'd agree - she doesn't even want to think that what she's been taught might be wrong.. I think it's more than she could handle.

[JohnnyCreepy]

Psychologically covering up of the abyss, and a "Simpleton" have nothing in common. Maybe I am just from a different generation, and the meaning of the words have changed.

[D4Shawn]

At best, "Ignorance is bliss" is a over-generalization. Ignorance can also end in or cause pain. It's like saying "Sex is bliss". Sex can be bliss, but not always (i.e. rape). Ignorance (in other words) is not inherently blissful any more than anything else. Heroin is bliss unless you have an overdose. Ignorance is bliss, unless it's not.

[TheBennyZone]

I love caring and wanting to know more but I sometimes want to live away from everything and everyone so I dont have to question every detail and im always in the gray area on topics cause you can always find something or learn something new. There are always more answers and it is always worth it cause its life and youre living to your full potential and not being a rock in front of the tv. Thanks for this thought provoking vid!

[faintstarlite]

I'm also a gray area person.

[Swidhelm]

Welcome to the world of science :P That is what science is about. Everything we think we know is subject to change should new information come to light. Ignorance bliss? Yeah probably. But I'd prefer to be aware and learn things. But as the old saying goes, no man is wise until he admits he knows nothing. I think it is better to be that way, be aware of that than just hope everything is solid.

[faintstarlite]

True.. I suppose it's in the Socratic tradition to feel this way.

[CatchFlipsidE]

Curious...what about complete numbness? Wouldn't that be more blissful than ignorance? Pure and complete numbness would mean that you know all of the things that bother you know...except you just wouldn't care.

[TheOptimisticSkeptic]

I don't think ignorance is bliss, I have found however that people who lack intelligence seem happier, they can work jobs that would bore me to death, they don't see problems in the world that intelligent people see, they find network television programs entertaining, they can act without feeling the need to analyze their actions, overall life is much simpler for simple minded people.

[redwine65]

Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

:/

[MonkSpacey]

Everyday I die a little!

[pyrrho314]

it's true, however, bliss is overrated, ignorant contentment... feels like bathing in liquid sugar.

screw bliss.

[addmeifucan]

Actually , if you persevere you will always find what you are looking for, I've seen it happen to my sister and myself. Ignorance is definately not bliss, cause sooner or later it wears off...and alot of the time it will be too late to go back.

[TheBlindWatchmaker]

I just want to share my favorite quote for you: "It is far better to grasp the universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring." -Carl Sagan. Trust me, I'm just as "crazy" as you, so don't feel alone.

[faintstarlite]

So in other words - you'd choose the red pill.

[MilitaryBoot]

You must be really happy.

[DuranDuran00]

You must be really dumb.

[Ed200]

If you want to get your mind off of the happenings in the world, you should start a video blog.

[faintstarlite]

lmao!

[donald347]

I want one of those switches too!

[theazam]

me too

[talk74]

another really great video that deserves a good response...maybe tomorrow!

[Jervns]

Good blog.

[GettingLouder]

You can see my cellulite thru my khakis1!! why didn't you say something sooner!!!

[chestnutkl]

B) Anguishing over this reflects the economic class and life security that one has and will cling to -- to choose ignorance about poverty and the meanness we encounter is to hide behind one's money. Don't "protect from the facts of life" -- trust in the beauty of love, the marvelous natural world around us, and keep connecting broadly with others. (PS- thanks for your vids!)

[faintstarlite]

Thanks for those thoughts =)

[chestnutkl]

Thanks for the acknowledgment. That's the first time I've posted on YouTube and had to cut out half of what I first wrote, due to the 500-character limit. So my writing ended up much more terse and un-conversational than I had intended. :)

[chestnutkl]

A) Despite the pain, I prefer knowledge over ignorance. It provides the facts to make better future decisions. Knowing EVERYTHING isn't important -- ask if you're ready for the answer. It takes maturity to handle greater knowledge -- the grace and humility to not take offense. When sharing, exercise caring discretion, but without apology for the full truth.

[Castaa]

Ignorance certainly isn't bliss. Information that works against our accepted world view is what is so troubling.

[faintstarlite]

I like how you put that

[KobyBrandt]

[3] It competes for our limited mental capacity to effectively pigeonhole and process it all. Since competition, in general, has the side-effect of producing frustration and anger, then we can expect to feel more miserable the more that we're overloaded. That seems to fit reality pretty well. Of course, we all -- to keep from overloading completely -- have to selectively attend to only a subset of all the information coming in -- moving out of your comfort zone will yield increasing misery.

[PeterXeNon]

I couldn't agree more!

[KobyBrandt]

[2] So then the real question is: "will you be RELATIVELY happier without knowledge than with knowledge?" I think that depends upon your personality and environment. If you have a thirst for knowledge, then you will obviously be happier when you gain it. If you don't, then you will probably not be so happy when it is foisted upon you. What I see people around me reacting negatively to is "information overload" -- too much information coming in for our perception to manage it effectively.

[faintstarlite]

Do you think that a 'thirst for knowledge' is innate or something learned?

[KobyBrandt]

I think it's a combination of both (nature & nurture).

A very secure, warm, supportive, culturally and socially rich, and intellectually-stimulating environment combined with at least a moderate helping of native intelligence and curiosity would assist in producing the optimal conditions to allow a great "thirst for knowledge" to develop. It also would promote an individual's tendency to be relatively fearless of exploration and discovery -- which is necessary to attain true "knowledge".

[KobyBrandt]

[1] If ignorance is bliss, then knowledge is misery.

Ignorance basically means a lack of knowledge or awareness. It might produce a feeling of intense happiness at times, but since emotions are dynamic and ever-changing, you would still feel intense unhappiness also. This is the human condition. I challenge anyone to be in a state of eternal bliss. I don't believe it's possible. And how would you even know that you're in a blissful state if you never experienced misery?

[ZanyBear]

RAWR!!

[WedenatorIrons]

Ignorance is (well, would be) bliss! I'd love to be able to be blindly religious and just believe that I was going to heaven or any of that kinda stuff...

[faintstarlite]

Sometimes it seems much simpler eh?

[nickasarbata]

Whoa! from 1:57 to 2:07 your voice changed! How mysterious!

[faintstarlite]

dun dun dun... ;)

[SSGLuceyGirl]

This is a reall great video and it really makes you think I have to admit that there are times that I do prefer ignorance especially during the times my husband is deployed and/or at war I won't even watch the news at that time because when its on It simply just kills you inside Ton of hugs Mel

[faintstarlite]

I can understand that.. my cousin is in Iraq and I fear reading his name in an article.

[Marlaine83]

ok the beginning of the video has a huge lol-factor!

[GottaMinute]

Ignorance is definetly bliss, but I think being ignorant is like being an ostrich with your head in the sand. Just because you do not think about something or hide from something doesn't make it go away.

It's us people that are contantly thinking and asking why who will change the world and someday everyone will know the reason we're here and our purpose, at least that's what I like to believe.

[nicholasp]

How strange, I think exactly the same as you!! I have asked that question about ignorance many times before. Who are the ones we should pity, those who are in a lunatic asylum that are staring out the windows with a smile on their faces, or those looking in with pity in their eyes?

[faintstarlite]

That's a unique way to put it.

[hdort]

There's this fabulous song by the Indigo Girls with the great line "What would you give for your Kid Fears?"

[tybaltskiller1]

I think ignorance is bliss, but I find it very hard to not constantly question every little thing and it can be very annoying, I would prefer to just go along with things and not worry that I have overlooked something or not fully understood something, and it is the reason I lost my faith in god.

[LifeJourneyGuy]

Another great video Esther. I've had the same kind of internal battle all my life; even as a kid, when I first was told about the Big Bang theory of how the universe "started", I was immediately asking: "Well what was around BEFORE the universe started??, 'cause SOMETHING had to be there!! So yeah, my entire life I've questioned EVERYTHING and sometimes envied people who literally don't seem to care about much of anything. (Pete)

[faintstarlite]

Yeah..

[Urnkneekovaks]

Those that say" they know" don't and those that say " they don't know" do.