What is the bigger problem: Ignorance or Apathy?

StewySmoot · Post by **StewySmoot** » Sat Oct 04, 2003 5:32 pm

What do you think is the bigger problem in the world today?

Post by **Nanohedron** » Sat Oct 04, 2003 5:34 pm

You forgot to add "Polls" to the selection.

Lorenzo · Post by **Lorenzo** » Sat Oct 04, 2003 5:52 pm

Oh, I'd definitely say "ignorance" since it can cause apathy. That's why so many people never vote...a lack of interest in getting to REALLY know the issues and candidates. But I can see the other side too...that's why people arr apethetic, because they've heard too much and don't like it...but that's no excuse not to keep informed and involved.

The Weekenders · Post by **The Weekenders** » Sat Oct 04, 2003 5:52 pm

I'm too stupid to care. Nyuk.

But seriously, neither. Its some kind of post-modern narcosis marked by distraction and what little impulse there is involves acquisition.

Sorry to give hard answers but I just can't pick one of those choices.

Post by **Nanohedron** » Sat Oct 04, 2003 6:07 pm

The Weekenders wrote:But seriously, neither. Its some kind of post-modern narcosis marked by distraction and what little impulse there is involves acquisition.

But Weeks, wouldn't that be a symptom of apathy? If I were apathetic, I'd certainly go about trying to fill my sense of meaninglessness and uselessness with more materialistic and vulgar pursuits. Not that I don't, mind you...

glauber · Post by **glauber** » Sat Oct 04, 2003 7:16 pm

I'm not apathetic.

In fact, several people have told me i'm definitely pathetic!

Sara · Post by **Sara** » Sat Oct 04, 2003 7:51 pm

I think both are major problems.

And in my opinion, there kind of synonimous.

mjacob · Post by **mjacob** » Sat Oct 04, 2003 8:05 pm

Perhaps getting to know the issues and the politicians makes a smart person apathetic. There is a certain hopelessness to it all, which I don't find depressing, but puts me in a position where I'd prefer to play the whistle than run for office.

Jerry Freeman · Post by **Jerry Freeman** » Sat Oct 04, 2003 8:13 pm

Ummm ... What was that again?

Walden · Post by **Walden** » Sat Oct 04, 2003 8:16 pm

I tend to prefer apathy, but sometimes I'm in the mood for some good old-fashioned ignorance.

Chuck_Clark · Post by **Chuck_Clark** » Sat Oct 04, 2003 9:00 pm

I don't know and I don't care

Zubivka · Post by **Zubivka** » Sun Oct 05, 2003 3:32 am

Add procrastination and I'll surely vote, later.

Wombat · Post by **Wombat** » Sun Oct 05, 2003 7:01 am

Which is more important for life: circulation or respiration?

Actually, I think I can vote here although I regard both as serious problems. If someone knowlegable is apathetic, that is a loss but, so long as someone else has the knowledge, no harm is done. But if someone fully engaged is deeply ignorant, that person is a menace. A problem with career politics is that so much work is required to build the career that there is no time to acquire knowledge. Another problem is that it is not knowledge that advances the career.

One curiosity though is that once I know that a person is deeply ignorant, I hope fervently that they are also apathetic.

Raymond · Post by **Raymond** » Sun Oct 05, 2003 7:35 am

Sara wrote:I think both are major problems.

And in my opinion, there kind of synonimous.

I think illiteracy is far more insidious.

anniemcu · Post by **anniemcu** » Sun Oct 05, 2003 3:21 pm

Lorenzo wrote:Oh, I'd definitely say "ignorance" since it can cause apathy. That's why so many people never vote...a lack of interest in getting to REALLY know the issues and candidates. But I can see the other side too...that's why people arr apethetic, because they've heard too much and don't like it...but that's no excuse not to keep informed and involved.

I say it's rather a toss up - Apathy breeds ignore-ance, and ignorance breeds apathy... I detest both... but I think I'd have to say that apathy may be worse, because it implies that you do know the situation, you just don't care to do anything about it. Ignorance can be cured with knowledge - apathy is another thing... and the more I think about it, the more I'd rather do something else!

Here's to a strong ale and a good discussion!