There are many things I do not know, many of which I am ignorant and many others of which I am indifferent. There is a big difference between these concepts.
To be indifferent is to realize that I have no interest -- not now, not yet or maybe ever -- in something I have become aware of and spent some time prioritizing. To not know is to realize how futile self-importance is. Ignorance however represents a procrastinization of thought. Ignorance is the substitution of belief for knowledge. Where continuing ignorance would curtain with darkness, realization provides the ubiquity of sun light. The bliss of ignorance is ironic -- I'm giving away my bliss to the rapturous.
How do we explain some of the most egregiously ignorant things we see and hear on a regular basis? The daily talk show co-host who denies the ascendancy of ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome before that of a certain middle Eastern faith. The politicians that deny science, ignorantly demising themselves from apes with the intellectual fortitude of town cryers. The practice of profligate spending and abject lending in the name of principle. The radio and video gurus with the bad habits pontificating on the absolutes of morality.
While ignorance has always provided volatility to history, in our times we have seen many ignorantly held beliefs pricked like a needle to a balloon and yet, many hold on to the shards of latex that remain. With the decentralization of media that is occurring there seems to be a greater ability for many of us to find exactly what it is that we think we want to see, hear and believe.
Some web sites now serve content -- your next story, your next search result, your next movie option -- on the basis of your preferences. These are the preferences of ignorance. What contentment there is in having your predilections chosen for you.
Beyond now it may be a good idea to seek more, contemplate more, know more. While I may become indifferent to many things, I should become less ignorant.
