"Isn't it better to live in ignorance of everything--asphalt, macadam, vehicles, telephones, television--to live in bliss without knowing it?"
Respond to this quote from 3 Cups of Tea. Do you agree? In a society that is built around consumption and consumerism are we even able to comprehend what this suggests?
I think we can try to imagine what this quote suggests, but i dont think that our society can fully comprehend what it is truly like to like without anything
ReplyDeleteI think that it is not better to live in bliss without knowing it. I believe that either you sould understand you are fortunate, and understand the fact that others are not. On the other hand I do think that it is hard for us to even understand this idea because we hardly ever experience what people like those that live in Korphe really live like. As americans we are very naive about what goes on in the outside world. It could be described that we live in a bubble, hardly any information can actually get to our ears.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with this quote but because of where our society is now, I can't fully comprehend it. We've grown up with technology and can't imagine life without computers or cars or cell phones. I think ignorance can be bliss when it's not harmful, and in this case, it doesn't hurt anyone. The people that live without all those things don't know what it's like to live with them, therefore they can survive and be happy without them. For us, we don't know what it'd be like to live without any of those things, and we never will because everything just gets bigger and more advanced. If we didn't know those things existed, I think we could and would be blissful as long as we were healthy and knew how to survive and how to not be bored. But we're so into technology and everything now that I can't picture a life without it, and if anyone tried to take it away, then we wouldn't be blissful because we know what it's like to have each item and although we don't necessarily appreciate them, we would miss them if they were gone.
ReplyDeleteI think there are a lot of things in our world that we might be better off not knowing. But there are still other advancements we have made that I don't think you should live without. Later on the page, he talks about all the medical problems the villagers face. I think in that case, it's better for them to know of medicine and technology, because it is helping to save their lives. However, I think we will make ourselves most happy in whatever situtation we come across. Some people thrive in a modern society, whereas some are happier with a slower life. There are people who cut themselves off from the world and become hermits. You can make yourself ignorant of everything if you really want, so I do think we are capable of understanding what the quote suggests.
ReplyDeleteI agree with this statement because if you don't know what you are missing in life, then you won't have the desire to have it. I think it is better to be happy in life with what you have then to constantly be desiring more and more. However in America, I think this is difficult for us to comprehend because we have an overabundance of goods. We have a huge variety of food, clothes, shelter, electronics and pretty much anything we could possibly want. Although the Balti have very minimal items, they still find a way to be happy without desiring other goods and not pitying themselves for what they don't have.
ReplyDeleteI think that it might be easier to live in ignorance because you do not know what exactly is going on in the world. The term "ignorance is bliss" may apply to many situations, and sometimes it is best to not understand what is happeing outside of your life. It is necessary to have some idea of what is happening in today's society, though, because we are so dependent on many apsects throughout the world. Since everything is international, I think that it is hard to be completely ignorant, but it is also hard to be completely informed. In America, I think that it is hard to understand what this means because our idea of ignorance is far different from the meaning in other parts of the world. To us, I think that it means that not knowing what is going on in other parts of the world, or socially not knowing what is going on. I don't think that ignorance exists in the sense of not knowing about material items or technology because we have an over-abundance of them in America.
ReplyDeleteI think the fact we live in a consumer society is the very thing thats gives us the ability to comprehend what this is suggesting.That these people are blissful not from ignorance but from simplicity, and our lack of simplicity makes many of us, me included, envious of theirs. In our consumer world over half the population suffers from some sort of depression, and many technologies we create carry with them lots of trouble. So surrounded by our consumerism,essentially inescabable, the only escape from it we have is comprehending what it would be like without.
ReplyDeleteI 100% agree with the statement made in the book. A lot of things in todays society are based on wants,in these cultures the only thing they are aware of is needs. Although, the technology makes things easier, like communication and travel, it also inhibits our view from what is really important, like family and food. Ignorance is known for being a bad thing, but if you are unaware of what is in the outside world, and are perfectly content with your situation, then ingorance is nothing more than bliss.
ReplyDeleteLiving a life without all the distractions of vehicles, telephones, television, ect. would be great. People have so much more time on there hands for meaningful activities but also in this day in age it would be impossible to take away all the distractions people have in life. The people in the village also have many difficulties. There doctor is one weeks walk away and many children dont live past their first birthday. Although there are advantages it seems to me that the disadvantages are greater. The village would be a good place for vacation but when I imagine myself living there it doesn't sound like a good environment for me personally. There are many illness's and a school that is quite a hike to get to. I think it would be great to live a life without distractions but would be impossible for many.
ReplyDeleteI agree with this quote however I understand that for us, living in a world that has developed so much into a modern day society, that it would be hard to go from all of that to a town or city that has nothing. But at the same time I feel that I can comprehend how far back in time this town is. I can picture no having a tv to watch and not having a cell phone to contact people but whats hard for me is picturing how kids spend their time? especially when they get cold from the winters? how do they survive? do they have coats at all? I like this quote because I understand that Mortenson wants to help educate but he doesn't want to ruin their bliss by showing and telling them what they dont have and how really their lives are much simpler but not as developed.
ReplyDeleteI don't think you can ever really know what it's like to live without those material comforts if you've grown up in a world like we here in the United States do. For me it's impossible to look at these tiny villages and think oh it must be wonderful not to have a computer or a phone. I think we can admire certain traits that these people have, like a strong sense of family and community but I truly believe that the average American citizen would be nothing but miserable if they had to switch to this lifestyle.
ReplyDeleteOn the flip side, if you grow up never knowing what a computer is, or what television is, or even what a school is; then you are most likely quite happy without them because how can you long for something you know nothing about? I would also say that these people are hardly in bliss. We read about how many westerners see these villagers as really happy people who find joy in the simplicity of life but in reality they are suffering quite a bit. I would hate to have to live in a place where most children die before they're 2. I can't imagine the fear or realizing that if I get sick there is no doctor to help me. The people that grow up here have only known this lifestyle and so I'm sure for them it is much easier to find happiness then it is for a US citizen who can really only see the sadness in these people's lives.
Yes I believe that people can still be very happy while living simply. When a person has a lot of material wealth it is no guarantee that they will be happy. By only focusing on the basics of living one has less distractions and therefor more time to focus on the things that are the most important and will make someone the most happy. One is not distracted by cell phones, computers, or other pieces of technology that can take time away from one's family and friends. Living more simply also creates a stronger sense of community and stronger bonds with the people outside of one's own family.
ReplyDeleteI think that although these people express no interest in modernizing their culture, it needs to become a necessity for them to do so. Although the people may not know what they are lacking compared to the rest of the world, and are argueably suffering from that. I believe it is alright for them to not completly move away from their way of life, but some dire needs they have are medicines, proper food consumption, and education.
ReplyDeleteThis makes me think of the village children and how enthralled they are with Greg, they are so excited to walk with him and touch his hand. They are so easily pleased and excited and kids in our society are not like this at all. I think being unaware of the world outside their village makes them generous; they give the best they have to a complete stranger and don’t expect anything in return, unlike anyone else in the world, they are eager to give and treat others with kindness.
ReplyDeleteI think that in a society like Korphe, they learn to appreciate every moment of their lives knowing that they might not have a lot of time to live. They are thankful for having a little bit of food or being able to receive a little bit of education rather than desiring more than necessary like those in the Western world. I think because we are constantly surrounded by consumption and consumerism, it is very difficult to comprehend a society like this. They look at life thinking, this is what I have, it is enough, and I am happy to be alive with what I have. In contrast we are taught this is what I have, it isn't enough, and I am going to get more.
ReplyDeleteI think it is very hard for us to comprehend unless we have experienced it first hand. Mortenson is obviously able to comprehend it better than people who havent been to a 3rd world country or a village. he still doesnt even understand why we live the way we do and those people live how they do. I totally agree with the quote because we think that all of those things(asphalt,vehicals,telephones and televisions) are nessecities when in reality they are material luxeries. Some people dont even take thte time to think about how lucky they are to live in America and have all the material things they could ever want and more.
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting idea to me because even some of the poorest places in the world are exposed to these conveniences; whether they have the chance to enjoy them or not is a different story. I think if a group of people was able to live in complete ignorance of all of our modern developments, they would be completely happy. They would not know anything different and would not have anything else to compare their living conditions to. If you look around the poor parts of the world, most of the people are extremely happy. They find joy in small things that people of America wouldn't think twice about. But the thing is, most of these people do have access to some of these things whether it be asphalt or television. I think in the world we live in it would be very hard to find a group of people completely isolated from all of our modern luxuries.
ReplyDeleteI don't agree, I think it would be better for us to know what goes on outside the United States, because then it would make us more greatful of what we have instead of just asking for more each day of our lives. It would give us a better understanding of what exactly this may suggest.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with the quote. I beleive that the society is so consumed in those things sometimes that they cannot comprehend what it suggests. A larger amount of Americans probably go about their everyday lives not really appreciating what they have and where they live. Even if they think that they aren't that rich and dont have the next new thing, they are still rich to people that have nothing. In our society though, the next new thing is always what people are shooting for, or to get higher up in society. Yes, that makes people successful and what not but also makes people more greedy. Sometimes we need to take a step back and look at what we have and maybe more people will be able to comprehend this.
ReplyDeleteIn the modern world that we have grown up in I don’t think we are able comprehend life without the slightest bit of technology. From the day we were born we have been used to having clean drinking water and even clean water to shower in, while places like Korphe would probably never even think to ask for such a luxury. Therefore, I don’t think we can truly say it would be better to live without the luxuries we easily take for granite because I don’t think we can come close to even imagining what life would be like without such things as clean water, multiple meals a day, or even a mattress to sleep on.
ReplyDeleteI’d have to agree with this quote, because in our society we don’t really appreciate what is given to us. For instance, if we were given a new iphone we’d only like it for a certain amount of time before wanting something that’s newer & better. When you live in bliss, like the villagers that Mortenson visited on his journey to K2, they enjoyed everything without knowing the pleasures us, as Americans, know from our culture. These people don’t have anything & whatever they do have, they cherish it for whatever it is. I don’t even think they know what greed is. Simply they live for what life has given them & treasure the little things they have.
ReplyDeleteI feel that for someone to live in bliss and to be happy, it doesn’t have to be in the ignorance of ‘modern technology’. Though they may seem like a happy people they still struggle and fight to get what they want and need for their daily lives. However people in the developed world still may have to fight and work for their daily needs as well. So I don’t think you can base someone’s happiness on whether they are aware of what is outside of their village, town or state and what they are ‘missing’. I think someone could be happy with their rural lives, or they could be happy with a life in a developed country, because no matter where you are you will be missing something, and there are always things that we want and things to strive towards. There are people who live in warm homes who are ignorant to the world around them to, that neglect nature, and are ignorant about people with different lives than their own, so I don’t think it really depends on what you have or know that you’re missing to be happy, I only that that having or knowing these things could aid you in your happiness or bliss.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's necessarily better to live without knowing any of our technology, but I think that it's just important to live in happiness regardless of what one has. It might make it easier to survive in a place that has nothing if you don't know that these things exist. If you have to live without it, I guess it might be better to not know it exists. That way, at least you're not spending your time dreaming of things you can't have.
ReplyDeleteCan we fully comprehend having nothing? Probably not. And certainly by now, we know of all those different things. I'd argue, however, that it doesn't take having nothing to be happy. We can still live in happiness with all our toys, just as they can without.
I think that this quote can be quite useful, in our society we have several concerns about everything that this quote is regarding. America, it seems, always has unlimited wants. Everyone is trying to top the other person. If we relax from these things for the most part life is relaxing from some of the hectic things that go on. Yet some people live without these things all of the time, without these constant needs for new technology everyone has a different out look on life. I feel that people in other countries have this to an extent, not knowing what they are supposed to have just leaves them worrying about other things that only they know.
ReplyDeleteI agree with this quote to some extent because those people did not have the knowledge of the existance of those things that exist in our modern world they would never know what they were missing out on. So in that fact they would be happy. HOWEVER because they had no knowledge of the things in our life, they would not be able to experience many things that people in our modern world are able to experience. Like the joys of sending kids off to school and parents pride in their kids because they were able to give them a step up.
ReplyDeleteI do think that it is difficult for us to imagine life without all of the technology we have. You can see that when people decide to go camping now. Instead of roughing it out, people have the need to bring everything they can with them so their lives are that much easier while they are out. In addition because we have never known another life it is difficult to imagine what it would be like to never have known what we have.
Since we live in a world that is constantly surrounded by chaos whether it's new gadgets or cars or television, I think it would be hard to imagine living in ignorance. I can't imagine living without all of the junk I go through so carelessly because that is the way we have all grown up. We don't even think about it. But I feel that living in ignorance would be so wonderful. People would never be competing with each other for who has a better this or who has a bigger that. I think these people have it easier. They just live in and with nature. They aren't polluting or poisoning this world, they are just living in it. Life seems much more simple for these people.
ReplyDeleteI think the problem with living in bliss is the medicinal and schooling piece. Without knowledge of medicine more people could die than what should. The children also want to learn, but in learning they become aware of the world. They learn that there is much more out there and then somehow the ignorance disappears.
I think that to some extent it would be nice. Life would be so much more relaxed on a day to day basis but also, there would be much more suffering due to lack of medical care as well as lack of food. There wouldn't be stress about getting places on time and how you spend your money which would be really nice however there would be stress about other things like getting food and getting work done for your whole village. Living that way with out knowing of the other technology and the other pleasures the rest of the world enjoys would be another thing. People always want what they don't have. As busy Americans, a life with out time and a schedule sounds very nice, however, this may only be because we take for granted what we have. It's hard to judge and weigh someones happiness against anothers, there are too many factors.
ReplyDeleteI believe that we have a life that people look at and say they want, and I can understand why. People look at our society from other countries that are less fortunate and they do want what we have and can ya blame them? We live in a society today that has materials to use and yes we're in debt but we're a lot better off than many other countries. We here are aware of many things that surround us every day and that may lead to hurting us in the end, but I also think that it helps us. We have advances that help us know what to do or what’s going on. These countries that don’t have anything or much don’t know that they aren’t missing. I think that it doesn’t hurt them while living. They have a way of life and don’t need to be just like ours. They have a different life that works for them, but I also think that the things we have could help them live better. Personally I’m not sure if it would help or hurt.
ReplyDeleteI agree with this quote, it's better not knowing what you can have so that way you won't desire it. The people in the village don't know about the other things they can have like technology and they still have a very happy simple life. You don't need all those material things to be happy. But it's a big lesson for us to appreciate what we have.
ReplyDeleteI think you can live in our society and also live in bliss. The author is trying to say that television and telephones are the things that make us miserable and I disagree. I think we make ourselves miserable and that television and telephones have nothing to do with it.
ReplyDeleteI think you should not live in bliss without knowing it because then you are usually stuck up and sometimes disrespecting others around you. I think when you do live this way you need to understand it and understand that most people are not fortunate enough to live this way. I also believe that when you do live this way you should help the others that can't live this way.
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