Ignorance is easy

“Ignorance is bliss” – this is one quote I’ve always had an ambiguous view about. Ignorance cannot be equated with bliss! Our knowledge of medicine has ensured that we live longer, healthier lives. The invention of the wheel has helped us go from one place to another rapidly, effectively making the world a smaller place to live in. The internet has made knowledge easily accessible, and is in fact filled with unnecessary information. I think you get the drift. At a rational level, knowledge is wonderful and helps us lead better lives. In an ideal world, it would also be used for the right reasons. There would be no terrorism and no hackers on the internet.  Knowledge unfortunately is often used for not-so-nice purposes (I find the term evil strong).

However, knowledge pricks the bubbles we live in. We wouldn’t have the desire to travel if we didn’t know there are places to explore. We could live in bubbles of ignorance, in true bliss. But the problem arises when we realize that we are living in a bubble. You would be happy eating at Beijing Bites, until you discover Mainland China. Our perceptions of people too change when we discover more about their lives. We understand why they do what they do, and we can’t interpret their actions in the same manner. Last week’s incident in Delhi where a 23 year-old was gang-raped horrified several women across the country as we could be next. It is the knowledge of the possibility that it could happen to any woman that is terrifying. We could live our lives as a bachelor or spinster but the knowledge that a happily (howsoever one may choose to define happiness) married life is possible bothers us. Hallucinations and fantasy are another story altogether; you wouldn’t be bothered by them until you know you are hallucinating or fantasizing. Knowledge is indeed a killjoy.

I think it boils down to our choices. Ignorance is the easy way out. Complications are minimal, and it is less exhausting. Indians are discontented with their lives so they move abroad in search of greener pastures, and that creates the larger problems of identity confusion and brain drain. Plane crashes would not occur if the airplane hadn’t been invented in the first place. Do you see the chain of events? It would be as easy as counting from 1 to 3 if we were unaware of the options. Sometimes because one lacks the courage or strength they choose an easy career. Our experiences, perceptions and more importantly choices are what determine whether ignorance is truly bliss or not. It is we who decide what to ignore and what not to ignore. The flight or fight response (slightly exaggerated analogy) applies to this too. The irony, however is that only when one gains knowledge can one truly say whether ignorance is bliss or not. Doesn't the very fact that you know it is ignorance mean you understand what knowledge is? You cannot consciously ignore something without acknowledging it. Maybe there is a need for rephrasing. Or maybe it is best to leave it as a mystery, not complicate it and live in bliss!

Me and My Several Shades

The sky was dark purple and crystal clear. It was so clear, that I could pursue my favourite hobby of spotting constellations. Of course, I spotted Orion in a flash. The grass felt like velvet to my bare feet. A million fireflies flew around the enormous meadow. Wait, they were not fireflies! They were fairies the size of Thumbelina. A hundred of them carried a silver plate, which contained the largest chocolate cake I'd ever seen. But, before I could devour it, I read the blood red icing on it. It said: Devil's Food. Eat at your own risk.

Take one look at certain roads of Bangalore, and you''ll see that the the city has been hit by an infestation of litter-bugs! Commercial Street is one of the areas most affected by this infestation. Not only does it ruin the aesthetics and our health, but also adversely affects animals. It is heart breaking to see cows feed on the garbage left by ignorant citizens. Bangalore isn't called the Garden City for no reason. However, our carelessness is our own demon, and no one is going to help us apart from we ourselves. A plus point is that you don't have to be an environmentalist to stop littering(and stop others from doing so). Mother Nature will truly appreciate these little significant acts which show that we care for her.

With flour covered fingers I placed the tray of cookies in the oven. Next to me, he was chopping vegetables to make cutlets. We were cooking a special diner to celebrate five years of our blissful relationship. Yes, five years is a long time by today's standards and we baffle people. Some skeptics say that one day this will end. Well, what I can say is that our souls are too connected, and "The End" is not going to happen anytime soon. I think that we all share a soul connection with friends and lovers. It is these special people who always give you a shoulder to cry on, even when they themselves need one. I would probably lose my sanity without them.

My friend dragged me into a gift shop as she wanted to buy a gift for another friend. However, she took me into a shop where everything is sprayed with pink, red and white. Corny dialogues yell at you from almost every card. Where is the originality in anything? The most hideous designs are the ones with red roses against a black background. Gifts need to be personal, not cheesy. This shop is the last place I come to while shopping for a friend's birthday gift. And yes, I am fortunate to be single.

The above paragraphs were a glimpse into the various shades of my nature. Like any other human being, my nature is not something you can describe in one word. I have different shades - red, blue, black, white, selfish, selfless, hardworking, lazy, neurotic, balanced...the list goes on (or maybe not?). Every one of us is a unique amalgamation of numerous hues and shades. And no, it is not because God does not repeat the same mistake twice.