03-16-2003, 10:01 AM
Hail Haider,
Agreed. I don't know how many times I have wanted to quote it in full, but I always forget the second half: "Ignorance is bliss, but..." something-something. No, it's not "go crazy" :P Anywho, ignorance is not the way, but am I ignorant to what is going on in the world? No, I just avoid the mass media.
I spend a great deal of my day chatting to people: that is something I quite enjoy doing, and you pick up a lot from doing it - especially if the people you are speaking to you know a lot about any topic you do not. Anywho, before I get off track, I learn what is going on from people: I avoid all the stupidity and so forth, while still being quite aware of what is going on. I have many arab mates, including Iraqis (and a Kurd I should note), so I am far from ignorant to the Iraq issue at the moment. There's a couple of Americans living near me, so I am up with what goes on there. I've also a Russian mate, who spends most of each year in asian nations; he mostly keeps me up to date with the day-to-day events in Korea, though also China (and Taiwan) and Japan too; occationally Russia, but he hates his mother country. I have an Austrian mate, who keeps me up to date with Austria and Germany; online, I'm good mates with Americans, Canadians, Sweeds, etc. I chat with them a lot too, though individually not as much as those I can truly speak to.
Anywho, the point I am getting at, I find the best way to keep up with current events is to speak to people who are/have recently been where they are happening. After all, they have a better idea of what is going on than those in the mass media. Besides, I'm related to a few dozen journalists, and one used to be a Professor of Journalism: I think, if I cared two hoots, I could get the journalists opinion without picking up a paper, listening to a radio, or watching a TV, very easily. Last time I asked any of them for an opinion, it was on Indonesian atrocities in East Timor: I didn't know anyone from over there, so I had no choice.
Ignorance is not bliss, but there is more than one way to skin a rabbit. (see, I too can use cliches :lol: )
Agreed. I don't know how many times I have wanted to quote it in full, but I always forget the second half: "Ignorance is bliss, but..." something-something. No, it's not "go crazy" :P Anywho, ignorance is not the way, but am I ignorant to what is going on in the world? No, I just avoid the mass media.
I spend a great deal of my day chatting to people: that is something I quite enjoy doing, and you pick up a lot from doing it - especially if the people you are speaking to you know a lot about any topic you do not. Anywho, before I get off track, I learn what is going on from people: I avoid all the stupidity and so forth, while still being quite aware of what is going on. I have many arab mates, including Iraqis (and a Kurd I should note), so I am far from ignorant to the Iraq issue at the moment. There's a couple of Americans living near me, so I am up with what goes on there. I've also a Russian mate, who spends most of each year in asian nations; he mostly keeps me up to date with the day-to-day events in Korea, though also China (and Taiwan) and Japan too; occationally Russia, but he hates his mother country. I have an Austrian mate, who keeps me up to date with Austria and Germany; online, I'm good mates with Americans, Canadians, Sweeds, etc. I chat with them a lot too, though individually not as much as those I can truly speak to.
Anywho, the point I am getting at, I find the best way to keep up with current events is to speak to people who are/have recently been where they are happening. After all, they have a better idea of what is going on than those in the mass media. Besides, I'm related to a few dozen journalists, and one used to be a Professor of Journalism: I think, if I cared two hoots, I could get the journalists opinion without picking up a paper, listening to a radio, or watching a TV, very easily. Last time I asked any of them for an opinion, it was on Indonesian atrocities in East Timor: I didn't know anyone from over there, so I had no choice.
Ignorance is not bliss, but there is more than one way to skin a rabbit. (see, I too can use cliches :lol: )
May the wind pick up your heels and your sword strike true.