Ignorance is Strength
I was talking to an old friend on the phone the other day. Somehow current events in the world came up and the subject of Gaza and Russia came up and I asked what he thought about the state of the world. “Ahh man, I don’t pay attention to that BS.” He had no clue about the genocide going on in Isreal or the Russian Ukraine war. Once I realized I was talking to an idiot I politely told him I had to pee and said, “peace out.”
I was genuinely annoyed that this grown ass col lege graduate was proudly ignorant of world affairs and didn’t give a flip what was going on outside his world, but he could tell me the Bills season sched ule off the top of his head. I understand I’m kind of a news junkie and an overly opinionated a##hole but I believe people should have some awareness of world events especially when a crime against humanity is being perpetrated before the worlds eyes while being paid for by their governments tax money and nuclear war is potentially on the horizon. But that’s just me.
The more I thought about it I realize he’s not alone in his obliviousness and probably most Americans share his ignorance and that’s just the way the ruling classes like it. It reminded me, once again of the futuristic dystopian novel by George Orwells 1984, where the totalitarian oligarchical government known as Big Brother has total psychological and physical control of the masses through state sponsored propaganda called “doublethink”. “Doublethink was the practice of holding two contradictory beliefs at the same time and accepting both as true.”
In the book, doublethink was exemplified in an anthem that the masses were made to chant daily to the party- “War is peace. Freedom is slavery, Ignorance is strength.” The longer I live, the more 1984 has become a reality in this world. “War is peace” is repeated to us every day when we are told we must support the genocide in Israel; to keep America safe from the barbarian hoards on the Gaza Strip. “Freedom is slavery.”
By surrendering personal liberty to the collective ruling classes society becomes unified. As we are told every time we enter government building or board a plane, we must allow the state to invade our person to make society safe. “Ignorance is strength.” Big Brother sees ignorance as a kind of strength for society. By not knowing too much, people are supposedly happier, more unified, and “protected” from dangerous truths.
I understand better now, Maybe I’m the fool. My life would probably be happier if I were ignorant of the evil in the world today. My blood pressure would certainly be much healthier, and I would sleep sounder. I wouldn’t worry about the world my children and grandchildren will inherit if any thing is left. Peace out. I gotta pee.