Non Sequitur by Wiley Miller for April 26, 2024

One of those routes is little traveled

Why is there a guru on the ignorance trail?

Which do you want to be: The sheep or the shepherd?

Are we allowed to make political remarks? There is a dichotomy in modern politics — not least in the US — that corresponds to exactly this theme.

Ignorance is bliss unless you get evicted.

Silence in golden.

I don’t know and I don’t care.

If ignorance is bliss, why begin the journey in the first place?

If ignorance is bliss, then a good many people have achieved nirvana.

IIRC, the original phrasing went something like this: “Where ignorance is bliss, ’tis folly to be wise.” Lopping off both ends kind of changes the meaning.

The path to “Ignorance is Bliss” is actually all downhill.

Knowledge only gives power over the ignorant and ignorance is only bliss while everyone is ignorant.

If ignorance is bliss, why are stupid people always getting mad at me?

It’s the combination of power and ignorance that scares me.

Honestly, just turn back.

Big fish … or little fish? Whale shark … or plankton?

Repubs; go left. Dems, right. The rest of us? Turn back.

Looks like no matter which path you choose, you have to crawl. Those signs look too low to walk under.

Sometimes, it’s good to have choices.

I wonder what is the origin of the guru on the mountain thing. Seems like it was in the The Razors Edge, but I’m sure it’s older than that. The hero, returning from WWI, tells his fiancé he cannot marry her until he first finds himself. She says, tell me Larry, how long is it going to take for this finding yourself. A classic.

Interestingly, both apply to MAGA and the like: the bosses use knowledge of human frailties to convince the masses to remain ignorant and controllable. All are darned.

Sep 7, 2023 — IQ scores have decreased in the US for the first time in decades, new research from scientists at Northwestern University – Reuters

I’m not saying MAGAT stupidity is lowering the IQ of the entire count……oh wait. Yes I am.

“Stupidity is a more dangerous enemy of the good than malice.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

“New Hampshire could soon beat Florida—known for its anti-vaccine Surgeon General—when it comes to loosening vaccine requirements. A first-in-the-nation bill that’s already passed New Hampshire’s state House, sponsored only by Republican legislators, would end the requirement for parents enrolling kids in childcare to provide documentation of polio and measles vaccination.”- Mother Jones 4/21/24

The problem is MAGAT stupidity is so dangerous. They are our Titanic. They will take us all down with them.

The path to “ignorance is bliss” takes you to the right!

I would rather have the power than the bliss in this instance lol

Ignorance of a problem is bliss for a while. Unfortunately, it doesn’t last and there is a reckoning.

Complete ignorance is complete bliss

How appropriate. I am reading a article in Scientific American on Willful Ignorance. People choose to be willfully ignorant because they do not want to live with the guilt of the consequences of their actions.

I can be selfish because it doesn’t hurt anyone.

Even the best of us like not to think about things like the conditions under which our tennis shoes are made when buying them.

It’s easier just to stay home and take either the red pill or the blue pill.

Early detection is key to positive outcomes.

Knowledge is Power. France is Bacon.

Both those signs are too low to walk under.

I would take the path to the left.

I didn’t make it that far. I fell off the bridge over troubled waters.

Turns out ignorance may be bliss, it’s certainly the easiest choice, but it also breeds hate and violence, and the ability to not tell fact from fiction.

If you don’t know what you don’t know, you don’t know what you don’t know.

Do I want to be smart, or happy? Go for happy every time.

“Knowledge is power”. Cassandra would beg to differ.

So that’s why that study stated that Conservatives are happier (more blissful) than Liberals… huh!

The left sign could read “Democrats” and the right sign could read “Republicans”.

No hats to the left, red hats to the right.

I say stay in the valley. Have a life!

Actually, ignorance is just ignorance.

Sort of like trying to decide between the drinks Powerade (sports drink) and CannaBliss (cannabis-infused water).

They are so close … visit both

If you enter on the right, you forget to duck your head and knock yourself unconscious.

when you come to the fork in the road…take it

a brilliant truth, thanks

The Ignorance is Bliss trail leads to the DC Swamp.

I think the ignorance trail goes down hill.

I didn’t hike all this way to be lectured by some idiot guru

Shouldn’t there be balloons floating around the guru on the right?

Explains why it’s often so hard to move forward!

Doesn’t matter. Neither guru is smart enough to put the sign next to the path instead of blocking it.

Left is the right way to go, where right is wrong.

Folks who refuse to think for themselves deserve their ignorance.

Power is the ability to create “facts” the ignorant accept in today’s world

The knowledge climb is significantly longer and steeper at the end.

If you have knowledge, you know that you’ll run into a sign. If you’re ignorant, you’ll probably run into the sign over and over. Is that bliss?

Knowledge would be power if you could actually change the way things are. Be frustrated or happy?

Politics in America today

The obvious resolution is that power is not bliss.

Where does the chasm in the middle lead to?

Yes. Quite the conundrum. Two paths blocked by signs.

I’ll go with the knowledge, although I really don’t desire power, I just like learning.

I’d think the steps on the right-hand trail would be worn down to a smooth incline based on the whole of our species.

Power can corrupt, but being stupid can get you a dictator in control of your life…tough choice…

Wisdom is neither

Power corrupts. Nature doesn’t tolerate fools.

Where’s non-duality when you really need it?

Either one you’re going to hit your head on the sign unless you duck.

I always liked this Dilbert dialog:

Dilbert reading a book.

Dogbert: Don’t do that!!!Dilbert: Why?Dogbert: Because knowledge is power. And power corrupts. And corruption is a crime. And crime doesn’t pay. If you keep reading, you’ll go broke!

Would expect that the path to the right has a lot more wear than the path on the left…

Either way, you’ve got it made!

Media is triggering….Ignorance is limiting but peaceful…

Whatever path you’re taking – the signs will force you to a deep bow.

Choose: Powerful & Miserable or happily ignorant.