Poking through the Poke-able

This here is a discussion of ‘knowledge/ information’ in general. I am aware of the branches of knowledge and the classifications. This entry also has little to do with epistemology or skepticism. The beginning quotes too may appear to have dissimilarities with the subject discussed.

“The entire universe and everything in it is driven by a primordial will to live thus resulting in all creatures desire to avoid death and procreate.”

However someone else suggested that, “People and animal really want power; living in itself only as a subsidiary aim -- in defense states, people and animal willingly risk their lives in order to promote their power, most notably competitive fighting and warfare.”

Over the past century many events have took place, historic moments have occurred in terms of conflicts, natural disasters, new inventions, productions and the changes that took place in rapidly growing industries and countries. We have seen it grown exponentially everywhere around us. As we move forward in this frenzy trying to not get lost and keep in track of the worlds changes it makes the world appear as if it’s spinning faster and faster each day.

In this time of development and advancement parents have failed to educate their children about the purpose of education or on why they gain knowledge. It won’t be of surprise if their kids join in with the majority just like their parents did. If all we want from education is a comfortable home, a posh car and a decent job, then we fail to realize the purpose of our creation. School, teachers and the education systems have failed.

For instance the media portray bad guys dressed in sleek suits, designer’s clothes living in a mansion with luxurious cars and surrounded by many friends. And in the viewers’ eyes, it gives the impression that they’re truly leading a happy and successful life. Which become a goal and a misconception of the meaning of happiness. The point is, these shows and information by the media program peoples mind into false beliefs and consequently affects the younger, vulnerable minds.

It is also sad realizing that the mind of people can be manipulated so easily. Just make the majority believe so and you’ve won the game. Just like how Edward Bernays used the media to manipulate the public opinion using the psychology of subconscious through advertisements.

In relative to the subject, if a drug lord and a professor attend the same function dressed under the same dress code, are they both equally educated and noble? The mindset of determining people from their outer appearances is inaccurate and shallow. No doubt about it that it gives the wearer confidence and the feeling of being accepted and perhaps even more equal than others.

This proves that the western ideology that we have adapted as our own is only effective in differentiating the poor and the rich and most probably, its initial purpose was to separate the nobles from the poor.

Whether or not you realize or agree to this, we are already re-living the old Greek lifestyle of the ‘master slave morality’. Whereas good is: wealth, strength, health and power and bad is: poor, weak, sick and pathetic. As much as some might want to disagree to that, that’s not how it is today, at the back of everyone’s head that mentality is already engraved in.

People with knowledge discriminate against those who don’t have any or those who possess lesser than them. Knowledge these days represents wealth and elitism. Sure, there’s a need to be elevated in everyone for knowing information that others don’t but that is not the prize but a challenge to the one who hold expertise that other’s don’t.

Having said that, I am guessing it is safe to assume that knowledge too can be good and bad.

Finally, having carefully thought of this idea, I come to realization that not everyone has the opportunity to gain knowledge. Circumstances and aspects such as poverty, war, bad neighborhood, matters that disallow one to gain knowledge are inevitable.

In addition to that, one cannot bring him-self to a different stage of life if he hasn’t yet fulfilled his fundamental needs. This is derived from the theory of the Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Though only a theory, judging from experience and the experience of others, I think it speaks for the majority people of the modern world.

In conclusion there will always be divisions of classes within people, and discrimination, there is no escaping it. And that life in itself is mysterious and has a way of its own in doing things. Maybe with enough knowledge one can finally decipher it.

“There is no formula for success except perhaps an unconditional acceptance of life and what it brings”

Arthur Rubinstein.