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Ignorance is curse, deliberate ignorance is bliss

18 May 2023 ——— 1 min. read

TL;DR: Learn a lot, but do it only on things that matter.

Some people know too much to the point of inaction, but knowing too little leads to recklessness ⚖️. I know this on a personal level.

Lately, the overwhelming amount of information surrounding me has caused me to ponder the delicate balance between knowledge acquisition and knowledge usage.

In my pursuit of knowledge, I've found myself endlessly scouring news articles, lectures, ted talks, and academic publications. At first, satiating my curiosity seemed invaluable. However, I soon realized that consuming these random bits of data wasn't necessarily beneficial. Really, it often felt like I was wasting time on trivialities and amplifying anxiety by feeding my brain with every new tidbit I came across.

I decided to reflect on my approach to learning, considering studies that I can find online, some being from 2018, which highlights the importance of environment in deriving satisfaction from knowledge acquisition. The idea struck me: was it possible to achieve happiness through deliberate ignorance?

Subsequently, I stumbled upon the research by Melnyk, which shows that selective ignorance can reduce stress and anxiety. As I thought over these findings, the concept of embracing ignorance seemed like a far more reasonable approach.

It's important to know what these essential knowledge are. I asked myself what I truly needed to learn to achieve my goals and support my well-being. By consciously outlining my areas of interest, I could remain focused and steer clear of irrelevant data dumps.

Curiosity is fantastic, but sometimes it feels like window shopping 😂. I've learned to manage my curiosity strategically, I think it's better to maximize learning while at the same time optimizing selective learning, to not be sucked into the mindless vortex of endless trivia.

At the same time, learning is not a one-time thing. It's a continuous process. I've come to understand that expertise is fleeting and requires ongoing engagement. By staying adaptable and staying informed about my areas of interest, I ensure that my intellectual journey remains rewarding and relevant.