The saying “ignorance is bliss” originated in 1768 from the English poet Thomas Gray. The meaning was never to say that being stupid makes you happier, but instead, being less informed can be blissful. If ignorance was bliss back in 1768 without all of today's omnipresent media then it’s even more poignant today. Currently, we’re over-informed, we know about anything and everything as soon as it happens. But what’s the point? The barrage of information we subject ourselves to is mostly irrelevant and often erodes our mood. Which is very unblissful.
What is information?
Examples of "ignorance is bliss"
Unless information is useful or improves our mood then what's the point of knowing it? Useless information that has a neutral effect is harmless. But useless information that erodes our mood should be avoided at all costs. Unfortunately, we are bombarded with the latter every day. This negative and useless information is not just from news and social media though. There are many shapes and forms. One thought experiment I like to ponder is that of owning a painting. Imagine for a moment that you collect fine art, not to make money, only to enjoy inside your home. You have a favourite -- one that you'll never sell. Every day you stare at this painting and it gives you deep joy. But unaware to you, it's fake. By learning that it's fake you'll never look at this painting the same again, the deep joy you once had will disappear. How is knowing this useful, surely ignorance is bliss?