Ignorance has many powerful advantages over knowledge. Typically it is simple and easy to communicate, while knowledge, by its very nature, usually tends to be nuanced and complex. Ignorance requires no evidence and no research. It can be endlessly repeated and rapidly spread. It inflames passions. Its pervasiveness wears down those who attempt to combat it. And, often, it seems so outlandish and so -- well, so ignorant -- that it tends to be dismissed and underestimated by those in a position to know better: until it begins to take hold and become a kind of orthodoxy, by which point the damage is very hard to undo.
These are the opening words of a piece written by Brian Rosenberg at The Huffington Post this past Wednesday. They were pointed at North Carolina's "New" Governor Pat McCrory and the comments he made on Bill Bennett's radio show about the direction he would like to take higher education in North Carolina. However, the paragraph above can be used in an opening salvo in many arguments.
I started a diary about ignorance four years ago on 23 January 2009. I never finished my original post, but here is my opening;
There are many kinds of ignorance but the most unforgivable is willful ignorance. Not knowing something because you have no idea about a subject is one thing, but to chose to not listen, read or watch something because it doesn't fit your idea or your picture of what you think life should be or it "offends" you is willful ignorance.
Mr. Rosenberg and I are making similar points. The biggest difference is the ignorance I start off with describing is more of a passive ignorance and the ignorance that Mr. Rosenberg describes is a much more aggressive ignorance. But in both of our perspectives ignorance can have an agenda. When we encounter ignorance, no matter what the topic and we try to assist in overcoming the ignorance and our assistance and comments are ignored, ask yourself; "Why?"
On with the games!!
Mojo Friday Guidelines
1) If you comment you have to recommend all comments. (in order to receive mojo you have to give mojo. It's only good mojo manners.)
2) Everything you say may be taken as a joke (so if you ask a question, expect a silly answer)
3) You must recommend the diary (and pimp it unapologetically)
4) You don't have to comment to recommend.
5) You can't steal my idea (right, like that ain't goin' to happen)
6) Please, no pictures or YouTubes until after 300 comments. Now, after 100, use a little common courtesy and be responsible in the number.
7) Mojo mojo mojo mojo, mojo mojo mojo.
8) TexDem (that's me) is not bound by the guidelines. Heh
Mojo Friday Goals
A. At least 300 different commenters and 1000 comments by 1:30 PM EST and 1500 by 5:00 PM EST Friday Night that it's posted.
B. 100 recommends for each comment, at least.
C. Stay on Recommend List at least five hours (this requires some strategic planning by you guys, refer to guideline #3)
D. At least 200 diary recommends. 300 would be better, spread the word.
E. And always, fun fun fun.
F. Have at least 75% average participation rate as seen here in the Mojo Friday Postgame Show by Woodtick and bjedward.
G. (New) Have at least 30 kossacks over 90% participation (see here for some tips).
H. Overload the servers with recommends, not to mention dominate Top Comments Mojo list. (we do tend to mess with the site with all of our recommends at one time)(also, to dominate the Top Comments Top Mojo we need at least 50 comments with over 200 recommends, see guideline B)
I. That's enough for now. (Have a suggestion? Post it.)
MKinTN posted a diary to help everyone achieve greater success called How to Succeed at Mojo Friday Without Really Trying.
For those of you new to MF (Mojo Friday) we have our own lingo about a few things. Thank's to MF'er Jez (the link will explain) go to this diary for a little more fun and explanation. Official Mojo Friday Snecktionary.