There were times, especially during your childhood, when it might have been so, but not anymore. Today ignorance is dangerous, even deadly.
In the previous months, some people have claimed that the current pandemic is a hoax, but nothing could be further from the truth. Covid-19 is a sneaky and lethal virus, and paying no heed to scientists’ warnings, can and might cost you your life.
But surprisingly, ignorance is alive and well in many other fields. Lately, I have become an assiduous listener to TED talks and during my daily walks I often tune in to one of their excellent speakers.
Not too long ago, I heard a lecture about marriage, and it was very illuminating. The divorce rate in the US is between 40 to 50 percent. “Couples married between the ages of 20-25 are 60% likely to get a divorce.” And this often happens due to ignorance of the mechanics of wedlock.
Marriage is akin to a business partnership, and you don’t start a business without a clear understanding (by both sides) of its rules and obligations. It is said that love conquers all, but love and business are like water and oil; they don’t blend well, and this leads to all kinds of unexpected conflicts and bitter breakups.
As far as I know, there no classes teaching the intricate mechanics of a relationship, and if so, somebody ought to start teaching that subject. It has the potential to be a very lucrative business.
Marriage is also about sex, and again many people are pathetically ignorant about this subject. Sex, like any other discipline, ought to be widely taught, but it is not. Sex, by the way, has very little to do with reproduction. Procreation is a very simple operation, easily understood by everybody and it is taught in many schools. But recreational sex is not, and it is way more popular than reproductive sex.
Today, most juveniles (and many adults) learn about realistic sex through pornography. Pornographic sites are legions and available to anybody owning a computer. According to various media, pornography is watched equally by both sexes. It is not the ideal way to learn about an essential life discipline, but so far it seems to be the only way.
But things are changing, mainly due to vocal proponents of better sex understanding. Realistic, mutually satisfying sex. Women have been pioneers in this domain and ought to be congratulated for their bold approach. They are often more knowledgeable and gutsier than men in this field and demand to be heard.
Ignorance and complacency are our biggest enemies. Open your eyes and your mind and don’t listen to the so-called “guardians of decency.” As seen recently, they are the worst hypocrites and unashamed defenders of malevolent fiction.
“A quality education grants us the ability to fight the war on ignorance and poverty.” – Charles B. Rangel
Alain