Now, don't right away poo-poo this question because of the source from which it came.

I was watching South Park (funny stuff), the episode regarding Mormons to be specific. Where it would tell the story of mormons with John Smith reading from a hat, and not being able to read the same words from the same stuff later with the chorus of "dum dum dum dum dum" all the while. In the end though, the Mormons in this episode were a happy, united, and loving family. They donated blood, gave to charities, had family fun night, gave rice krispie squares to the homeless all this loving, caring, and happy stuff.

This raised the question in my tiny immature humor brain; Is it better to be dumb dumb dumb dumb dumb but excedingly happy with life, good to those around you, and a truly loving caring individual, or is it better to be intelligent?

I've realized that most of the intelligent folk I know are at the very least some what introvert, while the stupider one gets the more in love with life they appear to be. I realize this isn't true for everyone, and there are reasons behind why it would seem so (ie. drunk=stupid=happy, unaware of reprecussions or dangers already taking place=happy.)

Still I wonder if the old adage "Ignorance is Bliss" has any validity to it. Because having knowledge means having to reflect on this knowledge perhaps even having to worry about what this knowledge entails. For example; people who are unaware of various bills passed since the threat of "terrorists" have come about will be vastly happier then one who knows how tattered the bill of rights is becoming. Also, apparently, those who think native americans were from jerusalem and adam and eve lived in missouri will be much happier then those who don't think "seeer stones" that can't tell the same story twice is a good source of evidence.

Oh well, what say you people of totse? Dumb and happy or smart?

[This message has been edited by I_Like_Traffic_Lights (edited 07-17-2004).]

Two things...

Wrong forum (http://www.totse.com/bin/bbs/forumdisplay.cgi?action=topics&forum=Humanities&number=31&DaysPrune=365&LastLogin=)...

And...

"If ignorance is bliss, I'll stay happily sad."

In otherwords, the latter. http://www.totse.com/bbs/smile.gif (http://www.totse.com/bbs/smile.gif)

My mate was dumb tonight. He was drunk and giving hassle to people who didn't deserve it.

Anyway It's a good question. I think a mixture of both is what people need. But then again it depends on how advanced you are spiritually.

Wether you are intelligent or dumb doesn't really matter, but if you are spiritually advanced then you will be more happy.

Personally I would say I have the intelligence, but not the spiritual advancement and it makes life pretty difficult. I understand that what I'm thinking is bad, but I can't help but think it. But it's good in the way that when I think good things, I understand why I think them, which makes me feel even better.

But with dumb people who do bad things. They don't have the intelligence to realise it's bad. But one day it will hit them like a tonne of bricks in 1 unexpected realisation, which is something I wouldn't want to go through.

[This message has been edited by ---Beany--- (edited 07-17-2004).]

I posted this in humanities, but I honestly think it's better suited here. I don't know perhaps I'm not efficient in explaining myself. My thoughts aren't sufficiently expressed through words, and meaning gets lost in the medium. I either become long winded (usually attempting to stop myself from getting too long winded forgetting essential parts in the process), or I throw it all into cliche form. Not that I wrap it up in an actual cliche, but try to succinctly say my intention in a sentence or two that could concievably be quoted. Both options fail to truly express what my mind is screaming to let loose.

I guess what I'm after isn't so much happiness vs. intelligence, but more of a matter of what to do with moments. The "moment" mentioned in beany's post about God's punishment. That is, is it over-all better put to use using the moment "now" as building blocks to a greater moment in the future that will eventually become "now". Or is it better to celebrate the moment that is "now". Because, after all, when you have fun that is basically what you are doing celebrating "now" in all it's glory.

Would life be better spent, say, reading and studying religious text, practicing certain skills, planning, and preparing? Making life somewhat of a constant improvement, but never fully enjoyable because your mind is on later, and thusly it is easy to forget to enjoy life. Life is to be enjoyed, you know.

Would life be better spent living it? In celebration of being alive and being in the "now". Being happy, and inspiring happiness in others through your happiness. In the end both have to end, so why not live a life worth living. A life full of life, and happy memories of happiness?

Pre-script: The part about john smith reading out of a hat is completely true. I can enlighten you on the entire mormon odyssey if you like, but you probably wouldn't like.

I would rather have intelligence at the cost of anything and everything else. I definitely know what you mean with 'ignorance is bliss', but ignorant people don't deserve to live.

The world isn't a blissful place, and ignorant people are deluding themselves and hurting others.

I think life can be blissfull. Haven't you ever heard The Beatles' song "All You Need Is Love"?

it's easy

Seriously though, living life can be bullshit, but it can be blissful. You just can't allow yourself to be crushed by life. Keep a sense of humor about life, and keep a sense of humor about yourself too. You shouldn't take life too seriously, you'll never get out of it alive.

Far too often people reach hardships then just give up. On their dreams and on themselves. Then for the rest of their lives they have to wake up each morning and FORCE themselves to do shit they do NOT WANT TO DO. Instead of right from the start (if need be) FORCE themselves to go out and do what they DO want to do.

and that's live