NPR's Book of the Day Mark Lilla's new book explores the psychology and consequences of willful ignorance
Jan 13, 2025
Mark Lilla digs into the curious phenomenon of willful ignorance, revealing how our psychology influences what we choose to know or ignore. He highlights the societal pressures and the role social media plays in shaping our engagement with information. The discussion also touches on the divide in knowledge across different educational backgrounds and how it affects our collective understanding. Lilla's insights challenge us to examine the complex relationship between our desire for awareness and the comfort found in ignorance.
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Avoiding Hard Financial Truths
- Andrew Limbong shares how he avoided checking his low bank balance to feel freer during tough financial times.
- This illustrates personal willful ignorance as a coping mechanism.
Human Curiosity and Avoidance
- People vary between curiosity and a desire to avoid constant inquiry depending on what helps their lives.
- At times, everyone wants to temporarily shut out information to cope.
Social Change Fuels Willful Ignorance
- Large social changes can create widespread willful ignorance as people avoid confronting rapid shifts.
- A key factor is the distrust between educated and less educated social groups.
