We all likely believe that “some” things should not be learned, but we need to always keep in mind that if we “censor” information, it doesn’t make it go away. It only drives up the value of said information elsewhere.
I wonder why are we not similarly defeatist about other things we value. Imagine the following argument:
We all likely believe that murder is bad, but we need to always keep in mind that making it illegal does not make it go away. It only increases the profits of the hitmen.
Sorry for the exaggeration, but it seems to me that the argument is even economically valid, and yet...
Apologies for the long delay, as I took a “technology-less” vacation after writing this...But, Yes. I’ve always wondered the same thing… as along with your example, it seems like failure being measured as a cost could be applied to a number of concepts. I can’t really speak for others (of course), but I believe that “murdering” and “learning” being treated as “concepts” to assign value to can be part of the reason.
If you don’t mind.. I’ll rephrase your example because my phrase which you quoted (sounds busted, heh), but “driving up the value...elsewhere” does not seem cohesive to the preface, “we all likely believe some information should not be learned”. In hindsight it seems reactionary, as when I wrote it...I was not considering my own position.
“We all likely believe that the (act of) murder is bad, but we need to always keep in mind that (restriction of the act) making it illegal does not make it go away. It only increases the (_difficulty_ of performing the act of murder, which can have an effect on) the profits of the hitmen.”
Both of our examples are with regards to assigning a value to a concept, be it the act of murder, or the act of restricting information. In order for us to understand these concepts, we are required to know about or experience said “thing”, and also have a method to compare or benchmark said “thing”. So, only through comparision, we’re able to quantify its value to ourselves. So, unless the result is observable, in regards to increasing the rewards for those whom “murder” or “inform”, there’s no immediate way to benchmark whether something still aligns with our values or not.
Although, I do think that in some cases, it should be as simple as having an “extra” thought about it...However, “costs” being measured as a unit of time is not something that we all seem to be equally aware of when we assign it as a value to our desires/morals/needs. Despite time being a constant, it’s been suggested that we perceive time differently depending on how enjoyable or non-enjoyable our experiences are (dopamine). So I think comparisons of a monetary cost (in terms of “murder profits”) and a conceptual cost (in terms of time spent) has this additional factor that makes it difficult to value between us.
I wonder why are we not similarly defeatist about other things we value. Imagine the following argument:
Sorry for the exaggeration, but it seems to me that the argument is even economically valid, and yet...
Apologies for the long delay, as I took a “technology-less” vacation after writing this...But, Yes. I’ve always wondered the same thing… as along with your example, it seems like failure being measured as a cost could be applied to a number of concepts. I can’t really speak for others (of course), but I believe that “murdering” and “learning” being treated as “concepts” to assign value to can be part of the reason.
If you don’t mind.. I’ll rephrase your example because my phrase which you quoted (sounds busted, heh), but “driving up the value...elsewhere” does not seem cohesive to the preface, “we all likely believe some information should not be learned”. In hindsight it seems reactionary, as when I wrote it...I was not considering my own position.
“We all likely believe that the (act of) murder is bad, but we need to always keep in mind that (restriction of the act) making it illegal does not make it go away. It only increases the (_difficulty_ of performing the act of murder, which can have an effect on) the profits of the hitmen.”
Both of our examples are with regards to assigning a value to a concept, be it the act of murder, or the act of restricting information. In order for us to understand these concepts, we are required to know about or experience said “thing”, and also have a method to compare or benchmark said “thing”. So, only through comparision, we’re able to quantify its value to ourselves. So, unless the result is observable, in regards to increasing the rewards for those whom “murder” or “inform”, there’s no immediate way to benchmark whether something still aligns with our values or not.
Although, I do think that in some cases, it should be as simple as having an “extra” thought about it...However, “costs” being measured as a unit of time is not something that we all seem to be equally aware of when we assign it as a value to our desires/morals/needs. Despite time being a constant, it’s been suggested that we perceive time differently depending on how enjoyable or non-enjoyable our experiences are (dopamine). So I think comparisons of a monetary cost (in terms of “murder profits”) and a conceptual cost (in terms of time spent) has this additional factor that makes it difficult to value between us.