Jikuu Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 I was reading about how Andorra has the highest reported life expectancy, about 85 years old. They think that this is in part due to the fact that they are so isolated. There are no airports or train stations in Andorra, and the nearest city is 2 hours away. They are their own nation, hidden in the mountains between Spain and France. Being the overactive imaginer that I am, I started toying with the idea of running away to Andorra, to leave everything behind and be peaceful and safe from the world's worries. Besides learning Catalan and picking up a useful trade out there, doesn't seem too bad, right? But what about my responsibilities towards society in general, my fellow human beings? Shouldn't I share in their woes and joys and not abandon them? Do I not have a right to know what's going on in the world and make my voice heard when the conflict is great enough? Isn't it just running away? So, I wish to pose this question to you all as I have myself. When is it alright to step back from things, and when is it OK to stay in the thick of it? Is stress worth the price of knowledge, or is isolated peace a better alternative? Which one builds better characters, makes you a better person? I know this sounds a bit cliched, but I have no better use of words. I seek enlightenment, and I do not know if hiding from negative influences really promotes that agenda. I want to share this with you and understand your points of view. Please indulge me. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lion Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 Now, you have to remember a few things about Andorra: 1. They are a pretty small nation. 2. They are not so isolated anymore; people from France and Spain are starting to visit Andorra. 3. The population of Andorra at the 2006 census was only 69,150. But I love peace and quiet. So I will go for Peace instead of Knowledge in this debate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coco Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 When you are faced with a challenge, you can build character. You can prove to yourself that you CAN overcome obstacles. So I prefer "knowledge", match wits with people, argue here and there... The world would just be too boring if it became too peaceful. You have to face those negative things to progress in life and have that sense of accomplishment or else you would just be wandering around aimlessly in this world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jikuu Posted April 24, 2009 Author Share Posted April 24, 2009 Andorra's primary trade is tourism, but they make it sound like they don't have things like Internet over there, so they're not getting a steady stream of news. I also think it's pretty bad that only 2% of the land is arable, so they import a lot of their foods. And to play devil's advocate, peace doesn't always mean boring. Things that can spice up a day without creating conflict can be things like "searching for a friend's gift" or "working on a hobby or craft". Things that, while in themselves can be interesting, aren't necessarily rife with quarrel. That which is interesting can sometimes be taken for granted or overlooked. Can't peace be a platform for gaining knowledge in other circumstances, since the pursuit can occur without lesser troubles getting in the way? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shell Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 Personally, I think it is our duty as citizens of any country to be invested in and aware of current events in the world and its future. While you may have a better life, I believe it is also our duty to make sure other people are not suffering (although this is inevitable, in this age, and perhaps forever) and to try to improve the world as a whole, whether through working in a global organization, teaching, volunteering in your town or working in a lab in a city (and much more) Since everyone can't run away to little isolated villages, there will always be tons of work to do. I consider it irresponsible to run away from all because you can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taliesan Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Hmn, this is purely my opinion based on my own observations and experience but, peace doesen't last. And in such a sitation as you've proposed you'd have prior experience of world issues which you'd bring with you, and most people for a time could easily forget all that, but once the peaceful quiet life becomes a more common thing for you, those issues would probably creep back in. Peace and quiet leaves alot to be desired - its nice for a while but it becomes repetative, boring, you'd probably think a lot and eventually you'd turn back to the affairs of the rest of the world - out of boredom or curiosity? Nothing wrong with the peaceful quiet life, ignorance is bliss after all, but the ignorant are often the first to fall should anything serious take place. I suppose it depends on your own views, would you like to be oblivious to the fact that someones about to run you over, or would you prefer to see it? Also, if you remain blissfully ignorant you'll get hurt, if you face the knowledge you have the chance to stop it from happening. ^^ I think I'm rambling a bit now lol, but thats the way I see it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jikuu Posted May 14, 2009 Author Share Posted May 14, 2009 I think in the end education needs to be kept up. Yes, as generations pass, the recalled threat would be away from the collective mind, but as long as there are books to document that, it would be beneficial in the end. I believe that peace doesn't have to be boring. I don't think anyone really wants to go out and fight and kill people for any reason. I don't think we should shelter ourselves either, or else you end up with a place like Recluce, where the creation of the isolationist nation is causing strife in other areas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unstream Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 Lol this reminds me of The Matrix. Will you take the red pill, or the blue pill? And the same way Cypher decided to choose ignorance of the real world and live inside the matrix "peacefully." Personally, it depends on what the knowledge is. If the knowledge is this real world we live in, then I'd take it, but if the knowledge would be like the kind in the matrix, then I'd pick ignorance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazy monkey Posted May 17, 2009 Share Posted May 17, 2009 hmmm... though i do enjoy peace, i dont think id be able to survive without knowing what was happening in my world. not knowing that people are dying of swine flu everyday(jus an example) i would rather know too much than not know anything, so im obviously going with knowledge. also, if Andorra doesnt have modern technolegy... id die right there on the spot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jikuu Posted May 17, 2009 Author Share Posted May 17, 2009 not knowing that people are dying of swine flu everyday(jus an example) Actually, the swine flu is no more deadly than real flu, and many less have suffered and died from it than normal flu. The media overreacted. They even found the little boy thought to be patient zero, and he's alive and healthy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazy monkey Posted May 17, 2009 Share Posted May 17, 2009 Actually, the swine flu is no more deadly than real flu, and many less have suffered and died from it than normal flu. The media overreacted. They even found the little boy thought to be patient zero, and he's alive and healthy. oh really? i guess i didnt kno because the news has toned down a little bit now. i knew that it wasnt deadly jus how people were dying in mexico a little while ago Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jikuu Posted May 18, 2009 Author Share Posted May 18, 2009 oh really? i guess i didnt kno because the news has toned down a little bit now. i knew that it wasnt deadly jus how people were dying in mexico a little while ago Yep, they finally toned things down about a week ago. I think this incident kinda shows that knowledge can bring peace in the end. Granted, it stirred it up in the first place... :whistle: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest shanemk Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 I don't see why anyone would sacrifice knowledge for the sake of peace. Especially seeing how once we have enough knowledge we will be able to enforce peace more efficiently than we are now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mireia Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 I live in Catalonia and i know Andorra very well. I would NEVER recomend anyone to go and live there. It's a very quiet place, but it can be deadly boring. I know lots of people who where born there and as soon as they could they have moved to Catalonia. you feel really isolated there, and on winter is completely crazy, prizes go terribly high beacuse of the tourists.... I think that you can't just choose between knowledge and peace, just find the right combination of both. This topic has been edited by a member of staff (Anime) because of a violation of the forum rules. Do not post on topics that have been inactive for more than 3 weeks. Please check your user inbox to see if you have been contacted regarding this incident, then review our rules. Per the reason above, this topic has been LOCKED. Please contact Anime if you have any questions regarding this action. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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