<p>Can you please grade this essay out of 12 and offer a critique on it? Thanks!</p>
<p>Can knowledge be a burden rather than a benefit? </p>
<p>Knowledge is a fickle idea. The quest for it has controlled the lives of millions of people, but the acquisition of knowledge has frequently brought with it a downside.</p>
<p>Knowledge has historically been something that occasionally causes harm to an individual. For example, in the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare. Macbeth is hypnotized by the knowledge that he will gain the throne. The prophecy imparted to him by the witches included the outline of his future life. These facts overwhelmed Macbeth with a desire to gain what he thought was rightfully his in as quick a manner as was possible. The result was his brutal murder of Duncan, and the subsequent slayings of any person who blocked his path. The outcome of his ungainly knowledge proved to be the destruction of his emotional self, and eventually led to his overall demise and death. Had Macbeth not had this advanced intelligence, he may not have exercised his ability to harm others. The extent of his actions prove that an excess of knowledge is a thing best kept away from overly reactory individuals.</p>
<p>A modern example of the negative effects of knowledge is seen in the reaction to the recent leaks by Edward Snowden. Snowden was a contractor for the NSA, or National Security Administration. He released classified documents detailing the full extent of the internet surveillance conducted by the NSA. It was proven that the government saw fit to violate the privacy of many citizens in an effort to curb terrorism. Many would argue that the actions of Snowden were admirable, however, if you take a closer inspection, it is clear that the NSA leaks will ultimately be detrimental to the United States. These leaks led to massive unrest in the population, with many calling for the abolishment of the NSA and government surveillance as a whole. The knowledge of the breadth of the NSA operation stunned many individuals. Their reaction forced the government to curtail its activities. This only results in enormous consequences placed on the citizens of the United States. The government is now less well able to police the internet and gather valuable data on suspected terrorists. This means that there is a great increase in the risk of an attack on the United States. The knowledge imparted on the citizens by Edward Snowden has directly caused a lack of national security which subsequently harms every individual in the United States.</p>
<p>Knowledge can often be valuable, but it is inherently clear that an abundance of it, or the gaining of it at the wrong time is something to be feared. It is nessecary to receive knowledge in moderation to reduce the likelihood of experiencing the risks that often accompany it as demonstrated by the two examples.</p>