<p>Can knowledge be a burden rather than a benefit?</p>
<p>Our understanding of the universe is the sum of all human knowledge. Knowledge and understanding bring a myriad of benefits to our society, and are incontrovertibly crucial in allowing us to advance as a civilization. It is with more expansive thought and ideas that the human race is able to solve the multitude of problems that uncircumstantially arise throughout time.</p>
<p>Rachel Carson is one woman who used her knowledge to improve the safety of the common public. Aware of the dangers of the industrial use of DDT, Carson decried agricultural use by corporations and demanded its removal from all food creation. By publishing a book that became very prevalent in society, Carson was able to share her knowledge and helped to prevent the health issues that would raise from DDT. Without her knowledge, many people would have gotten sick. As shown, knowledge is a very important asset that can help society by understanding what we use in our food. Even today, Carson’s ideas and thoughts have been manifested in the environmentalist movement, which is crucial in helping to protect the earth and its inhabitants.</p>
<p>Knowledge is also important in fields of science. Recently, scientists have revealed a discovery that has rocked the world of theoretical physics: neutrinos travel faster than the speed of light. This information is extremely important because it has the potential to change everything we know and understand about Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity. The significance of this discovery stems from the discoverer’s request for laboratories across the world to attempt to challenge the results. The scientists understand the importance of collaboration, and wish for the knowledge to be shared by all. Pragmatically, they desire for the results to be debunked because knowledge and understanding is always changing. Regardless, this knowledge can greatly benefit our world by giving us a new perspective of the physical particles behind every day things.</p>
<p>The importance of knowledge is not limited to reality; knowledge is also of great importance in literature. In George Orwell’s novel, 1984, Winston Smith is aware of the fallacies that the totalitarian government spreads through propaganda. He uses this knowledge to lead private rebellion against the oppressive regime, in hopes of benefiting future generations. His knowledge of the inner workings of the government allows him to stay under the radar, and even meet with an accomplice who assists him in his endeavors. Contrastingly, to the detriment of the populace, the government censors, bowdlerizes, and destroys data to benefit itself. This lack of spread of knowledge and information leads to cultural stagnation and a dearth of innovation.</p>
<p>Knowledge is extremely important for the benefit of society. It allows the public to understand dangers and helps spread awareness, as seen by Rachel Carson. It can also help us to better understand the world we live in and advance our theories. Removal of knowledge can destroy a society forever, evidenced by Orwell’s dystopian prediction of the future.</p>