Hobbits

I have to shake my head sometimes when I see how so many people on this site deliberately keep themselves ignorant to what is happening in the world. They're afraid of getting out of their comfort zone in search of the truth.

They remind me of the hobbits in the Shire.

I say this in reference to web sites like Al Jazeera English. When the Egyptian revolution was happening, they were the only ones actually down on the street reporting the news while American news carried insipid rhetoric by our leaders who, when the outcome was in doubt, would go no further than to urge restraint, and only after if had become a fait accompli did they jump on the bandwagon and attempt to give the impression that they somehow had something to do with the final outcome.

If all of the people who are unhappy with our political system are looking for someone to blame, they need to go no further than their mirror. They're looking at the reason right there.

Self imposed ignorance is the bane of democracy and the friend of tyrants everywhere.

reply to post by upstairsjim


Didn't you know? Ignorance is bliss for most!

Ya Know you are spot on! My mother and sister are just like the hobbits when it comes to politiacs and over all ignorance of how the system works. Nice analogy!

To quote Bilbo

Hobbits have been living and farming in the four Farthings of the Shire for many hundreds of years, quite content to ignore and be ignored by the world of the Big Folk. Middle-earth being, after all, full of strange creatures beyond count, Hobbits must seem of little importance, being neither renowned as great warriors nor counted among the very wise... In fact, it has been remarked by some that Hobbits' only real passion is for food. A rather unfair observation, as we have also developed a keen interest in the brewing of ales and the smoking of pipe-weed. But where our hearts truly lie is in peace and quiet and good, tilled earth. For all hobbits share a love for things that grow. And, yes, no doubt to others, our ways seem quaint. But today of all days, it is brought home to me: It is no bad thing to celebrate a simple life.

Since I retired, I go to the city once a month to buy supplies and go out a few times a month to visit neighbors for coffee and to catch up but even though I try to keep up, mostly via ATS and a few other sites, I prefer Bilbo's simple life philosophy.

reply to post by Realms


I have a friend who told me that. She was very happy not knowing some things. And I find no fault with that. It's just that I seem to have this gene that has got to know....aaahhhh....maybe I'll take a bliss break :-)

reply to post by Bramble Iceshimmer


Amen, brother.

The rest of this reply is in deference to the powers that be on this site, knowing full well that they don't like short, one line answers.

aaahhhhh......I like obeying the law.

I would prefer we live in a world where we didn't have to know, where we could just be at peace and not have to think about issues like war and financial problems and slavery and the like, but unfortunately, there is too much happening for us to be like Bilbo. Too many people try to be like him because they think if they don't pay attention then the world will just leave them alone, and many people don't want to feel responsible for the state of the world. But standing by and doing nothing while putting our head in the sand is worse than being one of the people who are making life hard...

(Also, I'll be honest, I thought this thread was going to be a conspiracy about how hobbits actually exist lol. This is more realistic )

reply to post by upstairsjim


Hobbits saved the World................

reply to post by Rockpuck




Only because they 'decided' to do things in the most difficult way possible...

reply to post by The_Phantom


hahaha .. as a LOTR fan I find that hysterical..

reply to post by The_Phantom


Well, your video is completely off the subject but it does have hobbits in it, so I guess there's a connection somewhere. It is very funny.

aaahhhh......could it be a prime example of self imposed ignorance ? I think you did it ! It's the old hi-jack the subject gambit. Well done ! You scored with that one.

reply to post by upstairsjim


Shouldn't diss the Hobbits.. now you've learned your lesson.

Next time.. make fun of the Elves, no one cares about them. Picking on Hobbits.. just mean..