Avionics News August 2013 - 4

Is Ignorance Bliss?
B

enjamin Franklin once said, “Being ignorant
This concept is called “motivated reasoning.”
is not so much a shame, as being unwilling
There is extensive psychological research showing
to learn.”
that people tend to interpret information with a
I have always been a person to ask why, dig
mindset toward reinforcing their pre-existing views.
deeper, explore opportunities and not accept no for
If we believe something about the world, we are
an answer. The older I get, the more opinionated I
more likely to accept information that confirms our
become, and I have noticed how little my filter is
beliefs as truth and dismiss information that doesn’t.
applied. However, this has never stopped my quest
In 1918, Bertrand Russell, a British philosopher,
for knowledge.
wrote, “If a man is offered a fact which goes against
I am fascinated at what I call the
his instincts, he will scrutinize it closely,
“sound-bite” society. Some people just
and unless the evidence is overwhelming,
choose to be uninformed. They don’t have
he will refuse to believe it. If, on the other
time to learn or maybe simply do not care.
hand, he is offered something which affords
Perhaps they listen to the news, watch a
a reason for acting in accordance to his
political comedy show, read the headlines
instincts, he will accept it even on the
or scroll through an online newspaper,
slightest evidence.”
but do they really read the article or dive
This may give a whole new meaning to
deeper when questioning a topic?
former U.S. President John F. Kennedy’s
Jeanne RauFlattery
James Madison, the fourth president
statement, “The greater our knowledge
of the U.S., once said, “Knowledge will
increases the more our ignorance unfolds.”
forever govern ignorance; and a people
Personally, I find there to be a theory
who mean to be their own governors must arm
of ignorance especially related to political issues,
themselves with the power which knowledge gives.”
which are difficult to resolve due to insufficient
So is it not true that if people are furnished with
information and/or because different people have
the facts, they will be brighter thinkers? If they
different information available to them. If everyone
are ignorant, will facts enlighten them? If they are
had adequate factual knowledge, would most political
uninformed, will facts set them straight? If they have
disputes be resolved?
facts, will they not find truth?
It could be argued that many political points are
In search of answers, a few scientists discovered a
inherently challenging due to their complexity or
human tendency where facts do not necessarily have
abstractness. There could be miscalculation issues
the power to change minds. This was particularly
with complex mathematical equations. Depending
true concerning political beliefs. Researchers at the
on how the equation is expressed, there could be
University of Michigan found that when misinformed
more than one solution. People could have divergent
people were exposed to corrected facts in news stories, fundamental values that cause moral or evaluative
they rarely changed their minds. The facts did not
differences. Or possibly the best explanation is
cure the misinformation but instead reinforced their
people are just irrational when it comes to politics.
personal set of beliefs. I was deeply discouraged by
this, since I have faith in the power of information.
Continued on page 65

4

avionics news

•

august 2013
august 2013



Avionics News August 2013

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Avionics News August 2013

Point of Communication
AEA Now
The View From Washington
International News and Regulatory Updates
Equipped Like New
Member Profile
Measured Growth and AEA Membership
Avionics News Through the Years
Should an iPad be in Your Toolbox?
AEAviators
A Conversation With...
Member Profile
Before & After
Meet the AEA Board of Directors
Seven Habits of Effective Avionics Dealers
Business Basics
Higher Education Leads to Rewarding Career in Avionics
NextGen Plan Highlights General Aviation Role
Legal Ease
AEA Announces Scholarship Winners for 2013-14
AEA Educational Foundation Scholarship List for 2014-15 Academic Year
What's New
Marketplace Classifieds
Avionics News August 2013 - Intro
Avionics News August 2013 - Cover1
Avionics News August 2013 - Cover2
Avionics News August 2013 - 1
Avionics News August 2013 - 2
Avionics News August 2013 - 3
Avionics News August 2013 - Point of Communication
Avionics News August 2013 - 5
Avionics News August 2013 - AEA Now
Avionics News August 2013 - 7
Avionics News August 2013 - 8
Avionics News August 2013 - 9
Avionics News August 2013 - 10
Avionics News August 2013 - 11
Avionics News August 2013 - 12
Avionics News August 2013 - 13
Avionics News August 2013 - The View From Washington
Avionics News August 2013 - 15
Avionics News August 2013 - International News and Regulatory Updates
Avionics News August 2013 - 17
Avionics News August 2013 - 18
Avionics News August 2013 - 19
Avionics News August 2013 - Equipped Like New
Avionics News August 2013 - 21
Avionics News August 2013 - 22
Avionics News August 2013 - 23
Avionics News August 2013 - Member Profile
Avionics News August 2013 - 25
Avionics News August 2013 - 26
Avionics News August 2013 - 27
Avionics News August 2013 - Measured Growth and AEA Membership
Avionics News August 2013 - 29
Avionics News August 2013 - 30
Avionics News August 2013 - 31
Avionics News August 2013 - 32
Avionics News August 2013 - 33
Avionics News August 2013 - Avionics News Through the Years
Avionics News August 2013 - 35
Avionics News August 2013 - Should an iPad be in Your Toolbox?
Avionics News August 2013 - 37
Avionics News August 2013 - 38
Avionics News August 2013 - 39
Avionics News August 2013 - AEAviators
Avionics News August 2013 - 41
Avionics News August 2013 - A Conversation With...
Avionics News August 2013 - 43
Avionics News August 2013 - Member Profile
Avionics News August 2013 - 45
Avionics News August 2013 - 46
Avionics News August 2013 - Before & After
Avionics News August 2013 - Meet the AEA Board of Directors
Avionics News August 2013 - 49
Avionics News August 2013 - 50
Avionics News August 2013 - 51
Avionics News August 2013 - Seven Habits of Effective Avionics Dealers
Avionics News August 2013 - 53
Avionics News August 2013 - 54
Avionics News August 2013 - 55
Avionics News August 2013 - Business Basics
Avionics News August 2013 - 57
Avionics News August 2013 - 58
Avionics News August 2013 - 59
Avionics News August 2013 - Legal Ease
Avionics News August 2013 - 61
Avionics News August 2013 - NextGen Plan Highlights General Aviation Role
Avionics News August 2013 - 63
Avionics News August 2013 - 64
Avionics News August 2013 - 65
Avionics News August 2013 - 66
Avionics News August 2013 - 67
Avionics News August 2013 - AEA Announces Scholarship Winners for 2013-14
Avionics News August 2013 - 69
Avionics News August 2013 - 70
Avionics News August 2013 - 71
Avionics News August 2013 - AEA Educational Foundation Scholarship List for 2014-15 Academic Year
Avionics News August 2013 - 73
Avionics News August 2013 - What's New
Avionics News August 2013 - 75
Avionics News August 2013 - 76
Avionics News August 2013 - 77
Avionics News August 2013 - Marketplace Classifieds
Avionics News August 2013 - 79
Avionics News August 2013 - 80
Avionics News August 2013 - Cover3
Avionics News August 2013 - Cover4
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/60-10
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/60-9
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/60-8
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/60-7
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/60-6
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/60-5
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/60-4
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/60-3
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/60-2
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/60-1
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/59-12
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/59-11
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/59-10
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/59-9
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/59-8
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/59-7
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/59-6
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/59-5
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/59-4
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/59-3
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/59-2
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/59-1
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/58-12
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/58-11
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/58-10
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/58-9
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/58-8
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/58-7
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/58-6
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/58-5
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/58-4
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/58-3
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/58-2
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/58-1
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/57-12
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/57-11
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/57-10
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/57-9
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/57-8
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/57-7
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/57-6
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/57-5
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/57-4
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/57-3
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/57-2
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/57-1
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/56-12
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/56-11
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/56-10
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/56-9
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/56-8
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/56-7
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/56-6
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/56-5
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/56-4
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/56-3
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/56-2
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/56-1
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/55-12
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/55-11
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/55-10
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/55-9
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/55-8
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/55-7
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/55-6
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/55-5
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/55-4
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/55-3
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/55-02
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/55-01
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/54-12
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/54-11
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/54-10
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/54-9
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/54-8
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/54-7
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/54-6
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/54-5
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/54-4
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/54-3
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/54-2
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/54-1
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/53-12
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/53-11
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/53-10
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/53-9
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/53-8
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/53-7
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/53-6
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/53-5
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/53-4
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/53-3
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/53-2
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/53-1
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/52-12
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/52-11
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/52-10
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/52-9
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/avne/52-8
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/52-7
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/52-6
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/52-5
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/52-4
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/52-3
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/52-2
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/52-1
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/51-12
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/51-11
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/51-10
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/51-9
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/51-8
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/51-7
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/51-6
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/51-5
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/51-4
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/51-3
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/51-2
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/51-1
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/50-12
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/50-11
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/50-10
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/50-9
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/50-8
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/50-7
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/50-6
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/50-5
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/50-4
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/50-3
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/50-2
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/50-1
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/49-12
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/49-11
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/49-10
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/49-9
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/49-8
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/49-7
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/49-6
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/49-5
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/49-4
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/49-3
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/49-2
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/49-1
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/48-12
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/avne/48-11
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com