Does it matter if our acquisition of knowledge happens in “bubbles” where some information and voices are excluded? Discuss with reference to two areas of knowledge.
A ‘bubble‘ refers to a filtration mechanism to selectively retain knowledge that denizens of the bubble concur with, discarding what is refuted by them. It is a universal stipulatory norm that knowledge acquisition is a lifelong process, by virtue of its being innately inexhaustible, resulting in the inevitable formation of knowledge bubbles of varying depth and validity which excludes some information and voices. However, knowledge acquisition beyond the realm of the bubble is contingent on myriad factors including one’s inclination, education, acumen, perception, social conditioning, beliefs, culture and value-system among other determinants, establishing implicitly the subjectivity of knowledge as whole. This ensures the existence of bubbles in one’s quest for knowledge. ‘Confirmation bias’ relates to a psychological phenomenon which results in an individuals’ propensity to decode and favour information that is congruent with one’s existing values and beliefs. It is this very ‘confirmation bias’ which results in buttressing knowledge bubbles. Therefore, I hereby affirm my stance that knowledge bubbles are inextricable in context with acquisition of knowledge and they are in fact most likely to inhibit or impede the acquisition of knowledge. To provide clarity to my stance, I am referring to the Areas of Knowledge – History and Arts.
My stance is bolstered by the historical events that culminated in the inhumane, repugnant atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, on August 6, 1945. The aforementioned bombs were detonated above the airspace of Hiroshima & Nagasaki by the US air force on the instruction of President Harry Truman, post the demise of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.In particular, it is Albert Einstein’s rationale behind the inception of against Japan in 1945 that corroborates the contemplation that bubbles can soar knowledge acquisition as even though not directly. In intents and purposes, Einstein was the father of the bomb in two mechanisms: firstly, since he initiated American bomb development, and subsequently, as his equation made the atomic weapons theoretically viable. Given that he did not intend for bombs to be detonated, Einstein acknowledged himself to be a pacifist. Three months after Germany surrendered, Japan was bombarded with atomic bombs. Einstein had advocated for the deployment of an a-bomb for the Allies along with Germany’s flair to constitute a Nazi a-bomb. Until a year later, Einstein did not speak out in public about the atomic bombing of Japan. “I have always denounced the use of the atomic bomb against Japan”, Einstein ultimately proclaimed.
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