Once you know a thing, it's impossible to unknow it.

Coming into a greater awareness of how we interact with the planet and our fellow humans can be a long process. We don't suddenly aquire new concepts and ways of looking at things. We transform gradually, one realization at a time.

Yet even the smallest seeming pieces of knowledge can change the way we see, and how we feel. The tricky thing about knowledge is: Once you acquire it, you're stuck with it. It's simply not an option to go back to where you were before you had it.

For example:
I recently learned that keeping a cell phone charger plugged in is a tremendous waste of energy. It's basically just sucking energy out and not putting in anywhere -- a one-way, resource-depleting dead end.

Yet many of us engage in this practice every day, without realizing there's anything wrong with it. Now that I know how wasteful it is, every time I see a phone charger dangling out of an outlet, I am compelled to unplug it, even if it's not mine!

What's something you know that you can't unknow? What's one discovery you've made that has changed the way you look at things, and even changed your behavior?

Share your thoughts!

Tags: energy, knowledge

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Permalink Reply by Aaron Strickland on January 28, 2010 at 5:12pm

About 3 years ago I was introduced to the idea of 2012. I began researching and learning. While I don't know what will happen. I do know that something will happen. Be it the end of the world, or just a cerebral awakening for the species as a whole. Good or bad it's coming. Since then I have lived my life differently. I don't worry about the small things. I try to help anyone I can, and I meet everyone I can. Life is all about connection between individuals. Whether that connection comes from conversation or action. Knowing that 2012 is coming, and not knowing what it has in store for us has enabled me to live in the moment. Enjoying all experiences that come my way. Now I am out to make a change.

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Permalink Reply by Amazed on February 1, 2010 at 5:34pm

I've learned a lot lately, but the thing that affects me most is having to use different toothpaste now knowing that conventional toothpase contains sugar and neurotoxins disguised as flouride lol.

Joking aside, I've began to learn about who I am and this is most definately impossible to unlearn. It has changed most everything about me. I care, I watch, I help others, I cry for others, but most importantly I've learned fear is not there. It just simply does not exist.

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Permalink Reply by Trevor Dowling on March 8, 2010 at 10:28pm

Everything I have learned has changed my way of thinking, but not always my actions. Unfortunately, while we cannot unknow, as people we have a vast capability to turn a blind eye to the things we have learned. It is the line between ignorance and indifference that is truly important. We can still know and be indifferent, and I can only imagine the psychological toll we pay for this every day, even without conscious realization. One thing I can say is I've developed a strong aversion to brand names as a result of movies such as "The Corporation" and "Food Inc." I still turn a blind eye in some cases, because most of my shopping is done for me, but I try to make my brand allergy known.

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Permalink Reply by Salient Skivvy on March 12, 2010 at 7:39pm

One of the earliest realizations for me was when I was young, maybe 7 or so; reading a book about endangered and extinct animals.
Almost every animal in the book was in that state due to humans. Habitat loss, hunting, foreign species introduced to their environment. Knowing that amazing animals like the snow leopard and the tiger will be gone forever before Im old.

Learning about the rainforest and how many species exist; and the rate that it is being cut down was heartbreaking.
The destruction that mankind has plagued this planet made me a very jaded child towards humanity.

..And it was already mentioned by Zachariah, the fact that styrofoam and plastic isn't biodegradable.