Is ignorance bliss?

Before I start this criticism I should make a confession, which doesn't serve as a defense, but rather my own understanding of how it could happen. As before I was a journalism student I will admit freely, I was unaware of popular news topics and found myself questioning others in conversation when popular news topics were brought up, however once I started this course my interest in news was sparked. But before I found that or thought the news wasn't relevant to me and I was fairly content to be ignorant.

I bring this up as the other day I was discussing an issue I found to be personally worrying, Swine Flu, to an English student who I also share lectures with, and to my horror she had no idea what I was talking about. Now it is important to remember that at the time the crisis level ranging from one to six was at level five and there were fifty three cases, constantly increasing in the UK, and this girl still had no idea. This made me question whether it is better to be ignorant, or knowledgeable? As I am following the reports of this topic and as a hypochondriac worrying myself about it, when my friend is strolling around ignorant of the problem and carefree.

Therefore although it is important to know what is going on in the world, does the media make things worse by emphasizing a problem too much? As u need to consider whether all this knowledge eases your mind, which for me personally it doesn't, or if you are content with simply not knowing, because it preserves your ideal image of the world and your peace of mind before you lay down to rest. Is knowledge a gift or a curse? I say curse.