Response to Assignment #1

Albert Knox, the philosopher, explains to Sophie that, quote, "It seems as if in
the process of growing up we lose the ability to wonder about the world." Knox is
saying that as we become adults, we lose interest about everything around us.
In my opinion, I agree with his statement, but only to a certain extent.
Generations of countless amount of people, famous or not, have put in a lot of
thought into why things are they way they are, but that obviously does not mean they have
"lost interest". Knox, himself, is a grown man, an yet he still wonders and asks
questions about the world. 

Yes, in some ways we do take things for granted because as we get older, rather
of thinking about life, we lose focus, constantly thinking about how to get through
it instead. It just seems that nowadays people agree that there are more "important"
things to worry about than to think about "life", such as money making. There is and
probably will always be the thought of how to gain more money in order to live "life".
Starting off at primary school, we are always taught black and white, what was right
and what was wrong. As time passes by, stories that we have believed in ever since
we were children begin to fade and that everything we believe in must have some proof.
I still remember the day when my older brother told me that Santa Claus never existed.
He proved his point by stating the fact that we lived in high rises that don't have
chimney's and asked me "how do the presents get in if the windows are always closed?"
Given that some thought, it really killed me.
Entering into high school, time becomes everything. We are constantly trying
to finish off that last essay late night after coming home from our busy schedules
of extra-curricular activities and tutoring sessions. Today, we simply just do not
have the time to sit there and ask questions about humans, and why we exist.

Then, there is the case where we never do actually lose the ability to wonder.
It is because as adults, we already know by experience, what happens if we get cuts
or touch something hot. Therefore adults and children have different reactions towards
things. Adults are not "enthused" when we see a "dog", but children are, because being
new to the world, they have never seen anything like it.
The list is endless when it comes to people, who are adults, and have contributed in
stretching the limits with their imagination. For example, the Apple company and their
invention of the ipod which revolutionized the music and technology industry. Before
becoming a household name, they obviously had to wonder about different things for
them to be where they are now. And scientists, almost all of them were adults when
they came up with new ideas or inventions, because they all had the "ability to wonder".

To conclude, I believe that no matter what age you are, we never "lose their ability
to wonder about the world". I believe Knox actually contradicts himself.
I also think it depends on the person, we are all given the power to wonder, but
the way we express is different. Some like to share their imagination, others
may like to keep it to themselves.