This is something that I've been thinking about for a long time and "We Happy Few" brought it up in an interesting way.

"To calm their anguish and guilt - and forget what they’d done - the Wellies invented a miracle happy drug they called Joy" (quote from the wiki)
The people in We Happy Few take these joy pills every day, and they all live happily ever after. If someone rejects the pill, they start seeing the world as it is (like the pinata in the trailer) and start having emotions other than pure happiness. They are called "downers" and are hunted down and forced to take the pill.

Now this is obviously a very extreme situation, but imagine if we had something similar to this. It could be, but it doesn't have to be a drug. It could be a very comforting mental state or a special world view that is just, great and awesome. I haven't tried it myself, but maybe something like smoking weed every day, a lot - existing in a high constantly. With no health issues, ofc.

Is it ok to sacrifice the "harsh reality", if we can all live in ignorant bliss? I'm assuming that whatever method is used, the world still functions as normal (well, normal enough). If we just envelop ourselves in lies to remove everything that is scary and evil, and instead only see good and happy things. Is it worth it? Also, what if you decide to face reality, but your family and friends want to live the lie (or the other way around). How do you handle that? Would you try to convince them to join "your" side?

I want say "Face reality!" every single time. But I can't quite justify it, if everyone is actually happy. I just don't know :o

Discuss!

Happy reality. To find hope and joy in this challenging world is surprisingly possible.

Until this last few weeks, I'd have said reality. But after one of my local MPs being murdered in cold blood, and seeing the opposite side claiming it as an "I told you so!" moment, I think bliss ignorance is probably the only way to avoid needing anti depressants.

Reality.

"Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away"
Philip K.

If you could go to some sort of dream world where you can be and do whatever you want sorta like in the Matrix, then hell yes, sign me up! There's literally no negatives to that, only infinite pros. Even if you're extremely lucky reality still has a ridiculous amount of downsides with no advantages to make up for them. Happy ignorance is the only logical choice!

One extreme over the other isn't ideal ...

You need both. I'm sure almost everyone has experienced the two most important feelings towards this subject both of which are denial and hope ...

Along with the reality we live in it also contains false information relative to one's perception ...

Pure ignorance doesn't tell us the right answers but the cold reality really kills our ambition ...

How about happy reality and sad ignorance.

Both the red pill and the blue pill.

I'll stay in the matrix, thank you.

my favourite bit of the ps4 reveal vid couple of years ago was writing at the start that said something along the lines of imagination is are only weapon in the war against reality but in order to win we don't have to fight but play. yet the person who has inspired me most in this world has said that when it comes down to solutions we should apply first principles (basically the facts of the situation). I think there is an importance in both we shouldn't be fixed on something because it is the way things are done but providing alternatives because we refuse to accept what is can potentially offer solutions that would not be thought of otherwise. more so when we work with others.

I wouldn't take the drug though its hard to solve problems if you can't see them while imagination helps cold logic can also be useful. sadly i recently got all of arcadia killed in fallout 4: far harbour with such ideas.