<p>Topic: can knowledge be a burden rather than a benefit?
Within our society, knowledge is a characteristic that is greatly desired and valued. However the same knowledge can be a heavy burden rather than a benefit. Often times throughout history this has been the case. J. Robert Oppenheimer, Woodrow Wilson, and results due to the media are only some of the plethora of examples that exist. </p>
<p>J. Robert Oppenheimer, an American physicist, is most famously known for his participation in the Manhattan Project otherwise known as the project to create the atomic bomb. The invention of the atomic bomb was an astounding feat; one that would have never been predicted at the time. For it, Oppenheimer was praised as a genius. However, after the atomic bomb was out into use against innocent citizens in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Oppenheimer began to regret ever creating it. Even more so after he saw the after effects caused by the radiation. He stated, "Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds." To this extent did he see his knowledge as a burden. He believed that he had misused his knowledge of physics and caused graves and irreversible consequences. Oppenheimer's invention had opened the way into the nuclear age.</p>
<p>The president at the time of World War I was another brilliant man like Oppenheimer, Woodrow Wilson. When the war against the Axis powers finally drew to an end, Wilson came up with a plan to prevent any more wars in the future. His plan consisted of the Fourteen Points and the Allied power's participation in the League of Nations. All of the Allied. Powers submitted to his plan except, ironically, the United States itself. The reason being -- the dislike of involving itself in foreign matters. Wilson must have been immensely frustrated. He knew all the answers yet due to the ignorance of the congress men surrounding him prevented him from putting it into effect. To him, knowledge was a burden because although he had a plan he did not have the necessary power to make it happen.</p>
<p>The media is a strong source of publicity where the public obtains most of its knowledge from. The publicity can be both beneficial as well as detrimental. When anyone has anything considered newsworthy the media will make sure to make it known to the world. However, this is also a negative thing as almost nothing can be hidden from the media. As a result, personal lives are pried into and secrets that one would never want to be revealed are exposed. The media is especially a great burden to celebrities as some have even suicided due to their personal lives being revealed. </p>
<p>Although knowledge is essential in this world but at many instances it can also be burdensome and problematic. Careless use of knowledge resulted in creating a weapon of mass destruction. While Wilson although he had the knowledge could not put it to use. And many today are burdened by the knowledge that the media has exposed about them. Knowledge can be a great burden in innumerable ways.</p>