We are the world?

It has always fascinated me that people from different places and communities have a set of ideas and perceptions typical to their immediate environment and yet, each one is so unique.

We, the people, are influenced continuously by our immediate surroundings and the pick up and interpret information that comes to us in any way. By the time we are at the age of 5, we have formed all our opinions and have developed our fixed ideas. Very few people have the ability to later allow for any adjustment or conversion of any idea.

It always strikes me funny that 'idea', which is such a freedom inspiring and radical word, can be trapped by people and converted in to a fixed entity. Why can we not start listening for a change? I have found it difficult to see 2 or a group of people having a conversation in which anyone is actually listening to what the other person is saying.

The moment a person utters a word, immediately the other has formed the next sentence that s/he will speak in reply. So actually, people are just being polite to each other...they wait for the other to complete the sentence so that they can put in their opinions. In reality, no one is listening, everyone wants to talk. Talk about what? Talk about themselves! Therefore, the psychiatrists' couches see more and people lying down on them who come there to unburden themselves.

Why is no one listening? Because no one sees any point in listening...after all, they have their own fixed ideas which they staunchly believe to be true. Now, what is the point in understanding anybody else's POV (point of view)? There is nothing to be gained out of it. "I already know everything that there is to know!" This all-knowing attitude later leads not only to lack of communication, but also to arrogance, bloated ego and therefore, war among nations!

So is knowledge the root of all evils? Is ignorance really bliss? Does this mean a person who
'know-it-all' is responsible? Then who is responsible for putting that idea in his/her head?