A Commonplace Book

Plato: In that period it was believed that people should know of events far away, whether real or imagined.
Sidonia: Presumably this afforded them great benefits.
Plato: On the contrary. None at all. In fact it led to anxiety and bewilderment. But they persisted in belief that it was necessary for them to suffer in these ways.

Plato: It seems that they wished to learn of wars and murders; every kind of violation or despoilation delighted them. Information taught them to dissemble their pleasure, however, and in its service to retain an enquiring or sober countenance Nevertheless they dwelled lovingly upon death and suffering.... [T]hey simply seemed to amuse themselves by reading about the misfortunes of others. This was the essential principle of information.