What do you think this phrase means?

Question

"But if we ignore what we're doing, we do so at our own peril."

Intuitive responses prefered. I heard this phrase under rather strange circumstances. I'm wondering what others would make of it.

Answer 1

It is basically the scientific version of "look before you leap".

Meaning, If we do not take into account the future consequences of our actions, or lack of actions, scientific breakthroughs, etc. It may come back to bite us in the butt.

A good modern example would be genetics and how scientists brought back and created to Spanish Flu that killed after world war one to study. It was gone from the planet till they brought it back. Why? What is during the study, get gets out of control and mutates into something that can kill off humanity or the government stick there noses in and wants something more potent using the flu virus as a template and you get a traitor who sells it or again it mutates and gets loose. Or in the creation of genetically made crops. What if there is an unseen side affect, and it could have disastrous consequences. So, that is what the phrase means and those are some modern day examples. I hope it helps.

Answer 2

I think it means that we must consider all possible consequences of our actions.

It's out of context, but that is the first meaning that strikes me.

Answer 3

It means you should be wise and understand the consequences of what you do.

Answer 4

It means that if the Human Race continues with the Folly of plodding along aimlessly, doing things as we are,  we shall Reap the Harvest of our own Complacency.

We are doing a rather dubious job of being stewards of the planet, and of our Youth...so we shall receive the "reward"  of that complacency.

Answer 5

TO ME THIS IS THE FEELING I GOT FROM IT...

IT WOULD BE LIKE THIS EXAMPLE:

IF WE IGNORE WHAT WE'RE DOING:......

LETS AS       [ USING A CIRCULAR SAW]

WE DO SO AT OUR OWN PERIL.

IF YOU DON'T PAY ATTENTION   [ YOU MIGHT MIGHT CUT YOUR FINGERS OFF!! ]

SIMPLE EXAMPLE , BUT GIVES A VISUAL..

THERE IS AN EQUAL AN OPPOSITE REACTION...

TO ANYTHING AN EVERYTHING WE DO....

THERE IS A CONSEQUENCE TO YOUR  ACTIONS

TYPE OF THING...

I HOPE I KINDA EXPLAIN IT  OK...

RESPECTFULLY

SILVERWOLFWON

AKA

MOM

Answer 6

It is basically the scientific version of "look before you leap".

Meaning, If we do not take into account the future consequences of our actions, or lack of actions, scientific breakthroughs, etc. It may come back to bite us in the butt.

A good modern example would be genetics and how scientists brought back and created to Spanish Flu that killed after world war one to study. It was gone from the planet till they brought it back. Why? What is during the study, get gets out of control and mutates into something that can kill off humanity or the government stick there noses in and wants something more potent using the flu virus as a template and you get a traitor who sells it or again it mutates and gets loose. Or in the creation of genetically made crops. What if there is an unseen side affect, and it could have disastrous consequences. So, that is what the phrase means and those are some modern day examples. I hope it helps

Answer 7

I think it essentially means we fail to predetermine or predict, or even plan for  the effects of the things that we do in life...

Answer 8

I think it means that if we as a society or as an individual do not pay attention to the state of things around us (our relationships with others, our environment, etc. etc) that our own apathy will lead to suffering.

Answer 9

If we continue to be superstitious and grasp at silliness.We run the risk of appearing very ignorant.Not to mention falling back into the Dark Ages.Something we can see happening in other parts of the world even now.

Answer 10

The vast majority of humans go through life by instinct/ on autopilot. In the short run this is fine, in the long run all the little things turn into big things and the sh*t hits the fan

Answer 11

For every action there is an equal reaction, thus if we ignore what we are doing, we put aside the consciousness of it.

This can bring about unpleasant reactions.

A simple example , You go to the store and steal an item, you ignore what you are doing, ie knwoing it is wrong yet still do it, well you get caught and the reaction is not pleasant,

Another is when you are going to do something and your intuition gets very strong guiding you away and you ignore the gut insinct, it will have negative consequencses.

I hope this helps to clarify it a bit.