I think that this quote is interesting mainly because if true, it implies that if one where to live in a utopia with no problems there may very well be no thought whatsoever. Stepping back though, it is most certainly an idea that makes sense. The majority of the time an issue such as poverty goes unnoticed until it is right on our doorstep and we are forced to "confront" it. It is then that we think, and drawing from the quote at the beginning of the year, thinking is action. That said, issues such as global warming will probably receive a great deal more attention when the consequences are having a huge negative impact on our lives. Human beings may be constantly changing, but we seem to have a difficult time grasping the long term, often passing off problems onto the next generation.
We are very much a "here and now" society, which means small changes that would benefit the long run are often thrown to the wayside in favour of instant gratification. This quote demonstrates this by saying we only truly think when a problem is unavoidable.
As for why think at all, it helps us solves the problems we are confronted with, improve, helps us become better humans/people, enlightenment, self-actualization, survival, we're told to and/or for happiness.
These last three are quite interesting and tie into the Maslo Heirarchy of Needs, especially when we ask ourselves the question "What makes us Happy?"
Really quickly, this pyramid created by Abraham Maslo is, as the name suggests, all about establishing the needs of people. Basically as we fulfill each level of the pyramid we move up, however the second one of the lower levels of the pyramid becomes unsatisfied (exp. the need for food and water) we fall back down the pyramid. Moving up the pyramid is tied to becoming... enlightened I'd suppose you'd say, perhaps even pursuing Being. The lower levels of the pyramid however are tied to basic instinctual needs. As those are fulfilled we may pursue higher levels of need.
Bringing this back to the relationship between thought and problems, it makes complete sense in the human mind to postpone thought on certain issues until they are unavoidable. The simple reason is out of sight, out of mind. It's much easier and less stressful to simply dismiss a plight that doesn't appear to be linked to our own. Part of this may be attributed to a lack of information about the issue, but perhaps something more. If one were to awake each morning to the harsh problems in various locations around the world it would be a quite depressing existence, especially since many of them would require a high level of thought to come to any sort of solution. When they aren't hurdles we feel relate to our own existence we don't see the point in trying to force our way over them when we can just sidestep the matter entirely.
In the film "Hotel Rwanda", the following dialogue ensues regarding footage of the genocide,
Paul Rusesabagina: I am glad that you have shot this footage and that the world will see it. It is the only way we have a chance that people might intervene.
Jack: Yeah and if no one intervenes, is it still a good thing to show? Paul Rusesabagina: How can they not intervene when they witness such atrocities?
Jack: I think if people see this footage they'll say, "oh my God that's horrible," and then go on eating their dinners.
It's malicious, disgusting and completely true. Though information is available at the push of the button, we are bombarded by so many issues that they just become white noise to us. There are exceptions to the rule of course, but, unless a problem connects to us on a personal level it is often dismissed. Why trouble yourself with sadness when it's easier to forget? That said, unavoidable problems are actually beneficial to thought because they force thought, action, solutions, while simultaneous benefiting the individual through their thought.
Never stop thinking.
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