Theory of Stupidity

[Z0mBieP00Nani]

14 hours ago, Darkpig said:

Except we're already there.

Nah, we haven't hit dark age levels yet. Don't get me wrong, it's already pretty bad though.

[Grey Cloud]

10 hours ago, porkybork said:

Did you quote me quoting the other guy? How did this happen?

Apologies. I obviously didn't scroll up to the correct post. Good point about the heat waves.

 

1 hour ago, Z0mBieP00Nani said:

That was exactly the point. "Civilization" and farming has made survival easier in many ways.

Surviving what? The climate hasn't been the biggest threat in historical times.

The Inuit for example live in an extreme environment but do they churn out high IQ individuals?

 

1 hour ago, Z0mBieP00Nani said:

You used to have to scrub your clothes against a wash board, that was hard work, now you just stick them into a spinning box with water and soap, wait about an hour for the buzzer to go off, and then shove it into another spinning box full of hot air that dries them.

And that spinning box of water was designed by a whole army of people with high IQs. The same for the soap powder, electricity system and plumbing. All these and every other modern convenience are constantly being looked at by highly intelligent people trying to find ways to improve them.

 

1 hour ago, Z0mBieP00Nani said:

As far as the educational system is concerned, sure, maybe our understanding of things is better, but the methods for teaching are awful these days, in many ways, when compared to the past,

When and where in the past? When there was no education system, when the system was run by the church, when teaching was by rote?

 

1 hour ago, Z0mBieP00Nani said:

and don't get me started on the rampant political indoctrination that takes place in public schools these days

It may well in your country but that doesn't mean that it is ubiquitous.

 

1 hour ago, Z0mBieP00Nani said:

That stuff is not going to make people smarter, instead it is only there to teach them how the SHOULD think, rather than how to be objective and think critically about things.

Teaching people how to think is exactly what an education system should do; teaching them what to think is exactly what it shouldn't do.

[Darkpig]

I’ma be real. I kinda wanna change my vote. It feels like things are stupider than ever right now but then again humans have always been stupid. What we’re seeing right now is a spike in stupidity. At some point this stupidity will fade like a dumb dream. Question is when? And also how?

[Z0mBieP00Nani]

1 hour ago, Darkpig said:

I’ma be real. I kinda wanna change my vote. It feels like things are stupider than ever right now but then again humans have always been stupid. What we’re seeing right now is a spike in stupidity. At some point this stupidity will fade like a dumb dream. Question is when? And also how?

It's not going to fade any time soon, and you can thank a damaged culture, and the internet for that, and specifically social media and apps like TikTok, which have been destroying attention spans with its short form video format, and flooding the internet with nonsensical content that, in many cases, amounts to nothing more than intellectual junk food aimed at triggering a dopamine hit and not much else. This is the age of instant gratification, and these days there are plenty of ways to get exactly that.

Edited March 20, 2025 by Z0mBieP00Nani

[Grey Cloud]

Holy cliche city, Batman.

[Darkpig]

2 hours ago, Z0mBieP00Nani said:

It's not going to fade any time soon, and you can thank a damaged culture, and the internet for that, and specifically social media and apps like TikTok, which have been destroying attention spans with its short form video format, and flooding the internet with nonsensical content that, in many cases, amounts to nothing more than intellectual junk food aimed at triggering a dopamine hit and not much else. This is the age of instant gratification, and these days there are plenty of ways to get exactly that.

Tik Tok is a relatively recent thing if I remember correctly and it is a very minor issue in the grand scheme of things. As for the internet the problem truly started when a bunch of morons started watching TV and never learned to read. Although many issues far back in history were never truly resolved leading us to the Idiocracy of today. There is a lack of education and people are blatantly disregarding medicine for some poorly researched conspiracy. There is clearly a failure of leadership here and everybody is pointing fingers.

 

The older folks are pointing to the younger folks out of jealousy of being able to do shit. The younger folks are pointing to the older folks mostly out of retaliation or maybe there is some agism going on but it seems to be coming from both sides. Groups are pointing to other groups for their problems and again everybody is pointing fingers.

 

As I said before it would be great if I could change my vote. I was thinking of voting no but I doubt that will happen.

Edited March 21, 2025 by Darkpig

[Z0mBieP00Nani]

2 hours ago, Darkpig said:

The older folks are pointing to the younger folks out of jealousy of being able to do shit. The younger folks are pointing to the older folks mostly out of retaliation or maybe there is some agism going on but it seems to be coming from both sides.

 

The older folks are mad because, for some strange reason, the younger folks don't want to put 110% into a system where most of them work their ass off and can barely make enough to put food on the table and pay the bills, and I mean for the bare minimum in life ("quiet quitting", for example), or because they know they will never be able to afford a house of their own, and some of them [the older folks] are also mad at the younger generation because they refuse to bring kids into such a screwed up world, or because they can't afford it, or because some of them really are "just plain selfish".

 

The younger generation is mad at the older generation for making the financial mess they now have to live in, while acting like life is just as financially easy as it was 40 or 50 years ago, when the older folks were still younger folks, "you just aren't trying hard enough".

 

That's what the anger is over, in a nutshell, as I understand things.

[Darkpig]

1 hour ago, Z0mBieP00Nani said:

The older folks are mad because, for some strange reason, the younger folks don't want to put 110% into a system where most of them work their ass off and can barely make enough to put food on the table and pay the bills, and I mean for the bare minimum in life ("quiet quitting", for example), or because they know they will never be able to afford a house of their own, and some of them [the older folks] are also mad at the younger generation because they refuse to bring kids into such a screwed up world, or because they can't afford it, or because some of them really are "just plain selfish".

 

The younger generation is mad at the older generation for making the financial mess they now have to live in, while acting like life is just as financially easy as it was 40 or 50 years ago, when the older folks were still younger folks, "you just aren't trying hard enough".

 

That's what the anger is over, in a nutshell, as I understand things.

That sounds more or less what the conversation is about. I don't want to put blame on one entire generation or another as that would be stereotyping but maybe as generalization of what is going on it would explain a few things. I also think 110% is absurd. The only way you can give it 110% is if you cut off 10% of your buddy and carry it with you.

[Z0mBieP00Nani]

6 hours ago, Darkpig said:

That sounds more or less what the conversation is about. I don't want to put blame on one entire generation or another as that would be stereotyping but maybe as generalization of what is going on it would explain a few things. I also think 110% is absurd. The only way you can give it 110% is if you cut off 10% of your buddy and carry it with you.

It's a figure of speech.

 

EDIT: Basically, the younger generation feels like a kid on the playground who was handed a toy truck after the bigger kids were playing with it, and they didn't get the "new" version of the toy truck, instead they got the version with pieces missing, and a wheel missing, and bent axles , and dents... but now I'm just repeating myself, basically.

Edited March 21, 2025 by Z0mBieP00Nani

[DrunkenCow]

16 hours ago, Darkpig said:

The older folks are pointing to the younger folks out of jealousy of being able to do shit

 

I'm jealous those little shits get a chicken pox vaccine.  Fuckin' shingles...

[Darkpig]

9 hours ago, DrunkenCow said:

I'm jealous those little shits get a chicken pox vaccine.  Fuckin' shingles...

With the way things are going there might not be a vaccine.

[Count Chocula]

On 3/21/2025 at 8:57 AM, DrunkenCow said:

 

I'm jealous those little shits get a chicken pox vaccine.  Fuckin' shingles...

Perhaps I missed something in posts I have not read but there is such a thing as a shingles vaccine.

 

And don't forget about the scurvy vaccine.

[DrunkenCow]

9 hours ago, chocula said:

Perhaps I missed something in posts I have not read but there is such a thing as a shingles vaccine.

 

And don't forget about the scurvy vaccine.

 

You have to be 50+ to get the shingles vax.  Shingles can and often does show up anytime after you get chicken pox.  So, enjoy the two week painful rash, hot and cold swings, and random nerve pain when the rash disappears GenX.

 

[woodsman30]

A theory I have thought about since my days at college is stupidity is driven by ego. The bigger the ego the more inclined someone is likely to do stupid things. When you believe what you think is right or what you think you know is correct without proper facts leads to stupid behavior. Ego also tends to make people believe they are the center of the world and all should make way for them this is ripe for stupid behavior.  See the modern events for reference but, history is full of this very thing make no mistake ego can make some do great things and others to crash and burn in a dumpster-fire of stupidity.

Ego may not cause stupidity but it does promote it.

Edited March 27, 2025 by woodsman30

[Darkpig]

George has a point. Men did put a man in charge. What a bunch of dumb fucks.

[Count Chocula]

On 3/25/2025 at 8:23 AM, DrunkenCow said:

 

You have to be 50+ to get the shingles vax.  Shingles can and often does show up anytime after you get chicken pox.  So, enjoy the two week painful rash, hot and cold swings, and random nerve pain when the rash disappears GenX.

 

No doubt they will.

[Count Chocula]

On 3/27/2025 at 9:51 AM, woodsman30 said:

A theory I have thought about since my days at college is stupidity is driven by ego. The bigger the ego the more inclined someone is likely to do stupid things. When you believe what you think is right or what you think you know is correct without proper facts leads to stupid behavior. Ego also tends to make people believe they are the center of the world and all should make way for them this is ripe for stupid behavior.  See the modern events for reference but, history is full of this very thing make no mistake ego can make some do great things and others to crash and burn in a dumpster-fire of stupidity.

Ego may not cause stupidity but it does promote it.

Well now you're getting into "What defines 'stupidity'?" It could mean "low IQ." It could mean "lack of experience." It could mean "lack of critical thinking skills." It could mean, as you say, ego bordering on (or crossing over into) hubris. It  could mean other things I have not mentioned. I guess to follow up on what you say, to a large extent stupidity is taking action or making decisions without taking the time to think things through or taking available information into account.

[woodsman30]

17 hours ago, chocula said:

It could mean "low IQ." It could mean "lack of experience." It could mean "lack of critical thinking skills

No I think not stupidity is not related to any of those I know many "smart people" Doctors, CEO, Professionals of all type they are just as inclined to stupidity as Joe six-pack at the trailer court. I think you maybe taking what I say out of context stupidity has nothing do with intelligence, experience, race, gender, beliefs or social morals. It is truly universal across the board see my prior posts.

[Darkpig]

5 hours ago, woodsman30 said:

No I think not stupidity is not related to any of those I know many "smart people" Doctors, CEO, Professionals of all type they are just as inclined to stupidity as Joe six-pack at the trailer court. I think you maybe taking what I say out of context stupidity has nothing do with intelligence, experience, race, gender, beliefs or social morals. It is truly universal across the board see my prior posts.

I tried reading your previous posts but do feel free to call me out if I missed anything. The reason smart people are stupid is because too many idiots are watching too many videos oversaturated with other loud idiots competing against overburdened geniuses who do not have time to do thorough research because they are too busy competing with loud idiots. Try saying that 10 times fast. Then again it isn't that much different to the idiotic discourse of a long time ago. In fact history might have been even stupider so yeah we are not going back to the days of racism, sexism, ableism, ageism and life altering diseases like Tuberculosis. That isn't to say things like technology and population growth have nothing to do with stupidity. These things have simply amplified smart and idiotic discourse. There is currently a spike of stupidity happening right now and even smart people are feeling stupider as a result. There is clearly a failure of leadership to provide education to those who need it leading to a much dumber society. Clearly our "Leaders" need to do their job. So what is the solution? Smart people need to scream louder than idiots I guess.

 

To hopefully explain some of my earlier posts. I do believe society has reached Idiocracy levels of stupid but at the end of the day Idiocracy is just a movie so I wouldn't go as far as saying things are out of control yet. There are still things we can do. Although I guess in a way I would say that yes stupidity is kind of getting out of control. My mind is jumbled right now like most others in my country. We live in the smartest yet dumbest time.

 

My post was inspired by this video:

 

[Grey Cloud]

Musk's attempt at a chef's kiss has caused the pimple on his chin to explode.

Pity it wasn't his forehead and an implode.

[Count Chocula]

12 hours ago, woodsman30 said:

No I think not stupidity is not related to any of those I know many "smart people" Doctors, CEO, Professionals of all type they are just as inclined to stupidity as Joe six-pack at the trailer court. I think you maybe taking what I say out of context stupidity has nothing do with intelligence, experience, race, gender, beliefs or social morals. It is truly universal across the board see my prior posts.

The first definition of "stupid" in Mirriam-Webster is "unintelligent." So saying stupidity has nothing to do with intelligence is pretty odd. Seems the word you were looking for to start this thread was not "stupidity."

 

Not sure why you mention race, gender and morals. No reasonable person thinks those factors have anything to do with being stupid. Beliefs, sure. If someone sincerely believes the Moon landings were faked, they are either delusional or stupid.

[Count Chocula]

3 hours ago, Darkpig said:

I tried reading your previous posts but do feel free to call me out if I missed anything. The reason smart people are stupid is because too many idiots are watching too many videos oversaturated with other loud idiots competing against overburdened geniuses who do not have time to do thorough research because they are too busy competing with loud idiots.

I think it better to ask "Why do smart people do dumb things?" That's a hard question to answer and anyone who claims to have a simple, non-controversial, all-inclusive answer is wrong.

[Darkpig]

1 hour ago, chocula said:

I think it better to ask "Why do smart people do dumb things?" That's a hard question to answer and anyone who claims to have a simple, non-controversial, all-inclusive answer is wrong.

Everything is controversial so I don't care about that. What I want to know is if an all-inclusive answer is wrong then what are the right answers? Can you name at least a few reasons why smart people do dumb things? I am curious.

[Count Chocula]

18 minutes ago, Darkpig said:

Everything is controversial so I don't care about that. What I want to know is if an all-inclusive answer is wrong then what are the right answers? Can you name at least a few reasons why smart people do dumb things? I am curious.

Not everything is controversial. Gravity isn't controversial (although theories about it might be; I'm not a physicist, though).

 

Greed is one reason smart people do dumb things, I'd say. But as usual, it's not as simple as just saying "greed," since we are talking about a smart person. A greedy dumb person doing a dumb thing for money has probably not thought things out. Let's say a smart person doing a dumb thing for money has made a plan and in their opinion a good plan and has weighed the risks and judges them to be worth the potential reward. In my hypothetical, they are wrong. It was a bad plan.

 

Any of what we might call the "base" emotions are reasons smart people do dumb things. But again I don't think it's as simple as saying "He did it because he was angry."

[Darkpig]

5 minutes ago, chocula said:

Not everything is controversial. Gravity isn't controversial (although theories about it might be; I'm not a physicist, though).

 

Greed is one reason smart people do dumb things, I'd say. But as usual, it's not as simple as just saying "greed," since we are talking about a smart person. A greedy dumb person doing a dumb thing for money has probably not thought things out. Let's say a smart person doing a dumb thing for money has made a plan and in their opinion a good plan and has weighed the risks and judges them to be worth the potential reward. In my hypothetical, they are wrong. It was a bad plan.

 

Any of what we might call the "base" emotions are reasons smart people do dumb things. But again I don't think it's as simple as saying "He did it because he was angry."

So far I got two motivations: Greed and Anger. The Greed part wasn't too far off from the link of that youtube video I posted 5 hours ago.