The Five Universal Laws of Human Stupidity

getpocket.com ^ | Corinne Purtill

[CrazyIvan]

“The stupid shall be punished.”
Admiral Hymen G. Rickover

[PerConPat]

And that “Kindly Old Gentleman” often did just that...

[elteemike]

We hear constant warnings about the dangers of artificial intelligence, but almost nothing about natural stupidity...

Imagine when the full power of AI finally lands in the hands of the naturally stupid...

[Mariner]

Our societies are defined by the Bell Curve.

[exnavy]

Yeah, i don’t like much of anything about the repubs these days. The dims, never voted for one, not going to start now. There is no winning on the left, and no joy on the right.

[PerConPat]

I believe your observation and the inability of a large portion of humanity to control emotions are the most decisive factors in determining societal dysfunction. For instance, the inability, of so many voters, to understand the consequences of eroding freedoms and the shoveling out of handouts to nonproductive elements are not explainable in any other way-—IMO.

[Mariner]

“For instance, the inability, of so many voters, to understand the consequences of eroding freedoms and the shoveling out of handouts to nonproductive elements are not explainable in any other way-—IMO”

Stupid explains it. In all cases.

[gspurlock]

“Weakness and passivity are cousins of stupidity. Being bright doesn’t mean people will do anything about the information they absorb. They may recognize stupid and even harmful things but do nothing to change them.

The country is burning and few are rushing to put out the fire. They don’t think the conflagration will come to their neighborhood.”

Excellent point!

We are certainly living in interesting times. I believe that is an old Chinese curse. . .

[drSteve78]

“Being stupid is like being dead, you are not aware of it, and it’s only difficult for the others.”

---

Yup

[Ouderkirk]

This was originally written by Carlo Cipolla

The Basic Laws of Human Stupidty

https://www.academia.edu/11274021/Cipolla_The_Basic_Laws_of_Human_Stupidity

[Falconspeed]

“6. Stupid people don’t know they are stupid. Pls see Dunning-Kruger Effect.”

True. The term “stupid” is general and the term “narcissist” is specific and fitting for people who fail to see their repulsiveness.

Sadly, modern social media increases narcissism.

[M Kehoe]

Hi.

Methinks I’m getting too old to deal with stupid people.

Depending on the circumstances, I may suffer the ignorant for a spell.

If they buy the beer.

5.56mm

[sport]

Thank you for posting this.

[PerConPat]

That occurred to me as I typed my comments. And a broad definition is possible. But I can't consider the many highly accomplished Rats as stupid. They are probably situated on the extreme right side of the bell curve. But they are either emotional suckers in some respects or evil, IMO. But it's all semantics...I suppose, to some, being stupid in one area qualifies as being stupid across the board.

[Chuckster]

Might be an interesting seed there, but far too much mulch. An editor needs to take a trowel to it.

[Starboard]

There is no winning on the left, and no joy on the right.

*************

Well said, shipmate.

[pacpam]

Do the stupid possess common sense

[ASOC]

quote for Truth

[outofsalt]

Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers.

[Albion Wilde]

Law 1: Always and inevitably everyone underestimates the number of stupid individuals in circulation.

At any given time, half the people are below average.

That used to be a joke; but after the past several decades of dumbing down, the median is lowering at an increasing pace.