Dumb, Dumber, and “Dumberest”

American Outlook ^ | January 6, 2004 | Herbert I. London

[quidnunc]

One might have thought that American culture could not get any stupider and self-indulgent. One would be wrong.

Today the nation is going through a revolution in “dumbing down,” and the cult of celebrity is leading the way. There is scarcely an idiocy that doesn’t get public attention. Tiny-brained heiress Paris Hilton puts her marginal I.Q. on display for public delectation — and only becomes more famous. “Actress” Anna Nicole Smith displays her physical endowments and mental deficiency for television audiences who expect her to express incoherent commentary.

Of course, idiocy is not new; even public idiocy has its place at the table, as continuing popularity of the Three Stooges comedies demonstrates. What sets this current dumbness craze apart from the past is that it is now a regular feature of television viewing. Stupidity is a television staple.

-snip-

[Bud Bundy]

Having Paris Hilton on television serves a usefull purpose - from now on, when I see hollywood celeb's preaching their politics, I know exactly what sort of thought process was involved in reaching their conclusions.

[Support Free Republic]

[Frank_2001]

Excellent article!!!
And what is the deal with Paris Hilton anyway, dumb and IMO quite homely as well?

[ladyinred]

This is a Homerun!
I am not sure I could agree more.

[RBroadfoot]

I wouldn't call Paris Hilton homely, but she's certainly dumb. (Perhaps we should be more politically correct and call her "learning disabled".)

Ten minutes was all I could bear of her Fox TV show, but I think it long enough for a fair assessment. During those ten minutes, Ms. Hilton and her sidekick actually committed a fairly serious crime, food tampering, when they mixed water in cow's milk. I'm sure, however, that no charges could be filed since their "employment" is just for show. Nobody would really hire those two to perform productive labor.

After my very brief introduction to the likes of Ms. Hilton, I am reconsidering the merit of estate and inheritance taxes.

[Theresawithanh]

From the article - "Of course, idiocy is not new; even public idiocy has its place at the table, as continuing popularity of the Three Stooges comedies demonstrates..."

Hey, Mr. London, you leave the three stooges outta this!

[Theresawithanh]

What really got to me was when they stole the feed store guy's credit card and charged a bunch of stuff, like the little bird house they got for the wife! I only watched it for a few minutes, out of curiosity, but it is such a stupid show. Can't believe it's been a hit.

[InShanghai]

Excellent Article.

X-gen ping? The idiots Mr. London refers to are icons of the X generation... sad.

[qam1]

X-gen ping? The idiots Mr. London refers to are icons of the X generation... sad.

Yeah why not.

But what Mr. London left out is the educational system that is creating these dumb (yet high self esteem)people which is leading to all this. Though there was always dumb people on dumb shows, Almost every sitcom since the beginning always has at least one character that is dumb beyond belief. Gilligan, Crissy on 3's Company, Woody on Cheers, Joey and Phoebe on Friends the list goes on and on, All sitcoms must have an idiot it's like a rule or something. The main reason TV is getting dumber is because there are so many stations with so many shows that to in order to get noticed they have to become more and more outrageous.

[qam1]

Xer Ping

Ping list for the discussion of the politics and social aspects that directly effects Generation-X (Those born from 1965-1982) including all the spending previous generations (i.e. The Baby Boomers) are doing that Gen-X and Y will end up paying for.

Freep mail me to be added or dropped. See my home page for details.  

[AmericanVictory]

Yeah, nyuk, nyuk!

[Dan from Michigan]

Go ahead and add me to the list.

As for dumb shows being popular? I think the main reason is that it's easy to make fun of them.(Ie. Springer)

[weegee]

Whatever happened to the “Quiz Kids” who were so widely admired in my youth? When did being dumb become chic?

What happened to broadcast standards PERIOD?

There are still debate tournaments, spelling bees, and teen quiz competitions. Baby boomers and post-modern minds find such programming passe.

There are still brains in schools and they are still beat up and ridiculed. This is not a new phenomenon. What is new is that the media ignores them and elevates people (some of whom have to be faking it) to celebrity status.

Anna Nicole Smith is not an "icon" of Generation X (although she is from that age demographic, now in our 30s). In the old days the former topless dancer turned model/centerfold would have become a gangster's moll. Just another airhead chippy. She certainly wouldn't have been given her own franchise and no one would have bothered to ask her to comment on foreign affairs.

[weegee]

Beavis and Butthead were simultaneously a way for Mike Judge to slam MTV's demographics, to slam lame music videos hyped by the industry, and spotlight overlooked performers who would never have gotten any airtime on MTV.

Any video release that omits the music video segments omits a major portion of the show.

I think that the plethora of "dumb" characters these days (especially in "reality" shows) is that they must test well with programmers. They probably make some demographic feel like they are smarter than someone else out there.

[Criminal Number 18F]

I am reconsidering the merit of estate and inheritance taxes.

LOL. They are generally unnecessary for that purpose, because while some people accumulate wealth quite impressively, there is usually someone within a generation or two who can dissipate it with equal or superior skill.

d.o.l.

Criminal Number 18F

[astounded]

Personally I think Paris Hilton is a dog - not only ugly outside, but empty inside. What a loser she is.

[GodBlessRonaldReagan]

That was my first reaction!

"No, you're smarter than that. You're an imbecile." - Moe Howard

[GodBlessRonaldReagan]

My fave parts of Beavis and Butthead were the music videos - the commentary was priceless!

[farsighted]

When ever we talk about a Hollywierd celebs we should mention Paris Hilton to put their comments into perspective. Celebs like Susan Sarandon AND Paris Hilton believe ....