Making a better world has been achievable for some time, especially within the past 50 years. All we have to do is stop making STUPID PEOPLE FAMOUS.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, “Stupidity is a great enemy to Good People than evil”. He wrote this ten years after Hitler rose to supreme power in Germany. The German People “voted” Hitler into power, using emotion over logic or realism of thought. Yes, a bunch of stupid people voted to allow evil to rule their land, so long as they achieved greatness and European Supremacy. Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain found the stupid opportunity to proclaim that his efforts at the bargaining Table “Brought Peace in our time”. Peace in their time. Not much time as Hitler invaded Poland not too long after.
“Against stupidity, we have no real defense. Neither protest nor force can touch it. Reasoning is of no use. Facts that contradict personal prejudices can be simply disbelieved”(Bonhoeffer). Does this sound familiar in some way folks? No matter what amount of proof was presented, many Americans still reject the election win of President Biden in favor of former President Trump as the winner. There is no way to persuade a stupid person to accept fact or reality, it is senseless and dangerous. Think of January 6th in Washington DC, where a mass of stupid’s charged the Capital and unleashed violence upon the nation.
What is stupidity? Why do we not call a spade a spade? Stupidity has its roots in the subconscious and is driven by human experience. Often isolated from others, ideas and thoughts that may be contrary to reality can develop. Applying an individual’s world experiences such as loss of jobs, family, social respect, or perceived political influence, such a person finds relevance, influence, and importance within a group of like-minded individuals. It is within a group that stupidity finds its greatest momentum. Stupidity is less a psychological, and more a sociological problem. People often remain the same, and so do their prejudices and beliefs. Stupid people distrust information, and will often formulate their own to find peace in a mass belief system. Herd behavior is among the pre-eminent causes of stupidity. Stupidity is contagious as well, often seeking out others to validate their beliefs. Political leaders take advantage of this mental state, proclaiming their populist, political entrepreneurism. So did former President Trump. Stupid people are stubborn and usually do not act alone but with the crowd.
To have a better world, we must recognize what is better for humanity, and what is not. Stupidity closes that part of the mind that can tell the difference, relying upon slogans, catchwords, and rally cries from the crowd. Stupidity facilitates the process that captures society by evil forces. Simple slogans and explanations are provided to answer the individual’s questions about almost any issue, no matter how complex. Many people who are stupid become famous using these precepts, allowing stupidity to reign supreme.
America and Canada are becoming less intelligent, and in fact more stupid. I.Q. levels have dropped to very low levels, school students cannot even meet school board-level testing, while other students through acts of laziness, stupidity, or forced expulsion are leaving schools without their diplomas. Can a stupid person get a good-paying job? No, Not Really. Will stupid people become a financial and social drag upon society? Yes indeed. Remember,” in individuals, insanity is rare, but in groups, political parties, nations, and epochs, madness rules”(F. Nietzsche).
How do we stop this stupefaction of our homelands?
Education/Schooling: Should be universal and free. In fact, each individual should be required to finish successfully certain levels of the education system whether in or out of our legal system.
Equality within all aspects of our human condition: Yah women are paid the same as men, sexuality, and identification are universally accepted, and taxation is based upon personal worth and ability to pay.
Identification and isolation of evil manipulators, provocateurs, and enemies of humanity. There are people who prey upon others. Isolate, educate and if needed obliterate.
Introduce Creativity as an alternative: Learn how to make music, sing, paint, write, sculpt, and learn how music builds while stupidity destroys.
Identify: There is nothing wrong with the personal identifying of stupidity, and managing it with charity, clear-headed logic, and social awareness. Long before Trump became the most powerful man on the planet someone should have slapped him silly, awaken his consciousness and morality. The cowardly actions of those around him allowed Trump to assume the most powerful seat in America. If only eh?
Herd behavior rules the day in America and so many other nations across this planet. An explosion of emotion, along with mass psychological expression creates events that happen where a mass of people are angry, distressed, and belligerent. A mass reversal of jobs is needed, where police should be psychologists, politicians priests, moneymen sociologists, and soldiers peacemakers.
“Sometimes a man wants to be stupid, if it lets him do a thing his cleverness forbids” (John Steinbeck)
Steven Kaszab
Bradford, Ontario
[email protected]
