Greg often talks about self determination and splendor. There is a raw courage that comes with saying that a bandit can put a gun in your face and demand what they want, but ultimately that bandit cannot take from you what you will not give him.
But what about stupidity?
Here’s an interesting read from an article published by Carlo Cipolla, and summarized briefly in this post.
THE BASIC LAWS OF HUMAN STUPIDITY
by Carlo M. Cipolla
1. The first basic law of human stupidity
2. The second basic law
3. The third (and golden) basic law
4. Frequency distribution
5. The power of stupidity
6. The fourth basic law
7. The fifth basic lawThe first basic law of human stupidity
The first basic law of human stupidity asserts without ambiguity that:
Always and inevitably everyone underestimates the number of stupid individuals in circulation.
The second basic law
The probability that a certain person be stupid is independent of any other characteristic of that person.
The third (and golden) basic law
The Third Basic Law assumes, although it does not state it explicitly, that human beings fall into four basic categories: the helpless, the intelligent, the bandit and the stupid.
A stupid person is a person who causes losses to another person or to a group of persons while himself deriving no gain and even possibly incurring losses.
The fourth basic law
Non-stupid people always underestimate the damaging power of stupid individuals. In particular non-stupid people constantly forget that at all times and places and under any circumstances to deal and/or associate with stupid people always turns out to be a costly mistake.
The Fifth Basic Law states that
A stupid person is the most dangerous type of person.
The corollary of the Law is that:
A stupid person is more dangerous than a bandit.
My premise? What I see as a pandemic is the unfettered law of stupidity threatening us in every arena of our lives. Professionally it’s NAR and financial reform. Sociologically it’s the “let’s all get along” mantra. Politically it’s the apparent dismembering and misinterpretation of our Constitution. Financially it’s our socialistic tendencies. Personally it’s the lack of decorum and respect.
Are there basic laws of stupidity? If there are, and as Forrest Gump says, “Stupid is as Stupid does”, then the stupid I see being done is a stupid that may do us in.
Jeff Brown says:
Grandma taught me that most truly stupid people don’t realize they’re stupid.
August 13, 2010 — 7:09 am
Sean Purcell says:
Interesting take Don, but my greatest fear is the helpful because they often end up being both “intelligent” and “bandit,” though I believe their damage is greatest to those who perceive themselves as “helpless” rather than “stupid.” I wonder, do you think the measurement of “stupid” increases in proportion to the size of the crowd? Or does an ever larger group of people appear to become more “helpless”?
August 13, 2010 — 9:18 am
Al Lorenz says:
Don, this seems out of character for you! I might grouse about something like this, but you always see the best in folks. We all have those days though!
August 13, 2010 — 9:33 am
Don Reedy says:
Sean> No. I’m pretty much in agreement with the author that the percentage is constant; not dependent on the size of the group. The dynamic of mob hysteria is not what I’m discussing, and clearly is an adjunct to the general rules of stupidity.
Al> Not to fret. Indeed I do always look for the best in everyone. This post, on the other hand, is meant to get everyone thinking about the unintended results that come from plain old fashioned stupidity. And while I realize that it is politically incorrect to debase anyone’s abilities or beliefs, it’s my long held belief that political correctness should never be confused with the honest discussion of uncomfortable truths.
I don’t know how you explain a lot of the actions undertaken by Congress and our very own California Legislature if not simply that they are stupid. I understand that their actions can be discussed with more flattering rhetoric, and that some will think that I’m merely casting stones without offering solutions.
Don’t care. As someone pointed out in a post here a long time ago, if you listen and respond then social intercourse is in fact occurring. If, on the other hand, you refuse to listen and intelligently interact then the only kind of intercourse that’s occurring is a form of political rape.
Stupidity exists. I just want less stupidity. Is that so wrong?
August 13, 2010 — 1:52 pm
Al Lorenz says:
Don, we all have out wants! I agree with the sentiment. But, don’t fret much about things you can’t change. Education can solve ignorance, but stupidity….
August 13, 2010 — 2:14 pm