My sons enjoy the Darwin Awards that are given out for fatal stupidity. As I repeatedly told them while they were growing into fine, young men: "Stupidity has its own rewards."
This has nothing to do with IQ. "Stupid is as stupid does." This has more to do with preconceived or distorted notions about the world.
Some stupidity is at a personal level; some people simply cannot relate to other people. Marriages are a disaster. Friendships, if ever formed, are ephemeral. These people can be brilliant in other ways, but don't have a clue about personal relationships and act accordingly.
Some stupidity is on a broader social level. These people tend to be parochial in their views and quick to condemn. They never seem to advance socially or in business despite their brilliance... unless, of course, they work for themselves. Then they can disregard direction or suggestions from their non-existent colleagues.
But the worst stupidity is on a cultural level. When a culture creates a mythology about the world or universe and disregards the obvious, nature has a way of ensuring that culture either fails or stays subordinated. I have my own list of Darwin Awards for cultural stupidity... and I'm sure you have yours.
Mine center around the idea that "God demands it" is sufficient reason to do horrible things. That presumes three things that all come together in a package:The last part might be interpreted as psychotic except that on a cultural level it is perverse. It is also Darwinian stupid.
- There is a controlling deity
- The deity is personally interested in individuals
- The deity has demanded that individuals do terrible things to themselves, their family, and others
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