Stupidity: A Real Problem or Not?

It's a skill, that I dear say very few people could do. I respect them for figuring out how to live. At least they are not fear mongering to make a living.

Rich

Hi all,

I think it is all too easy to get trapped into thinking that any knowledge that one might have is in some way more valuable or puts that person higher in the pecking order than someone else. We are human beings who are learning - in a different way and along a different path.

Suppose a person doesn't know about astronomy but does know about farming? Is this person higher or lower in the pecking order? Where does farming and construction knowledge lie in the pecking order of those who seek to create one?

I know all about lots of things. I even know how to dance - Salsa, Samba, Swing, Ballroom - but I can't do Hip Hop. Am I stupid because of this? Because I don't know everything?

I would love to test philosophers and scientists on simple pop culture. Things that create relationships between people. How would anyone do when it comes to subject matter that they didn't study or just plain forgot?

I think that everyone is learning in their own way and their own time, and everyone's journey should be respected for what it is, however different it may be from my own.

Rich

Hi all,

I think it is all too easy to get trapped into thinking that any knowledge that one might have is in some way more valuable or puts that person higher in the pecking order than someone else. We are human beings who are learning - in a different way and along a different path.

Suppose a person doesn't know about astronomy but does know about farming? Is this person higher or lower in the pecking order? Where does farming and construction knowledge lie in the pecking order of those who seek to create one?

I know all about lots of things. I even know how to dance - Salsa, Samba, Swing, Ballroom - but I can't do Hip Hop. Am I stupid because of this? Because I don't know everything?

I would love to test philosophers and scientists on simple pop culture. Things that create relationships between people. How would anyone do when it comes to subject matter that they didn't study or just plain forgot?

I think that everyone is learning in their own way and their own time, and everyone's journey should be respected for what it is, however different it may be from my own.

The question I like to ask, is not whether someone else knows something or not. But rather, what is it that I do not know? What is there for me to explore in life? What more would I like to learn or create?

Rich

......A beggar, for example, knows how to survive by living on the street. They add to the flavor of life. I hope to add these things to other things that I have done in my life - but I know I will not do all. Rich

Hi Richrf,

Perhaps the best thing about democracy is that it forces me to use my intelligence to educate others in order for me to survive.

Warmly,
Philosopher Jay

Right. Someone who knows all about Britney Spears is on the same level as someone who knows about physics.

Hello Rich.

I can appreciate the fact that you have had a successful life. but "adding flavor to life"? Please, my friend, what about it do you find so savoring? I assure you, it is anything but! If you don't mind, please elaborate why you chose those particular words? I understand there are those 'pseudo-beggars" who are truly "mooch's" and the poverty stricken who never beg; please put into context what it is about the word beggar you find "flavorful"? :perplexed:

Thanks,
Wiilliam

---------- Post added 08-15-2009 at 06:47 PM ----------



Yep. Maybe even more fun to be with in life. I enjoy all kinds of people. Some of the people I dance Salsa with who don't know a wit about physics are great people to be around and enjoy life with. Go figure.

Rich

---------- Post added 08-15-2009 at 06:49 PM ----------


Yop. Fun to be with for those who are interested in Britney Spears. Not for those who are interested in physics. Anyway, what has fun to do with it?

Yop. Fun to be with for those who are interested in Britney Spears. Not for those who are interested in physics. Anyway, what has fun to do with it?

For me, fun is a fun part of life. Doesn't make someone stupid because they happen to know things that are fun to do. It's a tough call. Would I rather be with someone who knows physics or someone who dances a great Salsa? Hmmm ... Well, in any case, neither is stupid. They just know different things.

Rich

Well, we've descended down quite into the details on what's knowable.

The issue in this thread is concerned with issues of world, national and historical relevance; lack of which would deprive someone of the ability to contextualize their awareness, ability to vote intelligently and have *some* sense of history, in order to be a responsible citizen.

Some things are mindless.

Rush Limbaugh knows lots about history. I just disagree with his conclusion. We all arrive at our viewpoint in life in a different way. Some people, with no sense of history voted for Obama because they liked what they heard.

I'm just not the type of person who tries to elevate myself in the pecking order, by putting some other people down. I think if people wanted to put someone down, they can always start with themselves. Or, as an alternative, why even go there? There are plenty of other things to discuss in the world. But if you gotta go there, you gotta go there. I've certainly heard what beer guzzling college kids have to say about nerds. It goes both ways.

Rich

---------- Post added 08-15-2009 at 09:28 PM ----------



Are you talking about your own posts?

You on the other hand seem to get your kicks by putting other people down. However, in doing so, you are revealing more about yourself than you might want.

My favorite quote of all time:

The highest, as the lowest, form of criticism is a mode of autobiography.

Picture of Dorian Gray
Oscar Wilde

Give this quote some deep thought. You will learn a lot about yourself. And if you want to learn about others, just listen to how they criticize others. It is all quite autobiographical - and amazing to observe. I've been observing others criticizing people for years. Sure fire. Never fails. They are talking about themselves. Why this is so? I think it is nature way.

Rich

... I'm just not the type of person who tries to elevate myself in the pecking order, by putting some other people down. I think if people wanted to put someone down, they can always start with themselves. Or, as an alternative, why even go there? There are plenty of other things to discuss in the world...

Agree completely. The discussion here wasn't intended to label folks without cause - it asks: is a severe lack of knowledge/understanding about relevant current events, history, geography and politics (the basics of our I might term "pre-requisites for being a good world citizen") a problem?

For what its worth, I'll applaud your calling this out. Whether or not anyone else intended, when I sense a superiority complex bursting through, I too have to say something about it.

No matter how stupid or ignorant a person is, they will be able to teach you something, you'll be able to learn something from them which makes them no more or less smarter than you.

I suppose one could come up with a whole list of 'dangers' in being uninformed (or ignorant, or stupid). One example that comes to mind is part of a news broadcast I saw the other day: [INDENT]During a 'town hall meeting' discussing healthcare reform, members of the audience were chanting, '... keep your government hands off my medicare!'. Whomever was facilitating the meeting was trying to explain that medicare is a government program already, which drew cries of 'lying' and 'conspiracy'. Even the newscaster had to chuckle.
[/INDENT]Just an example

Some things are mindless. The adventures of Britney Spears are mindless. And anyone who finds those adventures genuinely interesting, is mindless. I have no doubt that in your case it would be a tough call.

I don't want to know about Britney.

Hi,

Yes, there are certainly all kinds of people. But, can we say that anyone really knows much about the health care reform bill that is now being discussed?

I am very well informed about news in general but I know very little about the specifics of the bill and certainly much less about the impact that the bill will have on the long term cost of health care. On the surface at least, it seems like there are really no provisions for curtailing costs and, as a country, living within our means.

The person who was making those comments about medicare was uninformed. But how many of us are really informed? How many of us have read the bill and understood its ramifications? The bill is a huge bill and my guess is that there is enough ambiguity and uncertainty in it to fill the Grand Canyon. So, being uninformed can come in many different varieties.

Rich

---------- Post added 08-16-2009 at 08:16 AM ----------





You criticize Brittney Spears and everyone who finds her interesting. And at the same time you claim you know nothing about her and don't want to know anything about her.

I think that is what this thread is all about. From my point of view, I have met many people who decry that which they know nothing about, and I accept it as part of life. Maybe we are all guilty of that at some times in our lives.

Rich