Is Everyone Really That Stupid?

A good friend of mine recently blogged that, IHHO, "Everyone is Stupid".  On the whole I would tend to agree with him.  Everyone does or says stupid things from time to time.  However, as the last line of his blog suggests, in Dana's case this could just be the beer talking.

Where I would disagree with D is that there is "Stupid" and there is just plain "Dumb".

Dumb things usually happen on the spur of the moment.  For example, forgetting your security pass before driving 60 miles to work and having to rely on your 'mates' in the office to let you in - Dumb.  Or how about not noticing your wife's new haircut - especially when she's been going on about having it done for the past month - really Dumb.

Dumb things like this tend to happen because of a moments distraction or inattentiveness (or possibly a whole month of inattentiveness).  The consequence is usually a moment of feeling foolish followed by some good natured teasing (if you are lucky) or days of pointed reminders and frosty glares (if you're not). 

Dumb things also happen through a lack of understanding or, more accurately, through a lack of education - by which I mean self education as well as state education - or when you have not witnessed or experienced a similar event or situation for yourself.  For example, forgetting to put oil in the engine and wondering why it over-heats or ceases up, or drinking from an unguarded can of beer in the later stages of a party and wondering why it tastes 'ashey'.

'Dumb' actions will generally take the victim by surprise, and will often as not take any witnesses by surprise as well.  I mean, who knew that changing batteries in the TV remote one day in front of your inquisitive 2 year old would result in every TV/DVD/Hi-Fi remote, mobile house phone, torch and any other battery operated gadget in the house being stripped of power and the batteries being pushed into hard to reach spaces or just buried in the garden?  Didn't you?  Well perhaps you should be reading my other Blog as well!

Even when the consequences involve other people the impact of a Dumb action is usually soft and short term.

Stupid things happen when people don't think about what they are doing or consider what the consequences of their actions may be.  Sometimes they do consider the consequences but say WTF and run the risk anyway.

Stupid acts tend to be committed by an 'educated' person, i.e. someone who understands the implications of their actions or who can at least imagine the possible implications, but still throws caution to the winds.  Stupid acts are sometimes, therefore, considered to be malicious or vindictive because the perpetrator 'should know better'.  For example, driving while drunk - very Stupid.  Or how about lending money to people who are already heavily in debt, and then expecting them to repay it at short notice when a Bank is suddenly short of cash - Greedy and Stupid.

Politicians, Union leaders, journalists (newspaper Editors), Environmental Activists and Hollywood all rely on 'stupid' people believing what they say.  The sad thing is that they are often right.  Sometimes it is easier or more comforting to accept the lie than to challenge it.  We become 'stupid' when we allow 'stupid' to run our lives.

Sometimes I feel the rarest human trait is the application of 'Common Sense' - which, by extension, makes that phrase an 'oxymoron'. 

Everyone does something stupid at some point in their lives.  What they then do as a consequence of recognising their stupidity defines the type of person that they are.  Sadly, for some, stupidity is a way of life.  Sadly for us, these people always seem to achieve high offices.

Welcome to my Odd Thoughts

Welcome one and all (no, not you Dave) to my second blog.

My first blog, Being Dad, is a slightly more focused blog on the subject of, . . . well, being a Dad.  Please do pay it a visit as it may not be quite what you expect.

This blog, however, will be a much more casual and, dare I say, random view of the world through my eyes, ears . . . . and other senses.

Some of the comments and views will certainly be 'off-the-wall', . . . . in fact so far off-the-wall that there are no urban developments in sight.  So, you have been warned.


Please send in comments.  As my good friend Dana can testify, I derive some of my best spontaneous comments and observations from stuff other people say or write.  So don't be shy.

The only thing I ask is that there is no strong profanity on this blog.  Profanities can be euphemistically referred to or re-termed: for instance, "bo11ocks", "ass" and "to55er" would be  acceptable, as is "lady-garden" or "discreet massager", but please refrain from any four letter foulness.

BTW, that avatar looks nothing like me, but until I can find a suitable picture of Mr Potato-head or Yûnosuke Itô (actor in Sanjuro) it'll have to do.

TTFN and RYL

Neil.