Stupidity

Sometimes I make silly mistakes or say something dumb, and get teased with comments like "Wah, you really very stupid leh!" or "You ah...are you for real or not?" But, in my defence, my silly mistakes or response usually stem from pure ignorance of a particular subject, and my own form of stupidity never hurt anyone. Usually, I even join in the teasing, and admit how stupid I was to do or say something. :p

But there's another type of stupidity I can't stand -- the type that comes from someone in power or authority, or someone supposedly having such a wealth of experiences in a certain field that you wouldn't expect him/her to be stupid when it comes what he/she is supposed to know very well. But it's only human to err, so I can accept mistakes these people make, only if they humbly accept the fact that they are not infallible, just like the rest of us average mortals. I guess what makes stupidity from these people such a turn-off is the fact that, based on my personal encounters with them, they do or say something that is totally ridiculous, and then continue acting as if they are undoubtedly right, and that everyone should never question their judgement. Even if you point out certain flaws in their decisions, they blatantly refuse to admit their errors and try all ways and means to defend themselves, even resorting to employing insults or avoiding the subject matter altogether. Because being who they are have created such big egos in them, they view any criticism as a personal threat to their image or reputation, and thus find it hard to accept the comments graciously.

I regret to say that just when I thought some of these people might have reached their limits of being stupid, I was proven wrong the past week. As a result, I've had to endure the consequences of their stupidity and the many negative emotions that they've set off in me.

I mean, being stupid because you're ignorant is one thing, but refusing to admit that you've been stupid and wrong even when all the evidence points to that and even continuing your dumb ways and causing harm or inconvenience to others in the process is unacceptable in my terms, especially when you're held in high regard by others and supposed to be *ahem* wise.

Happened to come across a site that states the Five Laws of Stupidity by an Italian economic historian named Carlo M. Cipolla. Thought it'd be interesting to know and wanted to see if I could relate them to those people I have in mind. Turns out they're quite accurate!

Law #1: We always underestimate the number of stupid people.

According to Cipolla, this is not very obvious because the people whom we had thought to be rational and intelligent might suddenly turn out to be unquestionably stupid. (YES!) And day after day, we are hampered in whatever we do by stupid people who invariably turn up in the least appropriate places. (YES YES YES!!! -- to the first half of the sentence.) He also observes that it is impossible to set a percentage, because any number we choose will be too small. (I believe so.)

Law #2: The probability of a person being stupid is independent of any other characteristic of that person.

In a nutshell, studies have shown that the frequence of stupidity in people with low education is similar to that among professionals, executives or others who have received even the highest education possible. The stupidity factor is also about the same between groups with differences in gender, race or religion. (YES! Remember what I said about some people who hold big positions but are small in 'brain'?)

Law #3: A stupid person is someone who causes damage to another person, or a group of people, without any advantage accruing to himself/herself, or even with some resultant self-damage.

This is also the golden law of stupidity. (Oh my, the times I've had to 'suffer' cos of such a person!)

Law #4: Non-stupid people always underestimate the power of stupid people.

Non-stupid people seem to forget how damaging it can be to associate themselves with stupid people because they'll be brought down by the dumb mistakes the stupid people make. (Hmm... does that mean that non-stupid people are actually a little stupid then? Never mind. Anyway, I do know non-stupid people who have been criticised simply because they are with the stupid people and are unable to stop their stupid acts from taking place.)

Law #5: A stupid person is the most dangerous person in existence.

I used to think that it's the really intelligent minds that are most dangerous, especially when they turn criminal. But Cipolla thinks that a stupid person is most dangerous because, not only do they hurt others, they could very well hurt themselves too as they don't even realise that they are stupid. Hence, while intelligent people know exactly what they are doing, stupid people do not. And if they are in a position of power, God help us all... (Heh, how true!)

So I guess I might come across as really stupid at times, but I'm not that stupid cos at least I'm aware of how I can be stupid sometimes!

Sigh. I'd better re-watch an episode of "Friends" or something over lunch soon. At least the stupidity of these characters in the sitcom serves some purpose cos they are so adorable and entertaining.