Five Universal Laws of Human Stupidity

[johngross]

An amusing article .


"In 1976, a professor of economic history at the University of California, Berkeley published an essay outlining the fundamental laws of a force he perceived as humanity's greatest existential threat: Stupidity.

"Stupid people, Carlo M. Cipolla explained, share several identifying traits: they are abundant, they are irrational, and they cause problems for others without apparent benefit to themselves, thereby lowering society's total well-being. There are no defenses against stupidity, argued the Italian-born professor, who died in 2000. The only way a society can avoid being crushed by the burden of its idiots is if the non-stupid work even harder to offset the losses of their stupid brethren.

"Let's take a look at Cipolla's five basic laws of human stupidity:"

The Five Universal Laws of Human Stupidity

 

[yaktamer]

I read the article. Can't argue with it. The evidence is everywhere.

 

[lkabug]

Hummm, from UC Berkeley.

 

[mtgianni]

Hummm, from UC Berkeley.

Exactly, he would have plenty of test subjects close to hand.

 

[Rudi]

There are so many idiots, numbers don't go that high.

 

[Jon651]

This is an old saying from my parents I should pass on:

"There are two kinds of fools in this world: Schlemiels and Schlimazels. Schlemiels go around spilling soup; Schlimazels are the one's they spill it on!"

 

[quikdraw67]

Just watch the movie "Idiocracy "

Sure. it's a vulgar comedy, but its storyline is the future.

 

[Protocall_Design]

Looks like a pretty fair assessment of our current situation.

 

[Absalom]

In perusing commentary on Cipolla’s book across various media, what’s most perplexing is how many reviewers take this seriously and discuss the “laws” and his graphs and definitions as if they were real.

In a way, showing that he had a point.

Of course the whole thing is economic satire, pretty good too, in the vein of Jonathan Swift’s “modest proposal”. Cipolla originally wrote it and had 100 copies printed to distribute to friends as a Christmas present (cheaper than chocolate, I guess).

He sure knew how to sound authoritative, with no data, research, in fact nothing at all to support his stuff. Must have struck a nerve

 

[Rustyt1953]

"Stupidity" and "gullibility" are often interchangeable.

 

[Eric300]

No truer words have ever been spoken.....

 

[Rolex28]

We are only as smart as we think we are..

 

[ladder13]

"Stupidity" and "gullibility" are often interchangeable.

Good one Rusty.

 

[Chubbo]

Human nature

My outlook on judging stupidity is, that it is human nature, for some people, on some occasions, to openly, and blatantly, judge their fellow human beings, that might have less education, and knowledge, just to highlight their own cleverness. Admittedly, some people rightfully deserve to be called stupid.

 

[vt_shooter]

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

If non-stupid people always underestimate the damaging power of stupid individuals, then doesn't it follow that they themselves must be stupid because they repeatedly failed to learn not to underestimate the power of stupid people, and thus everyone is stupid?

 

[Protocall_Design]

I think stupidity is a relative term. If your relatives are stupid, you probably will be, as well.

Also, anyone with an IQ 10 or more points lower than a particular individual may be looked down on by that person as being "stupid", and anyone with an IQ 10 or more points higher may be looked up to by the same person as being "smart", regardless of what their own IQ may be.

Of course everyone wants to think they are in the "smart" category, even if only the lower end of it.

 

[GaryS]

"The difference between genius and stupidity is that there are limits on genius."

A. Einstein

 

[crstrode]

In perusing commentary on Cipolla’s book across various media, what’s most perplexing is how many reviewers take this seriously and discuss the “laws” and his graphs and definitions as if they were real.

Anyone believing they are not being overrun by the stupids is, apparently, a card-carrying member of the occupying force.

 

[Bekeart]

Stupidity / Ignorance - Will Rogers

If Stupidity got us into this mess, then why can't it get us out? - Will Rogers.

Everybody is ignorant, only on different subjects. - Will Rogers.

 

[Muss Muggins]

“You can’t fix stupid, but you can set it a bond and give it a court date.”

Grandma Muggins