The strange dichotomy of stupidity

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

"Dumb" really has different connotations from "stupid", as it implies a lack of speech or communication, whether it's from inherent inability or from imposed inability (such as suppression).

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

Of course, all of these distinctions and definitions have little bearing on the point I was trying to make. They largely read as justification and avoidance.

[Q. G. Pennyworth]

Of course, all of these distinctions and definitions have little bearing on the point I was trying to make. They largely read as justification and avoidance.

I think it is on topic, either that or I'm really misunderstanding what you were going for. We assume "stupid" people are ignorant by choice - wasting the precious resource that is a working brain and fuck them - while we understand that mentally handicapped people don't have the capacity to be smart, and aren't being ignorant by choice.

[trix]

I try not to be ignorant but I am definitely stupid.  I mean, I could probably hold a really intelligent sounding conversation with Triple Zero about computer stuff, but outside of that one topic I know less than average, "average" being the norm that I have encountered from living in Wisconsin for nearly 30 years.  Especially History, which I recognize the importance of, but can't seem to stay interested enough to learn a whole lot about.  Places like this help a lot, where I can see names and references that I know nothing about and look them up and learn, but on the whole, if I'm talking to someone about anything other than technology, they probably know more than I do.

Yet, unless I do something specific to solicit a negative reaction, people are generally kind to me.  I cannot remember having ever been mocked for not knowing something most people know, or receiving any sort of negativity towards my lack of knowledge in the topic at hand.  This could be respect for my willingness to learn what I do not know, or that I am not embarrassed to admit my ignorance and work to correct it, or simply because I am polite.  Or maybe it's just the giant beard.

I'm not trying to say that my case is representative of some kind of norm, but I do think that the individual personality of the person has much more to do with how they are treated, than their raw level of knowledge or intelligence.

[trix]

Also, their ability to communicate.  I have a friend that people tend to assume is stupid, simply because he is not good as expressing his thoughts to others.  He has pretty bad social anxiety, which is responsible for most of it, but if you look at what he spends his time reading, and the kinds of things he can apply what he learns to, it becomes clear that the guy is very, very smart.

On the other hand, I've met people who communicate very well, and are always assumed to be rather intelligent, but when I got to know them better over longer periods of time it started to become clear that those people are really quite stupid.  In one case I discovered the person had trouble with basic math and serious reading comprehension problems, though he sounded great in person, if you discussed anything generic enough for him to keep up.

Of course then you have Bush, who can only appear intelligent if he doesn't open his mouth, write anything down, or otherwise attempt to actually communicate.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

Of course, all of these distinctions and definitions have little bearing on the point I was trying to make. They largely read as justification and avoidance.

I think it is on topic, either that or I'm really misunderstanding what you were going for. We assume "stupid" people are ignorant by choice - wasting the precious resource that is a working brain and fuck them - while we understand that mentally handicapped people don't have the capacity to be smart, and aren't being ignorant by choice.

Yes, that's the point of the OP; trying to pull out and examine this particular piece of cognitive dissonance.

[LMNO]

Well, if it's making me uncomfortable and defensive  (and it is), then I think it's something that's pretty important.

[The Good Reverend Roger]

Well, if it's making me uncomfortable and defensive  (and it is), then I think it's something that's pretty important.

I'm running out of people to be better than.   

Nigel!  UNNNG!   

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

Well, if it's making me uncomfortable and defensive  (and it is), then I think it's something that's pretty important.

Cool! And I've managed to do it without being horribly offensive, for a change! I think.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

Well, if it's making me uncomfortable and defensive  (and it is), then I think it's something that's pretty important.

I'm running out of people to be better than.   

Nigel!  UNNNG!   

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

You can still feel better than people who feel better than people.

[Eater of Clowns]

I wonder, is the tendency to disparage those of lesser intelligence part of a broader tendency to ridicule people who are outside the norm? Outliers on the other end of the measurement, gifted or genius level, are able to hide their abilities with learned behavior. If less intelligent people were able to do the same, they wouldn't be less intelligent.

Is it a conformity issue?

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

I wonder, is the tendency to disparage those of lesser intelligence part of a broader tendency to ridicule people who are outside the norm? Outliers on the other end of the measurement, gifted or genius level, are able to hide their abilities with learned behavior. If less intelligent people were able to do the same, they wouldn't be less intelligent.

Is it a conformity issue?

Hmmm, that's an interesting angle... after all, "nerds" and academics used to also be fair game for disparagement, and in some circles still are.

[Pæs]

Well, if it's making me uncomfortable and defensive  (and it is), then I think it's something that's pretty important.

Cool! And I've managed to do it without being horribly offensive, for a change! I think.

It's not too late! Retitle this thread "Well-read people are puppy-kicking assholes".

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

Well, if it's making me uncomfortable and defensive  (and it is), then I think it's something that's pretty important.

Cool! And I've managed to do it without being horribly offensive, for a change! I think.

It's not too late! Retitle this thread "Well-read people are puppy-kicking assholes".