The Danger of Stupidity

"Stupidity is a more dangerous enemy of the good than malice. One may protest against evil; it can be exposed and, if need be, prevented by use of force…Against stupidity we are defenseless. Neither protests nor the use of force accomplish anything here; reasons fall on deaf ears; facts that contradict one’s prejudgment simply need not be believed—in such moments, the stupid person even becomes critical—and when facts are irrefutable, they are just pushed aside as inconsequential, as incidental. In all this the stupid person, in contrast to the malicious one, is utterly self-satisfied and, being easily irritated, becomes dangerous by going on the attack. For that reason, greater caution is called for when dealing with a stupid person than with a malicious one. Never again will we try to persuade the stupid person with reasons, for it is senseless and dangerous."

This was the quote of the day in Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Substack newsletter. This quote hit me hard because it is so relevant for today's worlds. To many times I read something and I ask myself how could someone think this is true. Not only do they think it is true, but nothing you say will convince them otherwise. To me this is the difference between stupidity and ignorance. Ignorance is the lack of knowledge, stupidity is having the knowledge but refusing to believe it. Both ignorance and stupidity are equal dangerous when it comes to democratic-republic. Those without the ability to think logically are easily manipulate by politicians. Especially if those politicians say things that agree with the person's preconcieved notions of the world