This blog belongs to the Art In The Everyday course at Eastern Connecticut State University which explores everyday life experience through various frames of reference, including: sound, ephemeral sculpture, movement and community building.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

On Stupidity

What Think You? Please share some of the thoughts that occurred to you about or during the film today. Feel free to comment on the comments of others.

One thing that struck me was the the viewpoint that a minority of people (eg. corporations/ politicians) profit handsomely from the effective "stupidity" of others (eg. consumers). In the film, Noam Chomsky suggests that one reason for this is to establish peoples' brand loyalties early on in life, so they will focus their money and energy toward amassing commodities. For the unconvinced, consider the following statistic: consumer spending accounts for roughly two-thirds of the U.S. economy.

Here are links to books written by two of the authors interviewed in the film: Giancarlo Livraghi and James F. Welles, Ph. D.

21 comments:

  1. Stupidity… What is it? Is it seen differently in other cultures? Is something universally stupid or just stupid in the eyes if the beholder? Is something stupid done subconsciously or are they decisions that are made consciously - maybe to attract attention, or to make a point? STUPIDITY… what is it and why do we have so many questions? It is amazing that the word stupidity is used in everyday language, stupid acts are done by everyone, stupid things can be seen on TV, and acts of stupidity can be read about in any form of text- but yet we cannot get a handle on its exact definition. We cannot define stupidity. Why is this so? Will we ever have a clear definition of stupidity? The film today was very interesting. It broke down words such as moron and idiot to a level that I have never thought about before. For the first time I was able to look at the true definitions of the words, not just how we use them today. It conveyed to the viewers different sides of stupidity and opened eyes to a subject that we overlook. It is something so simple but so complex. How can we refer to this everyday but yet have no idea what it means? I found the ideas of the film to be interesting and abstract.

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  2. This film was very interesting and brought up the question of what stupidity is. No one really knows what it is though but we use it everyday... I do not think we will ever have a set in stone definition of the word stupidity. The word is used in so many different situations like the ones Ashley mentioned above. It probably is different in every culture because not one country has exactly the same norms and laws as other countries. It seems stupid to not know what stupidity really is, but I feel that the definition changes as time passes. Like what might be considered stupid now might not be considered stupid in 10 years. I found it interesting how they categorized the words idiot and moron as part of the IQ test. This film really challenged the question of stupidity.

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  3. This film had me thinking about the reality TV show craze, and how the stupider they act, the better ratings they get. It also got me thinking about channels such as MTV with shows like 16 and Pregnant. It’s like watching a train wreck, terrible, but hard to take your eyes off of. I don’t watch MTV or a lot of TV for that matter because I use YouTube when I want to watch something, but a lot of what I watch are made by regular people, and are usually just as stupid, if not more so. For instance, the other day I was watching a video about an annoying orange, which is a character someone made up by splicing real eyes and a mouth to it to make it talk. I think that the reason why people act stupid is because they are sick of being bogged down with responsibility, and want to feel like life can be random, fun, and completely make no sense. As for watching others act stupid on TV, it’s good to have others to compare yourself to and say “well, at least I’m not as stupid as they are.”

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  4. I have to admit, after watching the segment on the concert (I forgot who the guy was) and its after affects (guys trashing cars and flashing the crowds), I got really, incredibly, angry! I seriously haven't been that angry in months. I left the classroom just filled with negative energy. See, in my opinion, we all have different views on what stupid is according to I'm not even sure what. What's annoying, what you've been brought up to believe, pet peeves? In the beginning of the film, when it was giving out possible definitions of what stupidity is, I heard them mention willful ignorance. I think willful ignorance encapsulates what stupidity is to me. I'm not talking saying people are stupid because they don't know everything, but rather that they don't think it's important enough to be informed about certain topics. People who believe that in life, the importance lies in drama, partying, boys, etc. instead of furthering yourself, or positively affecting others. I also think stupidity is when someone doesn't realize the importance that every action has a reaction, whether that reaction be positive or negative. It's stupid when someone knows that their action will receive a negative reaction, and fully accepts it, not caring who they'll affect. That's probably the reason I was so angered by the concert because the performer didn't care that he would influence crowds of drunk people to do the most pointless shit ever. What's the purpose of it?

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  5. The video that we watched in class Thursday on Stupidity shocked me in a lot of ways. The point it made that people who are smart and have high intelligence can in fact still be stupid. It was also interesting to see how people defined the words idiot, and moron. No one could explain what it meant but they all said they knew what being an idiot or moron was. It was also interesting to see how people how act’ stupid seem to be looked up to as what seem to be heroes or role models. Such as the guys in the movie “Jackass,” the guy Steveo even has his own show. Where all he did was so stupid and pointless things and people actual paid money to see this. I think that people need to start looking up to people who actually accomplish great things in their lives, instead of looking up to people who do nothing of value with their lives.

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  6. This movie really surprised me in many ways. I was very shocked at some of the scenes that were shown and the actions of others. Coming from a different country I am able to see two different aspects of the word stupid or stupidity. While I was younger the word stupid was very harsh and no one used it, back then stupid to me meant that one might not be so highly educated and might now grasp some things as fast as others. However, in our society today the word stupid has so many different definitions and it’s thrown around like the word "like", in most teens it’s a commonly used word and we use it in the wrong way. I was very surprised on some of the actions that people were doing in the movie. Such as; drunken fights, breaking cars, hurting yourself and others, being obnoxious. It shocked me how a clip of George Bush popped on to the screen. I have my own personal opinion on George Bush, however, he was a former president and I think that in a way that movie really disrespected him. But I do agree with the movie that many of us do not know the definition of stupid and we use it in our everyday language in mostly negative way.

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  7. I'm glad to see that the film has inspired some deeply felt responses. The film is pointing out a mainstream anti-intellectual tendency in America, a common mistrust of open dialogue and of thinking things through in a rigorous way. The film offers a pretty even-handed critique, though. There is Bush and Clinton acting stupid. I thought the point about how many young women may learn to act less intelligent than they are, in order to appear less threatening to young men, was pretty profound. IF you're upset by anything you saw in the film, write about it. If you didn't feel particularly affected, why not? Let's hear from more of you, whatever your responses might be.

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  8. This video made me almost feel ashamed of the human race. I feel like people "act" dumb to get attention. We give these people the attention they want which encourages them to make more stupid decisions.

    I guess I define stupidity as something someone does without thinking of the consequences or without rational for it. I feel like people do things and don't take responsibility for their actions. I feel like the smart people who are going to school are the ones who are acting stupid.

    This video kind of made me a little depressed about the world we live in and how we do things for stupid reasons. We don't really think before we "do".

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  9. I thought this movie was very interesting. It wasn't the typical that you see in classes. I thought it was cool because it made me think about what stupidity was, and I have no idea. No one knows for sure, but it's one of the most commonly used words these days. I definitely think it's possible for a highly educated person to be stupid or make stupid decisions. But who's to say those decisions are stupid, anyways? You could go around in circles all day trying to determine the answer. I think most "stupid" things occur when a person acts on impulse. If you think about your actions, most of the time you would talk yourself out of a stupid decision. Unless the person didn't think it was stupid at all since stupid means different to different people. I think the word depends on the person saying it and I don't think it will ever have a clear definition.

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  10. In the film, it seemed as though people could not define stupidity in one particular way. Perhaps stupidity is so difficult to define because it means something different to every person. So, how does one separate someone who is stupid from someone who is not? A person who is stupid does not think about the consequences of their actions, or someone who has considerably less intellect than one would expect in a certain situation. Everyone has the capability to be stupid but one’s stupidity is based on one’s behaviors and actions. Actions define stupidity as what it is.

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  11. The movie brings out a pretty good point. What is Stupidity? Can it really be defined? Not really...sure I bet you'll be able to find a definition in the Webster Dictionary but I doubt that really accurate. The word stupid can mean anything to anyone. What i find stupid someone may find amazing...nothing will ever be classified by the entire population.
    I was reading Melanie's post and I was sorta laughing because I believe she was talking about Steve-O and I don't get how it made her mad (note I'm not poking fun or saying anything bad just blogging...nicely i might add). I guess you have to have the right sense of humor to get what Steve-O does and his ways. For me I love the guy. I loved to watch Wildboys, and Jackass! The movies were sick....I guess I just like that humor...very funny. Maybe the people on the car thing was a bit stupid because you can get hurt and other people can...not to mention other people (bystanders) are going to get a little weirded out lol.
    So stupidity...a word which cannot be defined and will never be able to find. Oh as a random side note, the word stupid is like the word nice. I remember in the film that the word stupid used to be a compliment and now its an insult. well way back in Shakespearean time nice used to mean foolish (an insult) and now its a compliment...a total switcharoo. Yes random side note but I just find it funny how those to words switched around over the years lol.

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  12. The film was kind of intresting because we were seeing what "we" as people do in a everyday but in a different point of view. Many of the shows and movies i watch have to do with stupidity and just to see this film it makes me see that the thing are just really stupid and question myself "what the hell am i doing watching this?". But that film also made me feel stupid and just in a lower perspective, when they were talking about idiots, morrons and imbecil they just were like people who do certain things are catogorised as that and i dont feel like that was right to catagorise people into certain positions because of what they do. There is more to people than just actions.

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  13. I think stupidity is the fastest way to get attention from other people around you. Stupidity isn't meant to be viewed as accepted, liked or even followed, but to the that initial reaction. The more attention you get on yourself, the more you're going to be remembered. Like the video, one guy flashed everyone by pulling down his pants on top of a car.
    Being stupid is hard to define. In my opinion it's when people are acting carelessly and not using their common sense. Think about it, when someone isn't using their common sense, they will be willing to do something for attention. Like jump off a rooftop with cardboard wings to see if they will fly. That's stupid and the person probably thought it wasn't the best thing to do, but they did it for attention and the lack of common sense holding them back from doing it in the first place.

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  14. I enjoyed that in the video, they shared that there is no TRUE 100% meanin to the word stupidity. "stupid" varies and changes according to the person defining it, and their personal experiences. The word "Love" for example; when I say the word lov, it passes out of my mouth taking with it how I feel/think/touch/experience love...but as soon as it hits your ear and goes into your brain, all of your feelings/experiences/meanings take over it, and give you your own individual definition..although we have a mutual understanding of eachother, te word is not in stone. stupidity depends on ones morals/beleifs/ideals/ and standards. As for all the words like idiot, moron, dunce; although yo can point to an origin, and THAT may have a definition; the words arent used accroding to their original meaning anymore. Ignorance is the word that I would use. When you plug your ears and eyes, you are dnying yourself knowledge and understanding of all.

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  15. Stupidity is "being in a car at 100mph headed toward a brick wall & arguing about where to sit". I really liked this line from the movie, it sums up my personal definition of stupid.Stupidity is calling someone else stupid and not realizing how ineffective such a vague insult is NOR realizing that we shouldn't waste our breath insulting each other.

    Also... I don't think it's odd to get angry after watching Jackass. I don't think it's horrible to laugh, either...although there are many forms of comedy I'd rather watch! we definitely should approach life with a sense of humor- if i'm feeling 'off' at work, it's best solved by joking around with a coworker. We should accept/laugh at our flaws. Flaws are normal but stupidity doesn't have anything to do with them; it's more about doing things we know are wrong for bad reasons like craving greed/attention. There's SO many kids who can flip on the TV & see crap like this & want to imitate it. If I was Steve-O I probably would've stopped after the first inspired teen got seriously injured...I don't know about him, but I wouldn't want that on my conscience.

    Stupidity is nonthreatening, safe, and can be funny to some. It can make you the center of attention...However the movie was right in saying that people have to work hard to stay stupid in a society with so much information everywhere. Stupidity is a state of mind not an IQ level.

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  16. Also...James mentioned how some young women might try to appear less intelligent& I definitely relate to this... I was always teased in early middle school for getting good grades/being a teacher's 'favorite' & it made me feel guilty and pretentious and doubtful of who I was. I liked sports *and* reading so was thus between two groups of 'super cool' 7th graders who teased the *nerds* and the interesting kids with offbeat interests who saw right through the rudeness of the others. It was a confusing loyalty tugofwar and I probably made some bad decisions about who I spent my time with...
    Now? My group of friends can't be identified by any common thread other than the fact that everyone is interesting/unique&open. Knowledge is valued because it indicates a real idenity with interests and gives something to contribute to conversation. Society shouldnt be set up so that little naive kids who don't know what they're doing learn from media/older siblings to rally against intelligence. I mean, if television shows promote stupidity as a positive trait and link it to popularity- there is definitely a logical motive of dumbing down society so that they keep contributing to the wealth of corporations. Its something to think about.

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  17. I thought the video was very well made and had a lot of different points and ideas that could help describe what stupidity is. But only help us figure out the idea of stupidity, not what it actually means. As we can tell from the movie, there is no persistant definition of the word stupid, it is such a hard word to define. We always here "that was so stupid" or "how could you be so stupid?" But this term can be used in many ways. As we saw during the Jackass scene, people call it stupid, but it's a stupid that people enjoy greatly.

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  18. The movie on stupidity definitely captured my attention. I knew that people are stupid, but I have never realized how stupid some people really are, firsthand. The self destructive, dangerous, attention getting stunts I saw in the movie really made me feel embarrassed not only for the person performing them, but for our generation as a whole. Other generations look at the the TV shows and they see the stupid and insane things teens of our generation do. It taints our entire generation, not just the people being stupid. I don't understand why self destruction and mutilation at some extent, is funny. I feel that the youth of today needs to take a look in the mirror, and take a good look at themselves and see that they are on a path to destruction if they continue to act the way they are.

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  19. I found this film hard to follow/pay attention to, but I enjoyed listening to how everyone had their own definition for "stupidity" because there is really no true meaning to it.
    The movie also brought up the point of how in this day and age we have access to all different sources of knowledge yet so many people are still "dumb"
    I definitely agreed with this because they were saying that TV plays a major role in the dumbing down of our generation. Instead of watching shows that benefit us, we choose to watch reality shows, or comedic shows that are "stupid" funny. It's almost as if you're not cool, unless you're stupid because thats what everyone likes. Everyone likes to watch these shows, or imitate these people.
    Because of this, children are growing up with worse influences. They're young, so they imitate those they see...and if they're watching adults who act moronic, or they are watching idiotic shows, then they will turn out the same way.

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  20. Stupidity...is something that everyone is subjected to- yet almost no one can define it. The movie really intrigued me when it brought in the reality that so many people throw around the word stupid but do not actually know what it means. I believe that there are many perceptions as to what stupidity is and therefore people use the word in different ways for different meanings...ultimately creating a problem to provide a true definition to the word in which everyone can stand by.

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  21. I liked the movie quite a bit. It was right up my alley. I liked how we got some history on words that we use and have no idea where they come from or how they came about, or thier defenitions. I didn't much care for some of the scene transitions, I felt that it was a bit too racey and flashy. In some scenes I felt like they were trying to give me a seziure. Other then some of the visuale affects I liked the movie. I was quite dissapointed when we had to stop just as it was getting to the George Bush part. That would have been fun.

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