NationStates Jolt Archive

On a scale 1 to 10 (10 being highest) how stupid do you think the general public is???

please note... this is not aimed at any one contry or person

I don't believe in a stupidy as a generalization of a segment of the population. A better option would to ask how ignorant is the general public and I'd put that at an 8.

The General Public needs to be informed more often than not. It seems like the government controls everything.

Very. I have very little faith in the public. I theink they are hysterical, over emotional and frankly useless. Indivuduals are ok, but people as a whole I consider stupid an ill-informed

On a scale 1 to 10 (10 being highest) how stupid do you think the general public is???

please note... this is not aimed at any one contry or personWell, isn't stupidity relative? And when you mean the "general public", I assume that you mean an average of everyone in the public... so therefore, on a 10-point scale, I choose 5 because that ought to be average.

Define "stupidity".

Well, isn't stupidity relative? And when you mean the "general public", I assume that you mean an average of everyone in the public... so therefore, on a 10-point scale, I choose 5 because that ought to be average.
don't you just hate smart-arses

I voted 9

don't you just hate smart-arsesWell, ask a dumb question...

The logical answer is 5. Almost everything related to humans seems to magically fall along the Normal Curve right? So taking humanity as a whole, ie the general public, the proper answer is the middle; thus 5.

Though what this poll will, I predict, do is show the arrogance of this board by leaning heavily in the 5+ direction. After all everyone here is going to say the general public, ie everyone but themselves, is clearly an idiot.

the general public understands pretty well, but the information that is given is often times misleading and the wrong information. Kinda like in some movies where you see them rewriting newspapers and movies and such to cover over things.

Between the media, corrupt governments, and tyrannical religious orders, most of the information of the world isn't free, and it isn't handed out to just anyone.

Well, isn't stupidity relative? And when you mean the "general public", I assume that you mean an average of everyone in the public... so therefore, on a 10-point scale, I choose 5 because that ought to be average.

So taking humanity as a whole, ie the general public, the proper answer is the middle; thus 5.


Incorrect: the average (and thus the mid point) of the numbers one through ten is not 5, but instead 5.5. Do the maths.

Will this be a thread where Dav attempts to justify his elitism?

A person is rather intelligent really. Alone or in small groups they are quite resourceful. Once you get into populations, or the "general public" you see a mob mentality start to form and the IQ slowly drops...

Is 10 the highest level of intelligence, or the highest level of stupidity?

A person is rather intelligent really. Alone or in small groups they are quite resourceful. Once you get into populations, or the "general public" you see a mob mentality start to form and the IQ slowly drops...

So the population of the United States are less smart than the population of, for example, North Korea?

Is 10 the highest level of intelligence, or the highest level of stupidity?

Hint: the clue is in the question:

On a scale 1 to 10 (10 being highest) how stupid do you think the general public is???

Hint: the clue is in the question:
Got it. I think I register on the high end of the scale today.

"Insanity in individuals is something rare, but in groups, parties, nations, and epochs it is the rule."

-Nietzsche (sp?)

-Nietzsche (sp?)

Yup, the spelling is right: but note how he is talking about insanity (ie. delusion) rather than intelligence/stupidity. The two are very different things, and for Nietzsche an argument can be made that all societies at all times are in fact 'insane', in that they create values for themselves or inherit them from their ancestors and believe them to actually be 'true'.

Incorrect: the average (and thus the mid point) of the numbers one through ten is not 5, but instead 5.5. Do the maths.
This appears to be measured in integers, as such, the the mean and median would round up to 6.

Sometimes I don't think the human population could get any stupider; other times I find myself impressed by the level of human insight. Maybe intelligence is relative or something.

So the population of the United States are less smart than the population of, for example, North Korea?

Perhaps I should rephrase.

Individual>Society in terms of intelligence.

Nope sorry, individuals are FAR stupider then the masses. Mediocrity by nature is the rule, stupidity is the exception to the rule, as is superior intelligence.

As was previously stated this thread will only demonstrate the arrogance of this forums inhabitants, this is very true. In addition to that, one of the most pathetic tendencies of Humans is to disassociate one's self from the rest of our own race and endlessly criticize the rest for the very flaws that dominate us as individuals. Very, very pathetic.

Have fun guys.

Wait, the lesser the number, the smarter the people... ehm I voted wrong... eeeeh... I'm not stupid!

"given the freedom to do as they choose, most people choose to immitate others"

people blame "the government" as "a conspiracy" is taking over the world when the truth is, we gave it to them.

The best & most powerfull reason why private citizens should be allowed to bare arms is to protect the nation from tyranny in any form.

But anyone who is prepared to use force to effect political change is called a Nut, or a danger and locked up.

The general public will give away anything to anyone who sounds like he knows what he's talking about, the leaders of the world are simply people with the education and most of all, motivation, to lead. There's no requrement to be evil, that just helps fend of other motivated people!

Nope sorry, individuals are FAR stupider then the masses. Mediocrity by nature is the rule, stupidity is the exception to the rule, as is superior intelligence.

As was previously stated this thread will only demonstrate the arrogance of this forums inhabitants, this is very true. In addition to that, one of the most pathetic tendencies of Humans is to disassociate one's self from the rest of our own race and endlessly criticize the rest for the very flaws that dominate us as individuals. Very, very pathetic.

Have fun guys.

I think the idea he was trying to get across is that people, on their own, tend to be more rational than they are when they get together in big groups.

Because of what I've encountered and have heard about through the media I'd say 99% of people are tards. I voted 9. Most of my cats are smarter than a lot of people I have to talk to.

I think people underestimate the general public as a whole. Sure, there are some complete dunderheads out there, but most people are highly rational, and can put two and two together to get four.

People aren't stupid so much as they're herd animals. They follow the leader, even if the leader is indecisive, moronic, or a former head of the KGB.
(bonus points to the person who names the three leaders)

I think people underestimate the general public as a whole. Sure, there are some complete dunderheads out there, but most people are highly rational, and can put two and two together to get four.

Yes, but can a comittee of people put 2 and 2 together to get 4? Remember, a camel is simply a racehorse designed by comittee.

Yes, but can a comittee of people put 2 and 2 together to get 4? Remember, a camel is simply a racehorse designed by comittee.

Okay, what?

Incorrect: the average (and thus the mid point) of the numbers one through ten is not 5, but instead 5.5. Do the maths.In case you didn't notice, 5.5 wasn't an option on the poll. Because I was forced to err on one side or the other, I erred on the side of generosity (saying the general public was less dumb than 5.5).

Okay, what?

Well, the way a committe works, different members push items they think are important. A camel has many of these- long legs, for maximum speed, double eyelids, so that the dust of the track doesn't distract it, increased storage capacity for water, etc.
Basically, an example of the whole being less than the sum of the parts.

I think this breaks down better into a question of relativity. I think that humans are smart technologically, we strive to ease ourselves into a longer happier life by surrounding ourselves with tools designed to make life 'easier'. But for the most part - we are stupid for the same reasons.

There is a small and declining number of people in the world that harbor the understanding that we cannot produce in any factory the things which can make us truly happy and better people. This number diminishes even further when those who understand this concept are seperated into those who practice it and those who do not.

For all of our worldy accomplishments - we have yet to gain as much as we ought to have, and strangely enough, it is quite often a result of our so called accomplishments that we haven't yet. Its not that I think humans aren't or cannot be a happy beast - but we can never be satisfied - and so in relative terms I sometimes think we are more simple than that which we would otherwise call the most primative beast.

Lo! I teach you the overman. Man is something that shall be overcome. What have you done to overcome him? All beings created hitherto have created something beyond themselves; and do you want to be the ebb of this great flood and even go back to the beasts rather than overcome man? What is the ape to man? A laughingstock or a painful embarrassment. And man shall be just that for the overman: a laughingstock or a painful embarrassment...

Man is the cruelest animal. At tragedies, bullfights, and crucifixions he has so far felt best on earth; and when he invented hell for himself, behold, that was his very heaven.

You're obliged to pretend respect for people and institutions you think absurd. You live attached in a cowardly fashion to moral and social conventions you despise, condemn, and know lack all foundation. It is that permanent contradiction between your ideas and desires and all the dead formalities and vain pretenses of your civilization which makes you sad, troubled and unbalanced. In that intolerable conflict you lose all joy of life and all feeling of personality, because at every moment they suppress and restrain and check the free play of your powers. That's the poisoned and mortal wound of the civilized world.

People aren't stupid so much as they're herd animals. They follow the leader, even if the leader is indecisive, moronic, or a former head of the KGB.
(bonus points to the person who names the three leaders)
To be honest the first two are fairly general, I'm sure there are plenty of world leaders that can be described as indecisice or moronic. ;)

The former KGB leader is a bit tighter though :)

I don't believe in a stupidy as a generalization of a segment of the population. A better option would to ask how ignorant is the general public and I'd put that at an 8.

Very well said. I guess I don't need to comment further...

--snip--

Lasc, I agree wholeheartedly. :)

I think the idea he was trying to get across is that people, on their own, tend to be more rational than they are when they get together in big groups.


Cause we all know dictators make the best decisions. >.>

Lasc, I agree wholeheartedly. :)
Kanabia - the saddest thing is that I am included within the throng.

I am, by no uncertain standards, yet another consumer. It breaks my heart to think that we, as a generalization of humankind, take so much pride in the overt servitude and dedication granted towards the manufacture of our own misery. How absurd, the concept of destroying nature to re-create what we admit we cannot? I know there are some who are worse for the wanton chaos of this mess than others... but to some extent we are all guilty - and thus we share in the blame. I'll not be painting anyone with a tarnished brush at any time in my near future - not until Im clean myself.

I realize that this is an over generalization of the question asked - but in all honesty I do beleive it is the best answer I could give. Humans are a simple beast, riddled with the fault of thinking otherwise. Who among us hasn't in some way proclaimed our own worth by looking down on the shortcomings of others in some way? We are a beautiful, but a sad and unfortunate creature in so many ways.

Well, someone I know said that petrol was an alcohol the other day, so I'll have to say a solid 6.

As stupid as they choose to be. No more, no less.

7 Most people aren't rocket scientists. They have potential to be fairly smart, but they let themselves be easily distracted. For example, there are plenty of people who can't tell you who their congressman is, but can name every member on their favorite baseball, basketball, and football team. The potential is there, but it's not applied to things that make a real difference.

@Topic:

When I talk to single persons, they usually seem quite intelligent. Most of them are not interested in science, politics and philosophy, but if they were, they could probably understand most of it.

Yet when I see in the news that "the masses" accept even the boldest lies as unquestionable truth I ask myself how intelligent individuals can become so stupid when combined. I cannot believe that my friends and I are so much more intelligent than the average, so I suppose it might be that most people just do not care what happens around them.
The politicians want to pass a law? Fine. As long as the taxes do not rise too fast. We are going to war? A pity, but I rather want to meet with friends and have some fun than do something about it.


Its not that I think humans aren't or cannot be a happy beast - but we can never be satisfied.

Well, although I agree on the other parts of your great posting, this statement contradicts my own personal experience (and Epicurus' great philosophy). We can be satisfied, even if it might sometimes not seem easy. Sometimes my most painful desires have disappeared because I realized that I had everything I needed to be happy. Then I was not only content with what I had, but really did not want anything else.

Cause we all know dictators make the best decisions. >.>

Benevolent ones do, because they dont need to worry about making the stupid masses happy enough to vote them in, they can worry about their own plans for the country. Its compromise between politicians and politicians, and politicians and people, which force leaders to compromise their plans into an unworkable mess.

@Topic:

When I talk to single persons, they usually seem quite intelligent. Most of them are not interested in science, politics and philosophy, but if they were, they could probably understand most of it.

Yet when I see in the news that "the masses" accept even the boldest lies as unquestionable truth I ask myself how intelligent individuals can become so stupid when combined. I cannot believe that my friends and I are so much more intelligent than the average, so I suppose it might be that most people just do not care what happens around them.
The politicians want to pass a law? Fine. As long as the taxes do not rise too fast. We are going to war? A pity, but I rather want to meet with friends and have some fun than do something about it.

Well, although I agree on the other parts of your great posting, this statement contradicts my own personal experience (and Epicurus' great philosophy). We can be satisfied, even if it might sometimes not seem easy. Sometimes my most painful desires have disappeared because I realized that I had everything I needed to be happy. Then I was not only content with what I had, but really did not want anything else.
Thank you for the compliment - it is appreciated. I do however feel that it is pertinent to point out a subtle hypocrasy within, which plaugues the general conception of contentedness. If we are truly satisfied, and if we find ourselves wanting of nothing at all - then we want not even the continuance of our own satisfaction. It is an impractical impossibility to want nothing - and surely you concede that even at a point in your life when you felt thus satisfied, a want for something which changed that emotion?

The complexity of this problem, and of Epicurian philosophy is astounding.

The problem with humans, and that which I feel makes us so simple - is that we provide ourselves this false sense of satisfaction by means that other simple animals have no grasp of... and yet they, it would seem, have found in much more organic ways - a means to find this same satisfaction.

The simple fact that in this and so many other statements, the concept of war and politics have been brought up as examples of either our intelligence (or in the case of those not understanding popular beleifs therein, lack thereof) clearly illustrates the point I am trying to make here. We seem perhaps less intelligent, for trying to convince ourselves that we are smarter for these and so many other devices of our own undoing. As Nietzsche said, we laugh at the apes, for we have overcome them - we too will be overcome... but perhaps we have not gained anything in that other than providing ourselves with more technical and dramatic ways to feel the same lack of satisfaction.

Does building the atomic bomb prove our intelligence? Or perhaps, does building the atomic bomb when we havent the reason and logic to truly understand the magnitude of out own might, disprove our intelligence?

People aren't stupid so much as they're herd animals. They follow the leader, even if the leader is indecisive, moronic, or a former head of the KGB.
(bonus points to the person who names the three leaders)

Tony Blair, George Bush, Vladimir Putin
Indecisive Moronic KGB

Tony Blair, George Bush, Vladimir Putin
Indecisive Moronic KGB

I guess Blair fits. I was actually thinking Paul Martin, just to throw everybody off.

I voted 7 - but I also prefer to put it on an " ignorance " scale, rather than stupidity.

Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.

At least two thirds of our miseries spring from human stupidity, human malice and those great motivators and justifiers of malice and stupidity, idealism, dogmatism and proselytizing zeal on behalf of religious or political idols.

Two more quotes and a [/bump] to keep this going!! :)

It is an impractical impossibility to want nothing

Well, you're right in some sense, but it depends on how you define "wanting". When I say that it is possible to achieve a state of not wanting anything, I define "want" as an unfulfilled desire. Everytime I am totally content, usually when I'm somewhere outside at night, enjoying the nature, I don't fear that I might ever lose what I need to be happy (as all I need is a special attitude towards life). As I do believe that whatever comes after death is at least as good as life I don't even fear that I might die. In that sense I really don't want anything then.


The problem with humans, and that which I feel makes us so simple - is that we provide ourselves this false sense of satisfaction by means that other simple animals have no grasp of... and yet they, it would seem, have found in much more organic ways - a means to find this same satisfaction.

What do you mean with "false sense of satisfaction"? It seems to me that the unnatural means by which we usually try to become happy don't lead to real satisfaction at all. Their main use seems to be anaesthetization so that we don't feel emptiness inside all the time.


Does building the atomic bomb prove our intelligence? Or perhaps, does building the atomic bomb when we havent the reason and logic to truly understand the magnitude of out own might, disprove our intelligence?

Well, I'd say both statements are true. Building the atomic bomb proves our the superiority of our logical skills and our scientific progress, but it also proves our foolishness when it comes to making reasonable decisions.