“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. Evil always carries within itself the germ of its own subversion in that it leaves behind in human beings at least a sense of unease. 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 than with a malicious one. Never again will we try to persuade the stupid person with reasons, for it is senseless and dangerous.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, from ‘After Ten Years’ in Letters and Papers from Prison
The problem with most stupid people is that they not only don’t know they are stupid but actually believe they’re the smart ones.
The Dunning-Kruger Effect
https://curiosity.com/topics/the-dunning-kruger-effect-is-why-incompetent-people-think-theyre-great-curiosity/
SPOT ON!!!!!!!!!!
Nah. Stupidity is not a motivation. Malice, in all its forms is. That said, malice is often stupid & compartmentalization – “borders” (other than private property) – is an atrophying crutch is….stupid. Also, malicious types are very fond of using stupidity, real or insisted, of others, as justification for their malice & machinations. All the worlds a screen & the projectionists have been playing the same flick forever.