Discussion about this post

User's avatar
Al Bellenchia's avatar

“…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.” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Sadly, we have both in one…

Expand full comment
Francoise Jaffe's avatar

Growing up in Europe, there was always a sense that the average American was naive and simplistic, but with a strong sense of right and wrong, which would prevail in the end, a myth perpetuated by Hollywood (at least the last part of it!) A large part of the population seems to have lost that moral compass, for many reasons that we are still trying to elucidate. Other myths (which were also foundational) have taken over: Individualism and the survival of the fittest at all costs, disdain for the "weak", idealization of the "self made man", accumulation of wealth as the purpose of work. Social media has killed the need for community, creating an artificial one where the difficulties of real relationships can be skirted. Subtleties and complexities are gone. So here we are....

Expand full comment
49 more comments...

No posts