The Age of Idiocy

[LDAHL]

Last night, some friends and I were talking about the high tolerance for idiocy our society has developed. Not just the Trumpers and Orange Man Bad camps, but all over.

Gender reveal parties. Especially those that kindle major wildfires.

Racial/gender quotas for the Oscars.

A sort of historical re-enactment of the Paris Commune; taken seriously by a rage-monetizing media.

Jane Fonda emerging from the ancient dust of history to announce she can no longer be friends with Jon Voigt due to his unsavory politics. Ho, yes. Che, yes. Jim Jones, most certainly. But not Jon.

Seattle schools looking at revising its math education program to teach how math is a tool of oppression for racist hegemony. They call it “Mathematx”.

Designated hitters in the National League.

I tried to argue that these things are generally the work of noisy but culturally insignificant outliers, but I was shouted down by the cultural declinists, who insisted that the first hard rap by the barbarians will topple the whole rotten structure. Personally, I still think we have good bones underneath and will eventually shake it off.

[catherine]

Maybe it's a function of our slipping status on the Social Progress Index.

From Nicholas Kristof:
The newest Social Progress Index, shared with me before its official release Thursday morning, finds that out of 163 countries assessed worldwide, the United States, Brazil and Hungary are the only ones in which people are worse off than when the index began in 2011. And the declines in Brazil and Hungary were smaller than America’s.

The index, inspired by research of Nobel-winning economists, collects 50 metrics of well-being — nutrition, safety, freedom, the environment, health, education and more — to measure quality of life. Norway comes out on top in the 2020 edition, followed by Denmark, Finland and New Zealand. South Sudan is at the bottom, with Chad, Central African Republic and Eritrea just behind.

The United States, despite its immense wealth, military power and cultural influence, ranks 28th — having slipped from 19th in 2011. The index now puts the United States behind significantly poorer countries, including Estonia, Czech Republic, Cyprus and Greece.


Maybe what is idiotic is that we can't figure out a way to make healthcare affordable, even though there are over a dozen countries who have provided working models. Or we spend tons of taxpayer money on subsidies that decimate the environment and make people sick, just because corporations like Nestle, Monsanto and General Mills want us to and are willing to pay our leaders off. I'll take the idiocy of a gender reveal party over this kind of idiocy.

[Teacher Terry]

I totally agree Catherine!

[ApatheticNoMore]

People are supposedly getting more intelligent over time (per IQ, yes I know). Yes, a few people repeating Trump nonsense online and one is like how can this possibly be true? I mean conspiracy theories used to be thoughtful at least, and now they are just Trump "brain" droppings (from his swiss cheese brain) of ranting idiocy (take oleander for covid! masks will kill you!). We are literally being subjected to Steve Bannon's flood the zone with @#$# with the Trump administration and that's probably why it seems people are getting dumber. But much of that may be bots, or not young (and thus the people getting smarter over time isn't applicable).

Not that a society falling apart like the U.S. is, as Catherine points out, doesn't have some fallout, even despite average intelligence maybe improving.

[SteveinMN]

When I first saw the movie "Idiocracy" I did not consider it a work of fiction.

[JaneV2.0]

A lot of the ridiculous-on-their-face conspiracy theories are being promulgated and spread by Russian disinformation teams.

[iris lilies]

A lot of the ridiculous-on-their-face conspiracy theories are being promulgated and spread by Russian disinformation teams.
Where do you think I am seeing this information?

[JaneV2.0]

I have no idea; it spreads outward from Russian agents/bots to gullible news agencies (i.e. Fox) and beyond.

ETA: You can read up on their methods on NPR and other legitimate outlets. They've been at it for years.

[Gardnr]

you mean like not wearing masks or social distancing to mitigate the spread of COVID?

[JaneV2.0]

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/28/us/politics/russia-disinformation-coronavirus.html

Declassified U.S. intelligence accuses Moscow of pushing propaganda through alternative websites as Russia refines techniques used in 2016.
Russia has been spreading disinformation and propaganda about the pandemic, according to U.S. intelligence.

By Julian E. Barnes and David E. Sanger
July 28, 2020

WASHINGTON — Russian intelligence services have been spreading disinformation about the coronavirus pandemic, according to newly declassified intelligence, material that demonstrates how Moscow is continuing to try to influence Americans as the election draws closer.

Russian military intelligence, known as the G.R.U., has used its ties with a Russian government information center, InfoRos, and other websites to push out English-language disinformation and propaganda about the pandemic, such as amplifying false Chinese arguments that the virus was created by the United States military and articles that said Russia’s medical assistance could bring a new détente with Washington.

[ApatheticNoMore]

you mean like not wearing masks or social distancing to mitigate the spread of COVID?

or like blaming antifa for forest fires.

really the zone is so completely flooded with @#$# since Trump, that you can just hope most people believe none of it. Because it's mass stupid, and not of the subtle sort (not the oh well reasonable people are sometimes taken in by cleverly crafted BS type - no it's not subtle), but as a STRATEGY.

https://theintercept.com/2020/09/10/oregon-police-beg-public-stop-calling-false-reports-blaming-antifa-wildfires/

[iris lilies]

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/28/us/politics/russia-disinformation-coronavirus.html

Declassified U.S. intelligence accuses Moscow of pushing propaganda through alternative websites as Russia refines techniques used in 2016.
Russia has been spreading disinformation and propaganda about the pandemic, according to U.S. intelligence.

By Julian E. Barnes and David E. Sanger
July 28, 2020

WASHINGTON — Russian intelligence services have been spreading disinformation about the coronavirus pandemic, according to newly declassified intelligence, material that demonstrates how Moscow is continuing to try to influence Americans as the election draws closer.

Russian military intelligence, known as the G.R.U., has used its ties with a Russian government information center, InfoRos, and other websites to push out English-language disinformation and propaganda about the pandemic, such as amplifying false Chinese arguments that the virus was created by the United States military and articles that said Russia’s medical assistance could bring a new détente with Washington.
Ok. So this is the first I have heard that the U.S. military is responsible for creating Covid19 virus. The very first.

I would say, from this, that the Ruskies are not very goid at their disinformation campaign.

[JaneV2.0]

Ok. So this is the first I have heard that the U.S. military is responsible for creating Covid19 virus. The very first.

I would say, from this, that the Ruskies are not very goid at their disinformation campaign.

Yeah--I've mostly heard about the Gates/Fauci conspiracy to vaccinate everyone with tracker chips or something. Trump spreads a lot of them himself, given an opportunity--like COVID19 is a hoax concocted by Democrats (and it will go away after the election).

ETA: There's also the very involved "Everyone in Hollywood is part of a pedophile ring" story that apparently coincides with the "Hillary Clinton runs a pedo ring out of a Pizza parlor" fable. "The wackier, the better" seems to be the motto for these tales.

[iris lilies]

Is the Wayfair child trafficking blowout started by Russians? I have only a vague recollection ofBill Gates being blamed for wanting to chip us.

By talking about this dumbass fringe stuff here, we give it legitimacy. I am glad I dont hear about this ki d of thing.

[JaneV2.0]

By pointing out what is behind these outrageous lies, we expose them for what they are.

[JaneV2.0]

Re the Wayfair cabinet story which I hadn't heard of):

https://www.complex.com/life/wildest-conspiracy-theories-right-now

This article also showcases QAnon and other bad actors.

"At its core, QAnon is a far-right theory centered around Donald Trump, a supposed cabal of celebrity sex traffickers, and “the deep state.” The fact-free fascination is the work of an anonymous (that’s the anon part) 4Chan poster named Q. Since 2017, Q—who claims to be a government employee with top-secret security clearance—has left cryptic breadcrumbs, puzzles, and clues aimed at ardent followers. Using wild speculation and deductive skills untethered from reality to break down those hints, QAnon followers have constructed a worldview in which president Trump is leading a hidden crusade against a well-connected network of child predators in the media, government, and Hollywood."

[Alan]

By pointing out what is behind these outrageous lies, we expose them for what they are.
I suspect it's more click bait disguised as infotainment than ruthless actors trying to deny Joe Biden his rightful place as our next President or promoting Bad Orange Man™. But then again I'm apparently not exposed to enough of it to have a firm opinion.

[JaneV2.0]

It seems to me if the Russians are willing to devote whole bureaus to disseminating this stuff, it's more than clickbait. I doubt they'd be willing to spend so much money for little or no return. There are many legitimate sources pointing this out.

[bae]

I'm reading this book right now, and find it helpful:

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51yplazIt-L.jpg

[catherine]

I'm reading this book right now, and find it helpful:

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51yplazIt-L.jpg

That looks awesome!

I know I am not immune to my own confirmation bias, but it is interesting and frustrating at the same time how and why people cling to their version of the truth--and in this day and age when wild and insane FB memes are a click away at any given time, it's not just interesting--it's really scary.

[Tradd]

People are just plain stupid and ignorant these days. Everything seems to cater to the lowest common denominator. A lot less people read. Low information voters? Ha, talk about NO information voters. More people seem to get their news from social media. They're not just ignorant, they're dang near illiterate. Definitely ill-educated.

I'm a moderate conservative. I look at both ends of the spectrum and ask WTF are they smoking? The far right is as bad as the far left.

[sweetana3]

Tradd, I keep saying the same thing. There are so many sources of good information out there. i keep posting sources for all the simplistic posts that keep popping up on FB. Some support and some are highly critical. A couple of people have actually deleted the bad info they were posting. I hope they learned how to check first.

I get most of my news from overseas sources and the NYT and Washington Post. At least they provide more infomation than a sound bite. Our local paper was bought by the owners of USAToday and is hopeless.

Our TV news is mostly sensational stories from somewhere else or reading what the police or fire dept put on on their own pages. No actual reporting seems to be done.

I get my Covid news from This Week in Virology, Medcram and several medical society grand rounds they post on Youtube. Actual scientists and medical professionals discussing the various aspects of the latest info and how it applies to them and their patients. Nice variety of opinion and no hiding of info.

[razz]

OK people, be careful. I have seen too many situations where anger from aggravation coloured one's life and took the joy out of it. Plan aggressively for some regular down time with people or activities you really enjoy and that remind you that life is really good.
It is so easy to be angry and annoyed but it takes effort to do the opposite which is so much better for you and those around you. Hard experience talking here.

[Tybee]

OK people, be careful. I have seen too many situations where anger from aggravation coloured one's life and took the joy out of it. Plan aggressively for some regular down time with people or activities you really enjoy and that remind you that life is really good.
It is so easy to be angry and annoyed but it takes effort to do the opposite which is so much better for you and those around you. Hard experience talking here.

Razz, I love this post. Thank you, I needed to hear this for myself; it's been an aggravating week.

[Teacher Terry]

Razz, that’s great advice! I am not letting anything steal my joy. I am enjoying connecting with family and friends just not in large groups. Our lives are having some semblance of normalcy.

[rosarugosa]

OK people, be careful. I have seen too many situations where anger from aggravation coloured one's life and took the joy out of it. Plan aggressively for some regular down time with people or activities you really enjoy and that remind you that life is really good.
It is so easy to be angry and annoyed but it takes effort to do the opposite which is so much better for you and those around you. Hard experience talking here.

This is great advice, Razz. There really is an element of choice involved as to whether you find your fellow humans to be a source of joy or annoyance.

[Tradd]

I have my diving. Go pretty much every weekend. Working from home has really reduced my contact with people.

[Rogar]

OK people, be careful. I have seen too many situations where anger from aggravation coloured one's life and took the joy out of it. Plan aggressively for some regular down time with people or activities you really enjoy and that remind you that life is really good.
It is so easy to be angry and annoyed but it takes effort to do the opposite which is so much better for you and those around you. Hard experience talking here.

Good thought. I am not totally immune to that and have to watch myself, but have a friend who seems to be stuck in general state of aggravation, and recent politics and health concerns have made it worse. Oddly enough I almost think some people get some sort of consolation from being angry. I could also identify something like a false sense of superiority where our ego compensates for insecurities and makes it easier to label others as lesser people.

[Tybee]

Good thought. I am not totally immune to that and have to watch myself, but have a friend who seems to be stuck in general state of aggravation, and recent politics and health concerns have made it worse. Oddly enough I almost think some people get some sort of consolation from being angry. I could also identify something like a false sense of superiority where our ego compensates for insecurities and makes it easier to label others as lesser people.

I think that is very true, Rogar. I think the anger feels more powerful than the sorrow, confusion, or grief that is so often the alternative.

[catherine]

Yes, razz, great post.

I find the best way to deal with the frustrations of "idiocy" is to unplug. I never watch the news anymore. In fact my TV watching is way down. My home page is set to the NYT so it's not like I don't get any news. I can read headlines and get a gist of what's going on. I am doing less and less FB. Scrolling through Facebook is like lighting a match to ignite aggravation and anger.

[happystuff]

This is great advice, Razz. There really is an element of choice involved as to whether you find your fellow humans to be a source of joy or annoyance.

Definitely agree to both this and to your post, razz.

[rosarugosa]

I think that is very true, Rogar. I think the anger feels more powerful than the sorrow, confusion, or grief that is so often the alternative.

Yes, both Tybee and Rogar. Some folks almost seem to cherish and nurture their anger.

[iris lilies]

Yes, razz, great post.

I find the best way to deal with the frustrations of "idiocy" is to unplug. I never watch the news anymore. In fact my TV watching is way down. My home page is set to the NYT so it's not like I don't get any news. I can read headlines and get a gist of what's going on. I am doing less and less FB. Scrolling through Facebook is like lighting a match to ignite aggravation and anger.

I have to use Facebook because that is the primary way my bulldog group communicates. But I have it set to rainbows, puppies, and flowers, more or less. I turn off newsfeed from my political friends. Sometimes I will go out and read their pages, but their posts are not coming into my daily feed.

I only get daily pictures of bulldogs, Iris, and lilies. This is a very pleasing newsfeed.