this post was submitted on 19 Dec 2023
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No Stupid Questions

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To clarify here, I don't feel like I'm significantly smarter than most people, but I feel like people have a hard time doing any sort of thinking about stuff. Especially when it comes to verifying "facts."

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[–] 0x4E4F@sh.itjust.works 5 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Yep. Wanted to ask the same thing a while back, but was afraid of backlash.

And it's well over 90%, I'd say like closer to 95, 96.

[–] SoleInvictus@lemmy.world 5 points 10 months ago

I was feeling the same. I saw 90% and was immediately impressed at their optimism.

[–] paddirn@lemmy.world 5 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Sometimes, though I think it’s easier for anybody to be duped by things they’re already pre-disposed to believing in. Show me a fake article about Trump doing something stupid or evil and I’ll probably be like, “How is he still free?” without really double-checking the source, unless it’s blatantly questionable.

Meanwhile, somebody of the opposite political persuasion will similarly soak in anything that confirms that Biden is the worst president we’ve ever had in history, but their range of “trusted” news sources is completely different than mine. I’m not sure how we can even bridge that gap, since our definition of reality and accepted facts isn’t really even the same anymore. There’s just so many propaganda engines active in the US right now, it’s hard to imagine anything being done about it. If anything, it’ll get worse.

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[–] The_v@lemmy.world 5 points 10 months ago (2 children)

Human intelligence is segmented and specialized. People who are smart at few things are usually very dumb at others. A person who can speak 9 languages can't do more than basic math. An expert computer programmer, who can't figure out how to keep a plant alive. Etc...

Polymaths are very rare. Very few people have advanced understanding and skills in multiple areas.

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[–] maynarkh@feddit.nl 5 points 10 months ago

I think a lot of it is that we all have topics which we are knowledgeable about. Common discourse then takes different topics, and some people will contribute to the discussion who don't understand the underlying stuff so much, they have different interests.

The problem is when you read a tech article as a tech worker, you laugh at how stupid the journalist and the commenters are. Then you read an article on some geopolitical event, or some natural phenomenon, and you take what is written as gospel, and even comment on it on forums, despite not having the same level of understanding as in your favourite topic. And you don't feel you're part of the stupid 90% then and there.

[–] davemeech@lemmy.ca 4 points 10 months ago

Yes, myself included.

[–] Lophostemon@aussie.zone 4 points 10 months ago

Excuse me! I resemble that remark!

[–] raspberriesareyummy@lemmy.world 4 points 10 months ago

Amen brother or sister

[–] SanndyTheManndy@lemmy.world 4 points 10 months ago

Thinking is hard work and with easy access to pre-cooked opinions online, they don't need to put in any effort.

[–] MeanEYE@lemmy.world 4 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Well, that's the thing about average person. Half of them are below the average and other half is above.

[–] RememberTheApollo_@lemmy.world 3 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

It’s really dependent on how the curve of that average is defined. Linear? Bell curve? Logarithmic?

Edit: I’m gonna say most people are stupid. Either willfully or through no fault of their own. Good, objective education is one of the more difficult things to implement in society. There’s always people left out. There’s always people trying to twist it to their own agenda or narrative. There’s always people willing to flat make shit up and call it fact, either so they don’t have to change their own position or to influence others. Too many believe in or support intentionally wrong things and use that to “educate” people. It’s a real struggle to get the facts as correct as possible.

So yeah, I’m gonna vote that most people are stupid.

[–] rbesfe@lemmy.ca 4 points 10 months ago

It's lower than 90% for sure, but I'd be comfortable putting the number at a solid 40%.

[–] JoJoGAH@lemmy.world 4 points 10 months ago

I feel this, but more along the line of chosen ignorance rather than actual stupidity. Either a new topic us overwhelming or they worry\fear they'll get it "wrong". Also, being from the south, where so much has been politicized, they fear the tribal back lash of thinking for themselves. I don't know what's wrong with me, I was never the type to "go with it".

[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 3 points 10 months ago

I have no idea, but if so, I'm definitely in that 90%.

[–] mintiefresh@lemmy.ca 3 points 10 months ago (1 children)

I think I'm part of that 90% without a doubt lol

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