The Peril of Stupidity

There is a force more dangerous than evil. The force, unlike evil, cannot be reasoned with, exposed, or fought directly. It spreads silently, blinding people to the truth and rendering them immune to logic. That force is stupidity.

Stupidity is a weightier threat than evil because it is not merely an intellectual failure but a profound moral and social crisis. I tried to awaken people, speaking out against hatred, blind obedience, and indifference to cruelty. I believed that presenting clear evidence would make people see the truth.

Yet, no matter how undeniable the facts, people have refused to listen, and so I have watched my nation—descend into a mob of cowards and criminals. Friends and neighbors surrendered their morality, not because they were evil, but because they stopped thinking, and now I realize the true enemy is not malice but stupidity.

Evil can be confronted, exposed, and defeated. Even the worst people, deep down, know their actions are wrong, carrying a sense of unease or guilt. Evil contains the seeds of its destruction.

Stupidity, however, is impervious. It is immune to logic, blind to reason, and deaf to truth. It does not engage or debate—it simply refuses to acknowledge reality. You can argue with a malicious person, but a stupid one dismisses facts, mocks arguments, and remains utterly convinced of their rightness. As Martin Luther King Jr. echoed, nothing is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.

The most terrifying aspect of stupidity is its unconscious nature. Those who act foolishly often do not realize it, believing they are right with unshakable certainty. No evidence or rational explanation can sway them; they double down, becoming more rigid. Mark Twain warned, “Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.”

When confronted, they resort to dismissive slogans like “whatever” or “I don’t care,” avoiding the reality of their ignorance. It makes them frustrating to talk with, akin to narcissists, as they are unlikely to change.

Stupidity’s danger extends beyond individuals, spreading like a sickness within society. It infiltrates groups, movements, and systems that demand obedience. I have learned that the power of one depends on the stupidity of the many and that mass stupidity accompanies authoritarianism.

People do not lose their intelligence—they surrender it, trading independent thought for a sense of belonging. They repeat without question.

Once a person surrenders their mind–there is no limit to their reconditioning. They commit evil without seeing it as such, spread lies while calling them truth, and destroy lives, convinced they are on the right side of history.

Stupidity is not just frustrating—it is a weapon wielded by those who know how to manipulate it. Most chillingly, reason cannot counter willful stupidity.

Stupidity does not question itself, feeling no doubt or shame. It moves with absolute confidence, becoming an unstoppable force in service of whatever it follows.

Ordinary people, many intelligent and educated, have surrendered their ability to think and now follow without thought. Stupidity is not an intellectual defect but a moral failure. A brilliant mind can still be foolish in action.

Conversely, someone intellectually slow can be profoundly wise and moral. Intelligence and wisdom are distinct, and stupidity stems from a lack of moral courage.

One is not born stupid—one becomes.

Stupidity arises when a person surrenders their responsibility to think, a transformation that is not merely personal but social. It thrives in groups where independent thought is discouraged, and people conform without question.

My observation is that ordinary people are willing to become unthinking followers. They are not inherently evil or unintelligent but stopped questioning, becoming tools of a greater agenda.

George Orwell’s 1984 depicts a similar phenomenon where Big Brother brainwashes people to limit their thoughts, rendering them incapable of critical thinking. Likewise, I have noted that when power rises, stupidity spreads.

Under political or ideological authority, people relinquish their independence, accepting slogans, propaganda, and oversimplified explanations. They no longer see the world as it is. The stupid person does not think for themselves yet sees themselves as correct, resisting facts and logic with catchphrases that possess them.

To avoid stupidity, one must refuse to stop thinking. Always question and challenge authority when necessary, rejecting ideas that cannot withstand scrutiny. Stupidity thrives when people conform without thinking. When tempted to agree with a group for ease, pause and ask whether you are thinking independently or following the crowd.

History shows that unquestioning masses lead to disaster. Friedrich Nietzsche criticized this herd mentality, urging rejection of blind conformity to become a true intellectual.

Stupidity often stems from propaganda, misinformation, and emotional manipulation. Leaders who rely on it appeal to emotions, promote simplistic solutions, and discourage independent thought.

Ideas that resist questioning are likely manipulative. Reality is complex, and truth is inconvenient.

Easy answers or single-cause explanations are usually lies. Movements demanding unquestioning loyalty are dangerous. Wisdom comes from embracing nuance and resisting oversimplification.

Instruction alone cannot overcome stupidity alone—it requires liberation. The person trapped in a manipulative system must liberate their thinking to free the mind.

True wisdom comes from internal liberation, breaking free from fear, unblinking loyalty, and unquestioning obedience. It requires a lifelong commitment to intellectual and moral independence.

Misinformation, herd mentality, and unquestioned loyalty to political figures, ideologies, and narratives discourage critical thought. If we do not actively fight for independent thinking, we risk being ruled by stupidity.

The choice is ours–stay alert, stay critical, stay free.