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Bonhoeffer on stupidity - this explains dumps cult. (Original Post) onecaliberal Jul 2018 OP
Very astute jcboon Jul 2018 #1
History repeating itself. The Velveteen Ocelot Jul 2018 #2
Its why I don't argue or even try to speak to them. Their stupidly is definitely dangerous. onecaliberal Jul 2018 #7
OMG This is so spot on. Thanks for posting. alwaysinasnit Jul 2018 #3
You're welcome. onecaliberal Jul 2018 #8
How do we liberate the cult? nt flying rabbit Jul 2018 #4
The Drumpfs don't serve America. They expect America to serve them Roland99 Jul 2018 #5
I've used the shorthand version of this for my entire life lapfog_1 Jul 2018 #6
If I am not mistaken, it is Hanlon's razor. alwaysinasnit Jul 2018 #9
Thanks! I knew it was a "thing"... now I know more about it lapfog_1 Jul 2018 #10
you're welcome alwaysinasnit Jul 2018 #11

The Velveteen Ocelot

(115,267 posts)
2. History repeating itself.
Wed Jul 18, 2018, 09:28 PM
Jul 2018
‘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.

lapfog_1

(29,166 posts)
6. I've used the shorthand version of this for my entire life
Wed Jul 18, 2018, 09:45 PM
Jul 2018

"Never ascribe to malice that which can best be explained by mere incompetence"

Not sure is that is a quote by someone... it is, of course, related to Occam's razor.

alwaysinasnit

(5,037 posts)
11. you're welcome
Wed Jul 18, 2018, 11:20 PM
Jul 2018

My theory being that 25-30% of the population is malicious and they manipulate the 30% of the population that is allergic to facts, and that makes for an uphill battle for the rest of us.

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