The Basic Laws of Human Stupidity
Asharq Al-Awsat, London, July 29
Summertime can provide a welcome opportunity to enjoy a good book. Recently, I was fortunate enough to be sent a digital copy of the book The Basic Laws of Human Stupidity, by Italian historian Carlo M. Cipolla, which examines the “laws governing stupidity.” The publisher noted that over half a million copies of the book have been sold, and it has been translated into 16 languages. The title alone is intriguing, but the book itself is even more captivating. The writer of this book makes a carefully researched effort to explore the dark forces that motivate humans, with stupidity as a primary feature. While it’s commonplace for us to scorn the amount of foolishness in the world, we often underestimate the size and potential impact of stupidity. According to the author, the number of idiots may be greater than we could imagine, and we should not look upon them with disapproval. Rather, we should recognize the role they play in many of the decisions that shape our lives. Moreover, many of the people we assume are normal and intelligent may indeed be ignorant. Based on Cipolla’s definition, stupid people cause harm without self-interest; they are not bandits, for example, who achieve something for themselves, but rather inflict damage on others without gain. The foolish often act contrary to their own and others’ best interests. This disparate and disjointed group has no unified leader such as a political party or a particular ideology, yet it can coalesce as if by an invisible hand. Each individual’s activities bolster and augment the strength of those of others, creating unintentional synergy between their efforts. It is undeniable that stupidity is not limited to a single demographic. Intelligence knows no bounds when it comes to gender, ethnicity, background, or educational attainment. Rather, it is indiscriminately scattered throughout society. Studies that assess the ratio of “idiots” in any given population—if such a disquieting measurement were possible—likely would reveal that their numbers are higher than one might think. It is an unfortunate truth that these foolish individuals appear in all areas of society, unbeknownst to those around them and at the most inopportune of times. Such foolishness can be attributed to genetics, as some may be born with a heightened susceptibility to idiocy. However, this is compounded when the ignorant person holds a position of power. When it is the case that the fool is a prominent figure in politics, economics, or religion, their harm to society can become intense. In the old world, religion offered a check on stupidity. Nowadays, however, bureaucracy and political power can be damaging when stupidity is allowed to run rampant, leading to a double loss for society and the fool themselves. The book examines the deleterious effects of stupidity in politics and argues that democracy can be a powerful tool for enabling foolishness to propagate. Voters will often choose to elect a politician that mirrors their own weaknesses and mistakes, thinking that it falls under the pretext of reform. In Kuwait, recent weeks have witnessed several recently elected National Assembly members proposing various measures, including banning tattoos and plastic surgeries, restoring pre-publication censorship, and combating witchcraft. These are largely inconsequential issues, suggesting that the public may be unaware of the significant problems facing the nation; problems such as diversifying the economy, improving education, and providing better services. Rather than focus on these, some are instead insisting on trivialities. This serves only to reinforce the notion that “stupid people can do a great deal of harm.” It also ignores the fact that the digital age has made any book discoverable online, and in some cases, that plastic surgery can even be life-saving. The writer posits that intelligent people often underestimate the potential for harm that can be wrought by those of limited intellect. This is to the detriment of society, as the stupid person poses a greater danger than even a thief or murderer. What’s more, when someone of limited intelligence is combined with a political or religious platform, the resulting disruptions can be catastrophic. It is, therefore, essential for people of sound judgment to remain vigilant in order to evade such dire consequences. The author posits that advanced societies are led by the intelligent and their actions are neutralized by an organized effort pushed forth by power. In certain countries, authority can “breed the idiots” as they aid in controlling overall society. In today’s world, a continuous battle is waged between the many who are less astute and those of elevated intelligence, and when the former gains the upper hand, all progress is suppressed as foolish ideas take precedence when rationality takes a backseat. The book may carry a pessimistic outlook on the capabilities of humanity; however, when we take a deep look at those around us, we come to find that many of its ideas deserve consideration and conversation. —Mohammed Al-Rumaihi (translated by Asaf Zilberfarb)
This holiday season, give to:
Truth and understanding
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