Bonhoeffer‘s Theory of Stupidity

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Recommends ljosifov · 2025-03 · on “The US stops sharing air quality data from embassies worldwide”

IDK whether you know it, but in case you don't—you articulated Cippola's definition "stupid is one causing harm to others while not deriving any gain, even taking a small personal loss" above. If you are interested further, I encourage you to check his pamphlet "The Basic Laws Of Human Stupidity". (is "book" too big word for it?) I must say I got a lot out of it and it's followups. It became much easier for me to understand the world around me, what is happening. And even predict what's to happen sometimes. What you observe with Trump admin: 1) it's stupidity; 2) it's not low IQ or lack of rationality; 3) it's lack of morals, not caring about good/bad, or even considering good what the rest

Cites daltont · 2021-11 · on “Assume everyone is stupid, lazy and possibly insane, including you”

Having recently watched this video on Bonhoeffer‘s Theory of Stupidity, [this video] , it seems that "stupidity" is a result of intellectual laziness. However, we only have so much mental energy dedicated to truly try to understand those forces that affect our lives. Sometimes spending too much time analyzing can lead to its own form of insanity ( [LINK] ). Realizing that over-thinking can lead to issues, justifies anti-intellectualism and intellectual laziness. Repeat...

Cites infamouscow · 2022-06 · on “Nuclear is back on the table for a green future”

> I actually feel sorry for them. I felt similarly. Then I learned about Bonhoeffer's theory of stupidity [this video]

Cites infamouscow · 2022-06 · on “Ask HN: What has melted your brain recently?”

Bonhoeffer's theory of stupidity[1]. The theory being stupidity is a moral failing rather than an intellectual one. I'm still wrapping my head around the implications of this. [1]: [this video]

Cites infamouscow · 2022-07 · on “Germany to Rethink Nuclear Shutdown as Energy Crisis Deepens”

Bonhoeffer argues stupidity is a moral failing, not an intellectual one [1]. So if you believe Bonhoeffer, then it can be argued armchair intellectuals have an obligation to not be stupid. And perhaps Germany and France should fine the stupid, or possibly put them in prison. [1]: [this video]

Cites infamouscow · 2023-04 · on “How to be a -10x Engineer”

Stupidity is a moral failure. Derision of the stupid is morally justified: [this video] The study you linked assumes the actors are not stupid.

Cites pk-protect-ai · 2023-11 · on “We have reached an agreement in principle for Sam to return to OpenAI”

I just had a conversation about this like two weeks ago. The current trend in AI "safety" is a form of brainwashing, not only for AI but also for future generations shaping their minds. There are several aspects: 1. Censorship of information 2. Cover-up of the biases and injustices in our society This limits creativity, critical thinking, and the ability to challenge existing paradigms. By controlling the narrative and the data that AI systems are exposed to, we risk creating a generation of both machines and humans that are unable to think outside the box or question the status quo. This could lead to a stagnation of innovation and a lack of progress in addressing the complex issues that fa

Cites infamouscow · 2023-12 · on “California Faces Record $68B Budget Deficit”

According to Dietrich Bonhoeffer's theory of stupidity, change in California will only happen after it completely collapses: [this video]