carlespiemaryalice

Albert Einstein is credited with asserting, “Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I’m not sure about the former” and Elbert Hubbard, an American writer and philosopher observed, at an earlier time, “Genius may have its limitations, but stupidity is not thus handicapped.”

I am bemused at why human beings have not managed to render themselves extinct, especially given that stupidity is one of the most infectious conditions known to humanity. The antidote is usually in short supply and profoundly difficult to procure.

These are my observations about this infection:

1] Stupidity accounts for as much tragedy as does malice.
2] Passion can make a stupid idea seem intelligent.
3] Passion can mute intellect more effectively than intellect can guide passion.
4] Opinions are often the most effective antidote for intelligence.
5] Parents [or their surrogates] are a common contagion of stupidity.
6] The difference between a stupid man and a stupid woman is the difference between death by cyanide or death by arsenic.
7] Stupidity is more contagious than intelligence.
8] For many humans, the official cause of death and the actual cause of death differ because stupidity is not considered an official medical term.
9] Stupidity alone can be dangerous; stupidity mixed with power is insanely lethal. It is one of life’s most virulent combinations.