Psychopath : Stupidity
Stupidity, when defined as a lack of intellectual capacity or a failure to think critically, is viewed by many as a problem because it can have wide-ranging negative consequences. It can hinder personal development, impede problem-solving abilities, and even contribute to poor decision-making that can have serious ramifications.
One of the main concerns with stupidity is its impact on personal growth and potential. Intelligence and critical thinking skills are closely linked to learning, adaptability, and acquiring new knowledge. By contrast, a lack of intellectual capacity can limit an individual’s ability to understand and navigate the complexities of the world. Without the ability to think critically, people might struggle to make informed decisions, analyze information, or evaluate the consequences of their actions. This can hinder personal growth and limit opportunities for achievement and success.
Additionally, stupidity can be problematic in professional settings. In areas where problem-solving and innovation are crucial, individuals who lack critical thinking skills might find it challenging to overcome challenges and offer creative solutions to complex problems. This can result in reduced productivity, missed opportunities, and limited professional advancement.
Moreover, the consequences of stupidity are not limited to the individual alone. In a broader societal context, stupidity can have a detrimental impact on decision-making processes that affect public welfare. When individuals lack critical thinking skills, they may be more susceptible to misinformation, manipulation, and making decisions based on biases or emotions rather than facts and evidence.
For instance, in matters of public health, the consequences of poor decision-making can be dire. Ignorance or a failure to understand the significance of public health measures, such as vaccinations or wearing masks, can lead to the proliferation of diseases and the spread of misinformation. It can also hinder the adoption of effective policies to address societal challenges like climate change or social inequality.
The stench of stupidity offends me. It is exacerbated by witnessing it from my position ofsuperioriy.
it arises from a deep frustration with the willful ignorance and intellectual laziness that permeates our society.
You see, stupidity is not an inherent trait. It is a choice, a conscious decision to remain uninformed and uneducated. It is the refusal to seek knowledge, to challenge one’s beliefs, and to engage in critical thinking. And yet, despite the vast resources available to us in this technological age, we are plagued by an epidemic of stupidity.
Every day, I encounter individuals who lack the capacity to engage in meaningful discourse, who spout baseless opinions without any factual basis, and who dismiss logical arguments in favor of their own misguided biases. They revel in their ignorance, wearing it as a badge of honor. I have lost count of the number of occasions where such behavior has caused me to want to beat them to death with a heavy volume of Roget´s Thesaurus.
Stupidity breeds ignorance, and ignorance breeds baseless and poor decision making. The way that the idiots remain mired in their own ignorance is not a surprise to me. Ultimately, their inability to embrace knowledge will prove their undoing because from that stupidity comes ignorance and this leads to fear. It is this fear that manipulative individuals such as I will exploit and do you know what, they deserve everything they get. By failing to be informed, by drinking deep of their own dim-wittedness they deserve to be manipulated, given the run around and crushed. Oh they have had their chance to redeem themselves but they failed, preferring instead to remain part of the braying masses, the mouth breathing collective who then expect somebody else to always sort them out, save them from the mess of their own doing. Well, I say let them remain up to their necks in the filth of their creation. Let them drown in their ignorance. Let their intellectual failures suffocate them..
But let us not confuse stupidity with lack of intelligence. Intelligence is a gift, a natural aptitude for learning and understanding. It is something to be nurtured and developed. Stupidity, on the other hand, is a choice, a conscious decision to reject knowledge and critical thinking.
I am often asked why I bother engaging with the stupid, why I don’t simply dismiss them and surround myself with like-minded individuals. Often I do, avoiding those fools. However, something must be done because stupidity is contagious. It spreads like a virus, infecting those around it and poisoning the well of knowledge.
Now, I am not suggesting that we should all be geniuses or possess encyclopedic knowledge. That would be both unrealistic and undesirable. What I am advocating for is a commitment to intellectual growth, a willingness to question our beliefs and expand our understanding of the world. It is only through this pursuit of knowledge that we can endeavour
to overcome the plague of stupidity that grips our society.
So, my injunction to you all is this: do not succumb to the allure of ignorance. Embrace the pursuit of knowledge, challenge your beliefs, and engage in critical thinking. Only through these actions can we hope to eradicate the scourge of stupidity that threatens to undermine our society. Recognise the idiots and steer clear of them, let them blunder around to be picked off at will by those who control this world. Those clowns will not be missed.
In conclusion, do not be content with mediocrity and intellectual laziness. Ensure that you aspire to be more, to rise above the sea of stupidity and become beacons of knowledge and understanding.
Knowledge and intelligence will serve you well, even though you may not be academically inclined, you are always in a position to embrace knowledge in its many forms. I endorse and approve of that approach and I condemn those who wilfully remain stupid, ready to grind them into oblivion.
88 thoughts on “Psychopath : Stupidity”
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Very relatable – who has not gritted their teeth at another’s misinformed/ignorant comment? Love the way you use it to justify the response towards them. Politicians do this quite a lot to justify their actions. Works very well and heck – they deserve to be victimized after all 😉
Consider the traffic jams in India. They look like absolute chaos. It bamboozles me how people manage to get anywhere without being hit by a bus or going postal because of stress.
And yet the Indian Space Research Organization has made India the first nation ever to successfully land on the south pole of the moon.
Seriously though, Well Done to India! Their world-first moon landing is a great achievement.
It’s interesting, I think, to consider both stupidity and stubbornness.
There are similarities and differences between the two.
A while ago, in my travels on the internet searching for information about narcissism and empathy, I came across an article titled ‘The Fine Line Between Stubbornness and Stupidity’ written by Manfred F.R. Kets de Vries, a Professor of Leadership Development and Organisational Change. The article can be found on the website of an organisation called INSEAD.
It is a relatively quick article to read and makes some interesting points about how stubbornness can be both good and bad, and also both smart and stupid.
For instance, stubbornness makes an individual persevere. It helps to give a person determination, and perhaps even hope, in the face of difficulty or uneven odds. It allows for steadfastness and singlemindedness, enabling a person to stand his or her ground when told by others that he or she is wrong.
The above article states: “Qualities like vision, action orientation, grit, resilience and persistence are derivatives of stubbornness.”
There is also a negative side to stubbornness. It may be a sign of insecurity and a way to “maintain a fragile mental equilibrium”, as said in the article.
The rigidity in stubbornness can indicate a fear of change. At an unconscious level, stubbornness may be the perception that any attempt to change the stubborn person’s mind is a personal attack. The insecurities underlying the stubbornness can make the individual process information in ways that confirm their own belief system. In this sense, their own insecurities lead to confirmation bias.
The article says that there is “no quick fix” to maladaptive stubbornness. This is because a change in thinking must arise as the individual’s own idea.
The article ends by stating: “Without reflection, stubbornness is nothing more than plain stupidity.”
When I read the article, I found it gave me some interesting insights. It also made me think that there is more to both stubbornness and stupidity than meets the eye.
This post reminds me of the song ‘Ship of Fools’ by World Party.
The song was written by Welsh musician Karl Wallinger and released in 1987. The lyrics are:
We’re setting sail to the place on the map
From which no one has ever returned
Drawn by the promise of the joker and the fool
By the light of the crosses that burned
Drawn by the promise of the women and the lace
And the gold and the cotton and pearls
It’s the place where they keep all the darkness you need
You sail away from the light of the world on this trip, baby
You will pay tomorrow
You’re gonna pay tomorrow
You will pay tomorrow
Oh, oh, oh
Save me, save me from tomorrow
I don’t want to sail with this ship of fools, no, no
Oh, save me, save me from tomorrow
I don’t want to sail with this ship of fools, no, no
I want to run and hide right now
Avarice and greed are gonna drive you over the endless sea
They will leave you drifting in the shallows
Or drowning in the oceans of history
Travelling the world, you’re in search of no good
But I’m sure you’ll build your Sodom like you knew you would
Using all the good people for your galley slaves
As your little boat struggles through the warning waves, but you don’t pay
You will pay tomorrow
You’re gonna pay tomorrow, yeah
You’re gonna pay tomorrow
Save me, save me from tomorrow
I don’t want to sail with this ship of fools, no, no, no
Save me, save me from tomorrow
I don’t want to sail with this ship of fools
Where’s it comin’ from?
Oh, where’s it goin’ to?
It’s just a, it’s just a ship of fools
All aboard now.
@Alexis
Thank you, humour is how I cope with life. You might as well laugh at what you can’t change otherwise I would be angry and depressed 24/7.
The video you sent is narcissism in a nutshell. Constant desperation
I had to recently be around a narcissist for four days, a cousin in law. She thinks no one in the family likes her because she’s “pretty, lightskinned and not fat” (her words)
🤣🤣🤣
Meghan Markle 2.0
They are unintentionally funny
Everybody: It helps a lot of being aware of simple narratives, where no discussion is welcome, where people who dare to question it or even criticize it, are name-called. If you don´t believe in narrative X, you´re a ..(insert name calling here)!! This is a MANIPULATION! No matter on which side you stand, no matter what your views are, ANY narrative, where discussion, debate and critical questions are not welcome is a mass manipulation! Your bullshit detector should switch on!! I strongly recommend to do research on that topic X on different sides, read different views, in different newspapers and different books. ANY simple narrative which should not be questioned is HIGHLY SUSPICIOUS! Mostly, the articles or videos on suspicious topic X are very emotional! They show you emotional pictures, the article or video aims to touch your emotions, because when emotions like fear, anger, panic, compassion or joy are high, your critical and rational thinking is diminished. Watch out for those. Mostly, and if you look closely, there is very little substance behind those articles or videos. Marketing and PR ALWAYS play with your emotions, especially FEAR! If you´re afraid of disease X, person X or event X, your logic goes downhill. You´re afraid, you cannot think critically anymore and you demand that something has to be done about X! This is how they catch you! “Something has to be done about X” and 1,2,3: There it is: The law that restricts your freedom, or that demands that you use products A, B and C, because “if you don´t, the catastrophe of event X will strike”. This is how it´s done! And this is the way to make you accepting restrictions, new laws and new regulations which are not good for you, which you wouldn´t have accepted without the fear or anger! And there are simple questions which you should ALWAYS ask, no matter what: 1) Who is financially supporting it? 2) Who profits from it? Read Gustave Le Bon: “Psychology of the masses”!
HG, are you interested in crypto now? Have you seen the videos of the 2 uhm announcements of Shytoshi from Shiba Inu this week?
Listening to HG’s latest (and regrettably, last) interview with Doug, I bring forth HG’s words: “the catalyst is when the victim wants to know.” Nobody who is here for the right reasons is stupid, we are all looking for answers, thirsty of knowledge, wanting to learn.
On the other hand, it is evident from HG’s writing that he makes a distinction between stupid as a genetic predisposition and stupid as being averse to knowledge. “But let us not confuse stupidity with lack of intelligence.”
I truly hope HG posts the interview with Doug on the blog too, as I enjoy commenting interviews here where my fellow commenters possess the knowledge to maintain an enriching interaction rather than on YouTube, which sometimes is full of stupid people, in the sense HG is using here.
SP,
HG’s most recent interview with Doug was, again, great to listen to. The two have such a good rapport.
Why do you say the recent interview will be their last? I didn’t hear HG or Doug say anything to suggest that.
I know you said “stupidity” is a choice but there must be a genetic basis for it
There must be genetic differences between those who are happy for things to stay exactly as they are and not question it and those who are more curious
I think you’re right witch, similar to the truth seeker trait perhaps? Sadly I only have that (but it’s quite strong) where something interests me. Otherwise I’m just not interested.
I wouldn´t call that “stupididy”, in my personal experience it´s just laziness. Over here, people got lazy, comfortable and immature. We haven´t had bad times over here for decades! The people became hedonistic, lazy, ignorant and decadent. Good times bring weak people, bad times bring strong people. Here, it is peanuts to manipulate the people, because they´re too lazy to do some research or question the narratives. The good times were too good, they lasted for too long. Those good times lead to materialistic, hedonistic and immature people. Here, many people choose the comfortable way: to follow, to blindly trust, instead of questioning or critical thinking. Another point is that they´re afraid! They´re too afraid to stand up for themselves, too afraid to be the “outcasts”, because if you don´t follow, you´re a …(insert name calling here). They don´t wanna be a (insert name calling here), they just don´t dare to stand up for themselves! The critical thinking and questioning is high in countries which went through bad times! That is what I personally observed. The people in countries, which had to go through really rough times, are way more suspicious, more critical. They know what it means when not everything is roses, unicorns and honeycakes.
True where I am also Leela, we’ve had it very easy for a very long time. It does change the general population, to feel entitled to it, if nothing else.
Looks like only the Eastern Europeans, former Eastern Germany and the conservative, religious Americans dare to stand up for themselves. 🤷♀️
Dear Mr Tudor,
Fascinating article!
It can be said some of the smartest/intelligent people have also been known to be very stupid!
We ALL do stupid things in life, as long as you learn from it, then you’ve gained knowledge.
Those who continue to keep doing the same and expecting a different outcome….now that’s stupid! Look how many criminals end up in jail and study law (they end up knowing more than those in law enforcement ) 🤣 some are smart enough to get themselves back in jail to justify the means (free study, food, medical, clothes) does that make them dumb, stupid, smart, clever or intelligent hehe ?
Some people ‘act’ stupid, doesn’t mean they’re dumb.
Look how many people who didn’t complete school ended up intelligent geniuses.
Sometimes ‘common sense’ ends up being more intelligent !!!!
The bank manager doesn’t care about your grades and how many university degrees you have, he only cares about how much money you have.
You don’t have to be ‘intelligent’ to think smart !
Thank you for a most thought provoking article
Hmmmmm i would consider myself stupid. I rather like being stupid though because I also think with stupidity comes happiness. Do you think that’s why you don’t like stupidity HG? Because stupid people are happy?
No, I have explained why I do not like stupid people.
Do stupid people annoy you so much that it evokes fury? Then you gather negative fuel with a massive put down of the said stupid person and their reaction to the put down?
Just curious.
It does but usually the fury is kept under control and I will bludgeon them to death later away from prying eyes with a volume of Encyclopedia Britannica.
That is a waste of the Encyclopedia Britannica.
It maybe wise to choose something less to do this.
Might be telling porkies though x
No.
Projecting stupidity onto me? Haha
Sorry, you know I still love you x
How could you not?
https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGJsNEtuy/
Alexis on a date with a cerebral thinking about how she’s only here for the free drinks and the D
Wow. What charm school did you go to?
Best,
DB
@DB
I’m unladylike, British, crass, I have a tongue in cheek sense of humour…
luckily Alexis accepts me for who I am
@Witch,
I’m with Alexis on this!! Love you just as you are, love your humor!! Always have!
Well, so long as you are happy. Each to their own. Witch, your answer made me feel sad for you. There are various ways your answer could be interpreted. You know who you are, and I applaud your honesty and straightforward answer, but, it also has an air of someone who is not confident and that you undermine yourself. I accept you for who you are, I even admire your honest description of yourself. But Witch, I am sure there are much more lovelier and nicer ways to describe you.
Best,
DB
You do you Witch! Xx
@A Victor
Thank you ❤️
@BD
“ but, it also has an air of someone who is not confident and that you undermine yourself”
No you tried to undermine me with a sarcastic comment about my lack of charm..
I genuinely think I’m hilarious
Witch,
I agree with AV and Alexis, I enjoy your sense of humour and I’m not just agreeing, it’s my own feelings too. Xx
Hhahaha oh no! Cerebrals are the worst!!! I hope you manage to have some fun witch.
I’m working with one next week, one who truly despises me. I haven’t felt the need to wound one for a few years now, but I think won’t be able to help myself as she’s already being a complete bitch. Bitch off here I come hahhaha
@Alexis
Keep interjecting when she talks
I agree. I cannot stand Cerebrals. Somatics annoy me too. Self obsessed with their apperances.
I have become quite witty and sharp with my tongue
One told me I should shift a few pounds and commented on my weight
I responded with “When I’m dead and rotting, see the pounds fly off!”
Her face was a sight to see. Wish I could have taken a photo. Shallow bitch.
When I recognise a narc my empathy flies out the window. I treat good people well and narcs will taste my sharp knife tongue. I feel no guilt in wounding them. They make me sick to my core. If they are polite. I am polite. I behave like a mirror. If they are rude and devalue me. That’s another matter.
Oh come on: Somatics are at least funny with their “look at ME ME ME ME ME! My house, my looks, my big d***, my boat, my car” 😂😂 My father is a Somatic. But Cerebrals are a pain in the a**! They are the worst! And by talking back, no matter how, you give all narcs only fuel! Either they enjoy your negative fuel or they get challenge fuel. That´s it. Talking back makes no sense, just ignoring them and stay calm is the best way. And the very best way is No Contact: avoiding them completely (I know this is not always possible).
That’s horrible Anna, if anyone comments on my weight, I tell them I want to get fatter hahaha
Leela, I agree, I did once find them amusing. But now just so damn dull. No matter what the school, they are just a carbon copy of each other, say the same things as one another. And so many somatics, just should not be somatic based on how objectively (according to my objectivity scale) aesthetically pleasing they are.
Leela_Z
Indeed you are right. Somatics are funny.
This is true about giving them fuel, but it is still funny to wind them up.
After reading fuel and fury from HG. I have noticed them charging around, or stomping around. Always angry, always causing some kind of drama to attain fuel. Observing them can be quite entertaining. They really do look like a cartoon with red faces and steam coming out of their ears.
With the cerebrals. They will argue the sky is green to the point where it is sad just to be right, because they cannot accept they are ever wrong and believe in their intellectual might.
I remember before I was made aware of what my partner was, an argument until 3am about a topic. He had to be right. Even if all the facts showed he was wrong. It was draining. I didn’t sleep, he gained fuel. Enjoyed my misery. I will not fall into this trap again.
This is why HG’s knowledge is so very valuable. It is first hand knowledge which we can utilise to protect ourselves.
Going no contact is of course the best way, but not always possible which is why it is so important to know how to react, how to protect yourself.
Leela,
That’s true, somatics are hilarious.
Just look at a certain president with his palaces, villas and yachts, his bare-chested horse-riding and his cosmetic surgeries. He surrounds himself with airline stewardesses and models, while spinning yarns to his people on TV.
Yep, somatics are dead funny! 🙂 😉
By the way, I think a narcissist is a narcissist. Cerebral and somatic narcissists are as bad as each other, and elites are just as bad too. Actually, I think elites can be more confusing and harder to identify.
I agree with you that no contact is the best option for all of them.
Haha, that’s great!
@A Victor
It is exactly like that.. I think one of the X’s was cerebral because when you asked him a question he would go off like that especially in writing and when he was done, you still don’t have an answer 🤣
Hahahaha, that’s such a great description!! Especially with the video! Thank you! And still don’t have an answer… That’s great!
@A Victor
when it the golden period (which was short lived) he compared us to Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden 🥲
Why would anyone even think of saying something like that
Hahaha @Witch!!! That’s great! I have literally no idea…a cerebral narcissist I guess! That is so odd!! 😂🤣
@A Victor
I think he was trying to compare us to an iconic couple (grandiosity)
But… not even bonnie and Clyde…
Adam and Eve 💀
Love your humour witch! Unladylike, British and crass is the best!! Hahah Only just saw the link though. Love it!!
Here’s one of my favourites https://youtu.be/O35uSaQRZk0
Reminds me of all the somatics out there hahah no matter which school and how they manage to compose themselves. It’s how they really are inside. Somatics always used to be a second favourite of mine with elites of course in first place. Victims and cerebrals desperately unappealing to me. But now I find somatics on a par with the victims and cerebrals of the world lol. Just so yukky indeed.
I feel like I’ve been given an N antidote. No need to nullify them they’re just so gross. Hope it stays that way.
Ah Alexis I have fallen for somatic artist types.. EX. The Barbie movie where all the hot Ken’s sit around the fire singing TO HER ( and Push lol). She watches like a true fan until she stops and looks at her phone. He immediately stops “ who is that?” He grabs her phone ( lack of boundaries) and reads a text allegedly from Ken. His eyes bulge and he screams “Ken “! All those Barbie’s in the circle did the same to their Ken’s. Now the Ken’s are divided filled with jealousy and ego. The Barbie’s set this up as a diversion tactic. I laughed so . …Yes I have been the “ fan” to a somatic narc!
Alexis, you are far from stupid. Like they say in Mexico: “you throw yourself on the floor so that we pick you up.”
Awww thanks SP. I’m pleased you don’t see me as stupid.
I do genuinely like being stupid though and with stupid people hahah
Intelligent (well relatively) but stupid all the same.
Dear Alex,
You’re happy and definitely not stupid!
Harry’s definitely stupid and definitely not happy 😂
Awww thank you Bubbles. I can’t help but feel sorry for Harry though xx
Dear Alex,
Yes. He definitely needs help with his mental issues (particularly getting over his mum) and on top of that he will need extra help from narcissistic abuse.
Someone needs to direct him to Mr Tudor hehe 😉 xx
What fascinates me about these articles is how they can be embraced from more than one perspective, it will all depend on who is calling who ignorant, what they are ignorant of, who has the evidence to back up their position, and also the potential to undermine that evidence. We live in a crooked world where we are being bombarded with the terms “misinformation” and “disinformation” as they are constantly added to the vocabulary like some kind of ‘mantra’, as a means to undermine ideas or understandings considered ‘undesirable’ by the powers that be and causing me to want to wash my mind and thoughts with soap.
An individual conscience is much more valuable as it seeks various sources of knowledge and information, sifts those, allows both logic and intuition to help determine the correctness of proposals. Such is the basis for critical thinking. Foundational to that will be individual values. We do not all share the same values, our searches will be biased and it is not possible to trust the current “worldly” powers to determine what information is trustworthy. That which is trustworthy advantages them. It is not about us. It would be foolishness, in my eyes, to think otherwise.
Keeping in mind the psychopath.
Hi LET,
This has been a takeaway I’ve had from these articles also. There is the narcissist perspective, the psychopath practice, rolled into one in HG, there is the normal perspective and the empath perspective. Then, you take all of the variations within each of these groups, Christian/atheist, liberal/conservative, older/younger, education, life experiences etc, and it’s a wonder we have any major perspective. At one time we did more clearly, it has become more muddled recently. Individual topics that once where it was understood if a person viewed this in this light they would likely also view that in a similar light, are no longer necessarily accurate. It is interesting to watch and not just a little frightening at times, while at the same time allowing for the individual to do as you suggest, develop and use critical thinking, never a bad thing. I enjoyed reading your comment, thank you.
AV, I enjoyed reading your comment, too, and the ‘muddling’ you speak of is real. The confusion has created deep rifts within individuals, families, communities and societies alike.
We have lost our secure foundations. There is a desire to restructure society.
I listened to an interesting interview with Gavin De Becker yesterday, partially based around his book “The Gift of Fear”, and its relationship to control as it is weaponised by those in power. It was a fascinating conversation with some interesting input around critical thinking and intuition having a place in that. I was surprised, as I had only mentioned intuition in my previous comment here prior to this. I probably based that on the belief we cannot just believe what we are being told, but what were are being told must be tested and that testing must involve necessary pushback or criticism in order to paint the whole picture.
One of the reasons I don’t accept the mantra’s of “misinformation” and “disinformation” … if they can’t be challenged and questioned by those with different understandings or points of view, then they are not to be trusted. We are being asked/expected to swallow whole potential propaganda that is being fed to us without question and trust those who supposedly have our best interests at heart.
Stupidity lies in the acceptance of such propaganda, not in challenging it.
I can only wonder how many psychopaths were involved in decision making around recent global events.
Appreciate you sharing your thoughts, AV. Thank you for the feedback.
LET,
Absolutely, we are fools to not challenge, respectfully, when told by another what is best for us. I agree regarding the damage it is doing also. Thank you for the suggestion, I will look into Mr De Becker and his book, it sounds very interesting.
Who is stupid? Those who follow the mainstream call the non-mainstream people “stupid”, those who don´t follow the mainstream call the mainstream people “stupid sheep”. So, who is stupid? EVERYBODY stupid! If mankind was not stupid, we wouldn´t destroy nature, we wouldn´t quarrel and fight about mainstream narratives, religions, ideologies, views. If mankind was not stupid, we wouldn´t be hedonistic, decadent and ignorant to all the injustice in the world! If we ALL were not stupid, we wouldn´t eat meat from brutally tortured animals from industry meat (Note: I do eat meat but ONLY organic!). If we weren´t stupid, we would think about the products we buy and where the heck they come from. If we weren´t stupid, we would think about, what we REALLY NEED in life, not about what we WANT. If we weren´t stupid, we would realize that we don´t need 99 % of the stuff we have and buy. We would think about how to live in peace, justice and harmony with each other and with nature. Think about it!
Nice post Leela_Z
Very well written
I agree with alot you posted
Thank you very much, Anna! ♥️
Dear Leela Z,
Terrific comment!
Thank you
I don’t get it.
Haha! 😂 Good one!
Brilliant writing on stupidity. Today there are so many conspiracy theories that lack facts or evidence. I have read 64 books this year, yet my intelligent children aren’t readers. I think it’s important to read a wide variety of topics. Newspapers are all but obsolete instead we get highlights without all the deep digging that used to happen. You can go to chat gpt to get answers to most questions ( although I have found errors! At least legally). I used to say to my children when young and I dropped them off at school: ask good questions today. ( not give answers). They remember this. A active curious mind is not stupid. But HG: again I see myself in a minority while this series on psychopaths seems to reveal an ultra. I don’t see it applying to many psychopaths who are often base and stupid. I have watched interviews for example of serial killers and went to the Death museum in Hollywood and read letters from famous serial killers. They have been defined as psychopaths but they wrote like simpletons. Studies have shown no great intelligence of psychopaths … some are above average. I feel this series defines you or 1% of psychopaths if that. You are special obviously. Through this series I feel we get a glimpse of your thoughts on power, beauty, stupidity etc… and it’s fascinating but I don’t see it’s application to most psychopaths. Am I right?
Hi Contagious,
From what I’ve read IQ is entirely independent from personality. As such you would expect to see a normal distribution for IQ within the psychopath group just as you would for narcissists, narcissistic, normal and empath groups.
This is another reason why Hare’s psychopath isn’t representative. He studied psychopaths in prisons. They got caught, which in itself suggests lower IQ. Also, those psychopaths would be dialled up in terms of certain traits. High impulsivity, low conscientiousness for example.
It’s similar to an alien visiting earth and only meeting humans that are in prison. The alien’s view of humankind would be incorrect, or at least skewed heavily to the negative because the prison population is not a representative sample of humankind as a whole any more than it can be a representative sample of the psychopath population given that anywhere between 1 and 5% of the population are psychopaths.
The psychopath group is no more or less intelligent than any other group. Psychopaths are also believed to require less sleep. Apparently this is a myth, though I could understand why it might be the case. There is one fact about psychopaths that did make me laugh and again I can understand why it’s the case, psychopaths look younger than their years. They have fewer expression lines because their emotional range is so reduced. Whilst they formulate expressions when in public, they are largely expressionless when alone, therefore, fewer lines and wrinkles!
Which means ….!
Xx
Truthseeker! You are obviously a Hare fan! Lol But you make sense. The prisons are full of people who don’t follow rules, and laws, and can be violent and this shows a lack of empathy. If I were an alien and wanted to find psychopaths… where would he or she go? Best bet is prison. And just because they got caught doesn’t make them stupid. It might mean they were engaged in activities that were on a higher level of interest by the law. Mafia for example. I see serial killers as psychopaths. The trial of the nurse killing babies is an example. A nurse. Ted Bundy was a lawyer and very clever evading law enforcement for years. So I can see how psychopaths IQ is similar to everyone else but I can also see why they are more abundant in the criminal population. Do you agree all serial killers are psychopaths? What about pedophiles? Chat GPT says no as to pedophiles. Different on DSM. But I see it as a “ yes.” Sadists who torture and kill? I would not say all murderers thus the self defense … etc… I think it that HG has started with an elite group of psychopaths within the 1%. I look forward to understanding more;)
Hi Contagious 🙂
I’m not not a Hare fan, I just think that his view of psychopathy was very prescriptive. It’s that part I disagree with. I also think that he fiercely guards his own research and conclusions and is unwilling to re examine his findings or consider other more recent research into psychopathy. I think there are different ‘flavours’ of psychopath, Hare hitched his cart to just one but the one flavour he examined I think he likely got right.
I take your point about the psychopath hunting alien haha! He would find more psychopaths congregated together in prison than anywhere else. That said though, if there was a global conference attended by all the CEO’s of multinational corporations together with international politicians, eminent surgeons and special forces personnel, the alien might get to meet a fair few psychopaths there too!
I also take your point about Mafia. Technically many serial killers within the Mafia, barbaric murders, but I would question if all these men are psychopaths. Are some of these men motivated by fear? Follow the script or they and their families meet a similar fate? I’m not defending the actions of Mafia henchmen, I’m questioning how they ended up in that role in the first place, through design or through circumstance?
In answer to your question about all pedophiles being psychopaths, I would have to say no. Some will be but many won’t. As far as serial killers being psychopaths I would estimate that many are but not all. I would also question if some killers given the label of psychopath were actually psychopaths at all. My thinking there is based more on the ability (or lack thereof) of psychologists to accurately diagnose psychopathy to begin with. Sadism I think is a separate study. It’s quite a broad term too, often it refers to sexual sadism. Again I think you could have a sadist who isn’t a psychopath but I would expect a sizeable percentage of psychopaths to have an element of sadism in their make up. Conjecture on my part, but I do read a fair bit.
I have been reading about Lucy Letby too. Horrific crimes. I think when something is so horrific, we search for answers. We cannot comprehend how a human being could actually be so cruel. So we say that they are ‘evil’ or they must be a psychopath because these terms offer an ‘explanation’. That person is a monster, inhuman, but most importantly, nothing like me. I get it, I feel similarly but I also have to admit that this is an emotional response. More than that, a visceral response. I don’t know what Lucy Letby is. To my mind she is a narcissist, but is she also a psychopath? The association between crimes like this one and psychopathy is a strong one, we are drilled with the idea that all psychopaths are evil. Letby is evil, therefore Letby must be a psychopath. Maybe this drilling is correct in this instance but maybe an unemotional examination might indicate otherwise. I’m glad HG is examining her, there will be no emotions in play.
There is one thing that plays strongly against Letby being a psychopath in my view. She didn’t attend the verdict announcement. She refused to leave the cells and go back into court. That says to me that she couldn’t face the public condemnation. It’s a kind of fear, a fear that most humans have apart from psychopaths, the fear of exclusion, essentially ejection from the ‘tribe’. So to me, as horrific as her crimes were, she showed an emotional fear response, she therefore can’t be a psychopath. The only way round that I could perhaps see, is if she remained in the cells out of sheer disrespect for the system she was placed within, disrespect of the judiciary system. Did she see herself as above judgement and beyond reproach? I don’t see that in her but I’m not at all qualified to call it.
I struggle with narcissism and psychopathy existing in one person. Again, you fear social exclusion or, you don’t. So I couldn’t even begin to argue a narcissistic psychopath outcome. I think I’m going to struggle with that part of the course haha!
Xx
Just to clarify, I understand your reasoning, but the subject data is not quite accurate. Research on psychopaths (high functioning) versus sociopaths (low functioning) reveals psychopaths tend to have higher IQs. Conversely, sociopaths have lower IQs and more impulsive/violent behavior. Unfortunately, the label “psychopath” is currently used in a blended way to include sociopathy in popular articles (some include “malignant narcissist” as well), yet the current technical category in the DSM is APD (Antisocial Personality Disorder). That is not to say there is not noteworthy research that blends the terms, but they must include separate measures for the propensity towards impulsive violence and low IQ/EQ to provide any clarity in understanding differences. If they could be more consistent in the application and use of labels it would help.
Hare’s research did indeed use general prison populations and the majority were sociopaths (hence being easily apprehended and imprisoned). Unlike sociopaths, it is believed (by researchers) that most psychopaths effectively operate in society, remain undetected or if suspected are difficult to apprehend and convict due to their excellent facade management, laser-focused attention to detail and access to ample resources.
Hi FYC
Yes, totally agree there are so many terms, psychopathy, sociopathy, narcissistic psychopath, malignant narcissist. Sociopath seems to crop up less, to the point where I don’t think I have even read an article about sociopaths, I’ve seen discussions on Quora about the differences, but that’s Quora so I didn’t pay much attention!
From memory, I think it went along the lines of psychopaths are born, ( brain differences from birth) sociopaths are made, ( normal brain, environmental factors with genetic pre disposition), sociopaths allegedly more ‘emotional’, but in terms of research / studies, I haven’t seen anything on sociopathy. ( that’s not to say it isn’t out there)
Now we have ASPD, people don’t refer to psychopaths and sociopaths just ASPD. I just don’t find that helpful, particularly if as you say sociopaths are less intelligent than psychopaths, that’s an immediate difference. It also means Haare’s psychopath was actually likely a sociopath! ASPD to me seems like a list of behaviours. It doesn’t tell you anything about the brain, nothing about the operating system behind the behaviours which just seems vague or, “it doesn’t really matter about understanding this, none have them have emotional empathy, all you need to know.”
To me it’s not just about the behaviours it’s more about what causes the behaviours that’s important. I wonder also if psychopaths are perceived as being more intelligent in part due to certain psychopaths having traits such as impulsivity dialled down whilst others such as conscientiousness dialled up. IQ is IQ though, it’s specific and it’s measurable. So would all lower IQ psychopaths be termed as sociopaths? Suggesting all those carrying the different brain structure from birth also have higher IQ?
I think lumping these terms together under the umbrella of ASPD makes it more difficult to understand, not less.
Nice to see you FYC 🙂
Sensei H.G., as a REAL scientist, I would relish the challenge of a discussion about “public health” and such. 😉 I know, this is not the topic of this blog, I just wonder if dare? 😉💋
Excellent piece of work HG.
A question.
Do you think that society as a whole is becoming more ignorant? That people are becoming dumbed down? Turning into “Sheeple”
We humans are indeed becoming lazy, getting AI or robots to do things for us. For example using GPS instead of reading a map. I read some research that this is greatly effecting the “cognitive” map that humans have.
Also that people who are “dumb” are easier to control, so in a way some politicians which to achieve this in order to control the masses.
An extreme example would be Pol Pot Year Zero in Cambodia.
Contempt instead of pity
This reaction, after all people do not always choose to be uneducated. Sometimes it is circumstance. There are those though who live in blissful denial and do not wish to open their eyes and see the truth.
“Stupidity causes as much damage as evil”
A quote I heard once.
Very sad, but very true.
I recall seeing two versions of the film ‘The Hunchback of Notre-Dame’ many years ago.
By the time I wrote this comment, I had pondered and read into whether any background information reveals ‘The Hunchback of Notre-Dame’ (original book by Victor Hugo, published 1831) as to having an element of truth about the one of the main characters, Quasimodo. Quasimodo translates as ‘Low Sunday’.
It was how he was treated and viewed by society around him, including those that were religious.
The book characters Frollo and Esmeralda come across as what may have been a narcissistic ensnarement. Where does Quasimodo sit on the narcissism to empath spectrum? I got the impression of a ‘love triangle’ through narcissistic manipulations & influence.
I did some further reading and it transpires that despite how legends formulate, some of which can be based on an individual yet get taken into the varying chains of ‘Chinese Whispers’, campfire type of discussions.
It has been suggested the Quasimodo was loosely based on a real person, who was a carver.
Further reading (I found very it interesting): https://www.historydefined.net/who-was-the-real-hunchback-of-notre-dame/
Additional note: Victor Hugo was obsessed with Gothic structures.
I wondered whether this could be given a short analysis, including the author Victor, viewed through HG’s perception and a potential addition to the ‘Treasure Trove’? Thank you, HG X (no worries, if not, as I understand your work load x).
I’m not the smartest person out there, no doubt, but I do enjoy learning and expanding my knowledge. I don’t want to ever feel I’ve learned enough, I want to keep that fire lit, keep it coming HG! Thank you for another great article in this fascinating series! Xx
Wonderful article/video, sir.
HG, you have just described the biggest problem facing the US today, on both sides of the political fault line, which is becoming a chasm. Stupidity engulfed the political process and public policy, to say nothing of social media. I fear that stupidity will swallow what remains of democracy and independent thinking and replace it with conspiracy theories and group think. Thank you for reminding me to continue honing critical thinking skills and questioning my biases. But I am losing hope that my country will ever climb out of the abyss of stupidity. Then again, you always said that hope is false mistress.
I liked image of “the abyss of stupidity”. I think of it more as the full crab bucket of stupidity, without a lid.
“ It is a choice, a conscious decision to remain uninformed and uneducated. It is the refusal to seek knowledge, to challenge one’s beliefs, and to engage in critical thinking.” Coincidentally (or not), I am currently writing on the power of the unknown, rather than of knowledge: knowing ignorance and ignorant knowing, because not only what we know, but what remains unknown and more importantly, what we choose to not-know gives raise to political power and violence and makes the ignorant not only stupid, but taken advantage of. This is pivotal information because I completely agree that knowledge is not passive; it is not something that falls upon you like rain from the sky above. If there’s a politics of knowledge there is also a politics of unknowing/ignorance. I adore your cogitations.
Thank you SP, I thought for a moment we were entering the Rumsfeld Matrix!
HAHAHA!!!! Good one! Believe it or not, I am quoting that example in my article.
Engrossing article, HG. I dimly recalled Donald Rumsfeld from the Bush II administration because Rumsfeld died fairly recently, so I looked into the reference. Then I got your joke. Very amusing! Then I read your post again, SP, in a new light. Happy writing. And now I have more to consider. Thank you!
Thank you Allison!
Sweetest Perfection: both you and HG are correct. The masses are asses so to speak. Leaders recently have turned to divisive tactics, hate, conspiracies so people turn on one another without reason…. just ignorance. I read an article I think in the New Yorker where FB admitted that speech that incited hate or anger was more popular getting more likes so it remained in higher order and this was also a tactic of political ads. But why? If you ask me it is to divert attention from income inequality. The top 1% doesn’t want you to follow this ever growing injustice. Donald Trump paid 700$ in federal taxes? During COVID the top 1% grabbed more than 10% in corporate wealth and land in the US and UK. Most don’t know this or don’t get why this matters. Most don’t know that corporations or banks say bank of New York is just a private family. I sued bank of Lebanon, the same. It’s just a private family. Divert the attention! There is an amazing investigative female journalist whose written books on Brian Epstein and lives in South America now ( out of fear) who writes how all the attention is on his sex trafikking but they don’t go earlier where many extremely wealthy, elites, celebrities and politicians ( ie Gates) met with Epstein to discuss financial advice. It is believed by her that he invested their money in illegal activities like arms dealings, helped create off shore accounts. These people would deny this but why come to Epstein? They were making money. Turned their heads? This journalist contends it was covered up and the focus turned to the sex trafficking to protect the dirty financial dealings of an elite ( untouchable?) group and that’s why he was silenced. Everyone knows he was killed. Also when a small percent owns the worlds natural resources why change anything? There was a provision for deducting electric cars that would give great tax relief to consumers who bought one in one of Bidens packages that was taken out due to “ opposition.” Certainly you could see the elimination of gas guzzling vehicles as a solution to the environment, in part, and this could be encouraged through tax savings to the masses. Win win? Nope. It never is. Putin is putting a pipeline through Mongolia to strengthen its hold on the resources and strengthen relations with China as we speak. Ronald Reagan’s tax policies reduced taxes on the wealthy from70% to 28% overall and it’s since been going in this direction. Clinton’s helped by deregulating banking and finance which was a huge boon to the 1%. And it continues on …with growing frustration and a rise in stupid unfounded conspiracy theories. The middle class has been pinched and our youth aren’t getting married or having children as they can’t afford to do so. This has lead to negative population growth which Elon says is the number one threat to the world. There are many threats to the world arising from this unbridled greed. A combination of psychopathological greed and overall ignorance, is the problem…my two cents. Natural disasters, crime increases, mental health crisis. Yup and growing. My hope is the pendulum swings with the young generations once they enter power. And your work SP is needed!!!!
Thank you, Contagion.
I practice “Right Livelihood,” meaning I have always pursued the work I know I am good at and I know is for the good of others.
People that are against learning usually combat education by throwing money data at you, most often quoting the few “geniuses” that made it without studying. Spontaneous success, though, is scarce and rare. In my case, money is not a measurement of success anyway. Joy and quality time are.
Being stupid is for example not wanting to know that the rich leaders you elect are NOT gonna give a shit about your impoverished situation and only want your vote, dog whistling politics being one of the strategies to make this happen (which you indirectly made a reference to when mentioning the use of divisive manipulation). But it’s not recent. “Divide et impera,” divide and conquer, is an ancient military strategy.
Brian Epstein or Jeffrey Epstein?
Brian managed the Beatles. He was gay as a maypole in a time when that was forbidden, but only liked adults. Tough leather types, apparently.
Ohhh, HG, you went political in this one! Surprising! And interesting! Excellent article!! Thank you!
Excellent piece of writing, HG, thank you X
Thank you