Discussion»Statements»Rosie's Corner» Once burned, twice shy should apply in every situation unless you're stupid. Is stupid hereditary or a learned reaction?
Unless you are born physically and mentally incapacitated, I'd have to say that it's a learned reaction. However, there are well versed, well educated persons who articulate positions as good as any and better than some, who pride themselves in being 100% dyed in the wool, genuine stupid by design and by choice. As Lincoln said: "It's better to keep one's mouth shut and be thought a fool, than to open it and remove all doubt."
In my view, human babies are born the stupidest animals on earth, but with the highest capacity and desire to learn.
Environmental influences (including family, culture, education, nutrition, health and exposure to pollution) have a critical effect on how, how well, and what we learn.
Unless there is a neurological flaw, all humans are capable of life long learning - and even where there is neurological disability, huge learning can sill be achieved.
Most stupidity without a biological cause is attitudinal, emotional and/or environmental in origin. Emotions play a primary role in confidence and motivation.
I appreciate those who are logical, sensible, reasonable Hartfire. If something doesn't make sense to me I say so in hopes that with enough information it will or the person promulgating it will realize it is in fact nonsense. There are certain groups of people to whom logical is anathema. They coincidentally are the same ones to whom Truth is what they say it is or are told it is by their "supreme leader". I can't deal with them. I think they're mental prisoners because they have allowed partisan emotion to overtake them and thus there is no brain activity there at all. There is only obedient acceptance of what others tell them to believe. That annoys me so I ask about it. Being ignorant can be cured if and only if the ignorant person is aware of it and wants to learn. Stupid dumb folks are closed off to all information because there is a chance it will undermine/sabotage/destroy what they PREFER to believe. I think it's a very sad thing to observe and it is an impossible thing to accept. They will hold their hand over the fire until the hand is burned if they are told to do so by their "leader". I mean this figuratively of course. But I wouldn't doubt that some would do it literally. Different strokes. Once you are incarcerated by the shroud of emotion you are lost. You cannot think clearly in that state which is why we are in the pickle we are today. TRUMP speaks and his followers/believers accept anything/everything no matter what. SIGH. Thank you for your reply! :)
Benedict Arnold 