The German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer thought it pointless to argue with stupid people. Instead he suggested that we observe them almost mechanically and with some amusement. We should allow them their logical fallacies and not become angry with them.
I am working on this in the age of Trumpism where the full array of human idiocy is on display.
Most people aren't malicious but instead combine ignorance with obtuseness and disinterest. They are unable to connect the dots that get them where they are in life and only later wake up when they have been impacted by the incoming train of calamity. Their lack of curiosity is their Achilles heel.
It was gas prices that finally got to some of the cult members. The misogyny, the racism, the cruelty seemed to suit them just fine and I saw the evidence with callers of political phone-in shows where their dim-witted bravado was on full display. The Dunning-Kruger effect is very much alive and well.
If I don't temper my disdain for the stupid I won't have a calm remainder of my life and so I work on taking the advice of Schopenhauer and add a pinch of empathy for good measure.
The old world order is over and the next few years will be volatile and messy. So I better buckle in and take long deep breaths.
