Stupidity is one of those things that is sometimes difficult to define, and yet it’s always relatively easy to recognize.  Although we as humans have progressed by leaps and bounds with regards to science, technology, and an overall understanding of the world around us, it seems like these advancements have come at the expense of our thirst for learning and knowledge.  The great Albert Einstein once said (supposedly), “Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I’m not sure about the former.” – He declared this in the early- to mid-1900s too, so I can only wonder what Mr. Einstein would think if he were a member of today’s society.  The steady decline in intellectualism (and increase in anti- intellectualism) could be attributed to a number of different factors, ranging from the quality of children’s education to TV programming.  For instance, American student’s test scores rank near the bottom in most every educational marker (reading, mathematics, science), and a network that calls itself “The Learning Channel” consists of compelling educational shows like Say Yes to the Dress, Little Chocolatiers, and Cake Boss.  It is easy to say that many outside influences factor into the equation, but is there a root cause from which this newly established idiocracy was formed?  Well in 2003, director Albert Nerenberg attempted to answer this question in a documentary aptly titled Stupidity; the film takes a look at modern culture through file footage, and features interviews from a wide variety of people who discuss our infatuation with ignorance.  In the end, Nerenberg concludes that “despite our culture’s extensive access to knowledge and information, humans continue to choose stupidity”.  As James Hetfield once said, “It’s sad but true”…

(Contains language)

While I don’t consider myself to be affiliated with any certain political party, it’s definitely harder for me to identify with the Republican talking heads that I hear on a daily basis - whether they’re on Capitol Hill, or polluting the TV/radio airwaves.  This is not to say that Democrats, Libertarians, Independents, or U.S. Pacifists are any better, but I would consider any of them the lesser (and usually younger) of two evils.  One of the undeniable truths that I took away from the 8 years under Dubya is that there are few things Republicans love more than some good, old-fashioned fear mongering  – another was that you can get elected to your 2nd term as President of the United States even if you go “full retard“.  This mode of not thinking was bad enough during the Republican run, but their political fearscape switched into high gear when Big Bad Barack Obama moved on up to that deluxe Oval Office in the sky.  I have no problem with people thinking Obama has done nothing of note with the power he’s been given so far, and I would somewhat agree with that assessment; but when I hear things like 1 in 3 NJ conservatives think he may be the anti-christ, and people drawing comparisons to Hitler, it makes me think that there may be greater powers of suggestion at work.  Well, the people at SuperNews have now confirmed that suspicion in one of their most recent videos.  Move over H1N1, because Fearus Ignoramia is sure to be the hottest epidemic since the Salem Witchcraft Trials.             

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself – nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.”  Franklin Delano Roosevelt