Poll: Has the world gotten more stupid/ignorant in the last few years?

[McClaud]

Which brings up the point, why is it that in politics one has to completely associate themselves with one political party to get anywhere? Why is it unreasonable to be pro choice and want a free market? Why is someone shunned by all if they are anti gun control but still think that religious crap should have nothing to do with government? Society sucks.

Because as years progressed, political parties are more of a game than true serious issues. It's a game of immediately saying the exact opposite of the other political party. Are all Democrats pro-choice? No. Are all Republicans pro-life? No. Are all Democrats for stricter gun control? No. Are all Republicans for less responsible gun control? No.

See the pattern? The problem is that the HEADS of the parties say that you can't be a member of the party if you aren't marching directly in line with everything they believe in. For example, Mike Steele just said that if you are a Republican that believes in stem cell research, then your funding from the GOP in the future is in jeopardy since you absolutely have to campaign on a "No Stem Cell Research" platform like the rest of the GOP. Democrats aren't so obvious or strict as that, but that's how it's turning out nowadays.

Go see the "What is your political affiliation?" thread if you want to see more of this.

 

[Plauged1]

Sorry, I did look around but didn't see it anywhere. If I had known about this thread being done I would have thought of something else. My sincerest apoligies. And by people fucking up vampires and homophobia, I have a very homophobic friend who won't touch anything involving vampires because he thinks that they are gay. How are they gay, I asked and he asked when haven't vampires been a part of the gay stereotype. So not only does he follow stereotypes, he can't even get those right. I then had to explain all stereotypes, properties of a vampire and how it is the 21st century and how he needs get over gays. As I was explaining this I noticed his reactions and people who were listening in on us and realized that the people thought that he was right. I also looked at his reactions and realized that it was a lost cause and a waste of time. Whats sad is that he is not the only person who does this and thinks this. (This all took place in Wal-mart by the way. Perhaps it is just my taste in friends who dumb me down?)

 

[Jaedon]

Hard to say. Definitely the stupid people outnumber the intelligent and always have but it seems saddening that most media is being dumbed down to respond to that, getting worse over time and as a knockoff, making people care less to even try to be anything else in the process.

 

[Arcane Snowman]

I wouldn't call it an increase in stupidity, as much as an increase in the general populous. The problem however is ignorance, often due to poor education.

 

[Plauged1]

Thanks everyone. But isn't it usually stupidity that causes ignorance? Like my said friend not understanding and following stereotypes? And if it is just the amount of stuff I run into as a 15 year old,then why can't anything be done about it? Are people too damn stupid to notice the stupidity going into their childrens heads? Is now the time and place to worry about/fix it? Its these questions that I don't have answers for and really confuses me about how the world got to be this way, because I dont remember it being this stupid and ignorant a few years ago. Again, thanks and sorry for the rethread. Remember to ask for details and my opinions when you want them.

 

[Jeronus]

No, we voted for a good president this time. That must mean we got smarter.

Even stupid people get it right once in a while.

Back to the topic, we live in age where people can't be held account for their stupidity and therefore are left dumber than before. Our kids can cay something wrong and instead of being told their wrong they get a pat on the back for trying. Of course, the education system is not completely too blame. Technology has advanced in such a manner that people don't try to think anymore. I am not ranting against technology but just trying to make a point. For example, the example is a major source of misinformation. If someone were to quote a piece of information from the internet, seven out of 10 times they will be wrong. Also think about text messaging then watch this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBflm_S61Wg
Are people getting stupider? Yes. Is it our fault? Yes. Everyone is getting stupider they just don't know it yet.

 

[sleeperhit79]

of course we've gotten more stupid. As a society we don't have to think anymore. We get up, we go to our jobs, we go home, we play our video games or watch tv and we go to sleep and start the cycle again. And then you try to just have a moment when you just want to open a book and try to take it all in and people treat you like you're the retard. Don't get me wrong, there's smart people out there, and when I run into one I cling to them like velcro and yell "MINE" they're just not the norm anymore.

 

[Arcane Snowman]

Thanks everyone. But isn't it usually stupidity that causes ignorance?

not necessarily: if you are incapable of processing complicated information, you are stupid; if however, you have not acquired this information, by whatever means it has been denied you, you are ignorant.

I do not believe that people are getting less intelligent, it is true however that they are encouraged to think less or discouraged from thinking too much, that makes them ignorant, they still have the potential to become intelligent.

 

[Plauged1]

True, most forms of media are spoonfeeding us their thoughts, and telling us thats what we should think, but it confounds me that people are actually letting this happen to their generation. Oh and thanks for the video link, it is as hilarious as it is sad and true. (I am a fan of the Boondocks too. Texting is pretty stupid, though there are a few desperate occasions in which I will do it. And Ill try to add the extra option as you requested.)

 

[Twilight_guy]

No. If anything then you're just noticing it more now. Total amounts of expose to stupid people varies from year to year. Beware though that too much exposure to stupid people can cause permanent brain damage.

 

[Plauged1]

So Ive noticed. (Sorry about the extra option, it won't let me add it=( I am afraid you have to make due.) I am still here if you have questions or requests.

 

[Labyrinth]

Mindless consumers, that's the ticket, right?

We are bombarded with so much information that it's gone beyond our human capacity to retain. In short, death by overdose. You can back-check every story you ever see or hear in the media, the information is all there if you look for it, but you'll be wading through hours and hours of other crap, through propaganda, through code and ehh.... easier to believe than to think.

We shouldn't be allowed not to think for ourselves. We shouldn't be encouraged to do so, and yet it happens. Are we more ignorant? No. We just can't be bothered being smarter.

 

[Slift]

Answer? Yes.

Ugh. God yes. Can we make it stop? Please? Every few weeks there's another stupid-ass retarded story to cover on the news or something of the like.

X is cheating on y/X is cheating on X/Z threw a y at X/War/President of America/Bill O'Riley/etc.

I really, really, really don't give a damn, can we have more intellectual topics pop up? Something that'd make me, god forbid, want to socialize with people in general?

 

[Plauged1]

Socializing won't help, that just puts you more at risk of running into it, like my "friends".

 

[PurpleRain]

No way! I feel that our generation is far more intelligent then the media makes us out to be. All I can see is a lot of change for the better. More left-wing stances and more environmental pull.

Also, if you think we're getting dumber, take a lot back quickly at a few concepts of the past: Y2K scare, McCarthyism, Inquisition, Witch Burnings, etc. (I'm talking about western countries here, I know, some witch burnings and lynchings still happen around the world, though they're frowned upon heavily... with the death penilty.)

 

[McClaud]

Answer? Yes.

Ugh. God yes. Can we make it stop? Please? Every few weeks there's another stupid-ass retarded story to cover on the news or something of the like.

X is cheating on y/X is cheating on X/Z threw a y at X/War/President of America/Bill O'Riley/etc.

I really, really, really don't give a damn, can we have more intellectual topics pop up? Something that'd make me, god forbid, want to socialize with people in general?

Hate to tell you this, but things were like that back in the 70s and 80s as well.

One story after another on TV about how X did something retarded and Y reported it in the most biased manner possible, while Z was trying to invade B country.

It's not just now, it's always been like this.

 

[CapnGod]

Yes, and I hope you can't catch secondhand retard.

 

[PurpleRain]

No way! I feel that our generation is far more intelligent then the media makes us out to be. All I can see is a lot of change for the better. More left-wing stances and more environmental pull.

Also, if you think we're getting dumber, take a lot back quickly at a few concepts of the past: Y2K scare, McCarthyism, Inquisition, Witch Burnings, etc. (I'm talking about western countries here, I know, some witch burnings and lynchings still happen around the world, though they're frowned upon heavily... with the death penilty.)

But in place of those things, we have (at least, in America,) people who still think the world will end in the year 2012, people who yell "terrorist" and end up getting the FBI or NSA or whatever involved in everything, and other things I can't think of whilst trying to find something to dull this agonizing pain.

I'm not saying we're the smartest humans to grace the Earth, but I am saying we're not getting more stupid. Far from it. Especially with the birth of the internet, we can know learn so much more within forums, websites, articles and whatnot. I feel our generation, even there are so many people that should procreate, are makeing more of a change then before.

Plus the threat of terrorism is as far greater than the Cold War terror. That was screwed up.