Stupidity. A harsh word.
Unfortunately, it exists – and in multiple shades.
Recently I came across a book by Carlo M. Cipolla titled “The Basic Laws of Human Stupidity.” I found it on the coffee table at the home of my friend Sonu and his wife Julia in their mansion on a beautiful atoll in the Maldives.
I was sipping my dark Roman espresso whilst Sonu was conducting his business on his cell phone, disagreeing with whom he was talking to whilst Julia was sunbathing.
I looked through the book. It was small, less than 90 pages, and surprisingly originally written in English and published for the first time in 1976.
I opened the book and began reading when I caught Sonu saying “Do you understand what I am saying? Why has it not been done? Why the unnecessary delay?”
I shut Sonu out of my mind and started reading the small book. The book immediately caught my attention as the author explained his intriguing five rules of stupidity.
As I was turning the 51st page starting a chapter titled “Stupidity and Power” I heard Sonu hang up and make another call. I kept on reading as I finished my espresso and munched on a croissant.
On page 52 a smile crossed my face as the author wrote: “Among bureaucrats and politicians one has little difficulty in finding clear examples of basically stupid individuals whose damaging capacity was (or is) alarmingly enhanced by the position of power which they occupied (or occupy).”
The author added that misuse by religious dignitaries should not be overlooked.
A question I remember being brought up many times and raised by the author is “how and why stupid people can reach positions of power and consequence.”
I leave the author’s answer to be read by you.
As I turned the page again, I heard Sonu on his call say, “I am explaining for the third time. Now I need you to execute and get the team to work together to get the needed results instead of this disarray.”
I went back to focusing on the book to understand what makes a stupid person dangerous to others. I remembered my personal thoughts on the numerous, countless, times stupid people wasted time, energy, resources and did so in an unreasonable, irrational manner.
The author brilliantly explains the difference between rational danger and stupid danger and how the latter does not conform to rules of rationality, and thus leaves rational human beings at a disadvantage to deal with the consequences.
The author adds that erratic and irrational stupidity makes defense against such actions extremely difficult – a phenomenon we can observe.
Julia got up from her lounging in the sun and jumped into the pool after ordering something from the butler who was at her beck and call. She gave me a warm smile and I waved back, relaxing into the book.
The fourth basic law by the author commenced: “non-stupid people always underestimate the power of stupid individuals”, as well as the damage they can create. A question not addressed by the author to this point is how can an intelligent person avoid dealing with stupid individuals if, as outlined by the author, they are the ultimate majority?
Sonu walked back into the room apologizing about the disruptive calls. I smiled and pointed to the book as I put it back on the coffee table. I leave whoever wants more insight about stupidity to find and read this book.
Julia came from the pool in a pink robe with her hair up in a bun and holding a pink margarita. Julia asked for lunch to be prepared as both Sonu and I were hungry.
In the next twenty minutes before we moved to the dining room for lunch, Sonu and I, joined by Julia, discussed AI, biotechnology, factual fiction, humanoids and autonomous intelligence and their forthcoming consequences.
As we walked to the dining room I wondered how many of the eight billion human beings occupying this Earth considered or were aware of the five subjects we were discussing and exploring. I thought to myself whether ignorance or stupidity is the more dangerous characteristic.
Well, to another day.
About the author
M. Shafik Gabr is a renowned leader in international business, innovation, investment and one of the world’s premier collectors of Orientalist art, and an accomplished philanthropist.
During his career, Gabr established over 25 companies plus three investment holding companies including ARTOC Group for Investment and Development which, established in 1971, is a multi-disciplined investment holding company with businesses in infrastructure, automotive, engineering, construction and real estate, over the past three years focusing on investment in technology and artificial intelligence.
Gabr is the Chairman and a founding member of Egypt’s International Economic Forum, a member of the International Business Council of the World Economic Forum, a Board Member of Stanhope Capital, an International Chairman of the Sadat Congressional Gold Medal Committee, and a Member of the Parliamentary Intelligence Security Forum.
Gabr is a Member of the Metropolitan Museum’s International Council and serves on the Advisory Board of the Center for Financial Stability, the Advisory Board of The Middle East Institute, and the Global Advisory Council of the Mayo Clinic.
Through the Shafik Gabr Social Development Foundation, Gabr is helping to improve elementary-school education in Egypt, introducing students to arts and culture and promoting sports and physical fitness for youth. The Foundation has its first Medical and Social Development Center in Mokattam, Cairo, offering free medical and health services.
In 2012 Gabr established in the US the Shafik Gabr Foundation which supports educational and medical initiatives plus launched in November 2012 the ‘East-West: The Art of Dialogue initiative promoting exchanges between the US and Egypt with the purpose of cultural dialogue and bridge-building.
Gabr holds a BA in Economics and Management from the American University in Cairo and an MA in Economics from the University of London.
Stupidity Egypt Independent.
Hence then, the article about stupidity was published today ( ) and is available on EGYPT INDEPENDENT ( Egypt ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Stupidity )
Also on site :