my dumbass ignorant stupid fucking retarded post of idiocy

[hellbilly]

If you're not asking questions, you're doomed to be stupid.

The average American doesn't question much.

I'm sure we can agree that it is a much easier in life to go with the flow. Especially when it is clear that questioning authority can result in you getting your head cracked in.

In this system, American's have very little power over what happends to them politically. To think that a person who only gets one vote in a couple of elections a year, should feel empowered to make any sort of political changes is ludicrous. Why bother getting involved, or questioning anything when your voice does not amount to a speck on the radar.  I believe that most people are intelligent, but are just so uninspired that they don't care about politics or philosophy.

In addition, I've seen myself become more and more isolated (by choice) because of what I believe. I think if you are going to go the anti-gov route you must be wiling to either, keep your mouth shut when it comes up in social situations (almost impossible), or be prepared to be singled out as a wacko. Unfortunately society has caused most people to fear confrontation so they nod in agreement to the accepted norms. After all, they killed Socrates for asking too many damn questions.

Dunno.. I see it very differently than that.

"questioning" doesn't have to be an aggression, or even action. People don't seem to be questioning things even passively, in their own heads- aside from "Should I get the Value Size.." or "Who'll win IDOL?!".. know what I mean? In political conversations, most people don't comment much because they don't know much.. it isn't that they fear being viewed as a kook, most folks just don't care enough to know even some of the big picture.

I think Americans have a huge amount of power in the system. But they choose to remain passive and uniformed. They're coddled and reassured that someone else has the answers, someone else has their best interests in mind and that all it takes is for everyone to follow the rules. Today's Americans have it easy, live excessive lifestyles, are addicted to both work and play- but they aren't responsible. Intelligent? I don't know, really. Smart, sure- but being unable (or not caring enough) to get the full picture?

[CaL DaVe]

If you're not asking questions, you're doomed to be stupid.

The average American doesn't question much.

I'm sure we can agree that it is a much easier in life to go with the flow. Especially when it is clear that questioning authority can result in you getting your head cracked in.

In this system, American's have very little power over what happends to them politically. To think that a person who only gets one vote in a couple of elections a year, should feel empowered to make any sort of political changes is ludicrous. Why bother getting involved, or questioning anything when your voice does not amount to a speck on the radar.  I believe that most people are intelligent, but are just so uninspired that they don't care about politics or philosophy.

In addition, I've seen myself become more and more isolated (by choice) because of what I believe. I think if you are going to go the anti-gov route you must be wiling to either, keep your mouth shut when it comes up in social situations (almost impossible), or be prepared to be singled out as a wacko. Unfortunately society has caused most people to fear confrontation so they nod in agreement to the accepted norms. After all, they killed Socrates for asking too many damn questions.

Dunno.. I see it very differently than that.

"questioning" doesn't have to be an aggression, or even action. People don't seem to be questioning things even passively, in their own heads- aside from "Should I get the Value Size.." or "Who'll win IDOL?!".. know what I mean? In political conversations, most people don't comment much because they don't know much.. it isn't that they fear being viewed as a kook, most folks just don't care enough to know even some of the big picture.

I think Americans have a huge amount of power in the system. But they choose to remain passive and uniformed. They're coddled and reassured that someone else has the answers, someone else has their best interests in mind and that all it takes is for everyone to follow the rules. Today's Americans have it easy, live excessive lifestyles, are addicted to both work and play- but they aren't responsible. Intelligent? I don't know, really. Smart, sure- but being unable (or not caring enough) to get the full picture?

I think that the truth lies in between our statements. I'm trying to think about my parents and my sisters as to whey they don't care about politics. I know they are all very intelligent people, but like you are saying, they are just not inspired to question politics to get the full picture.

I really think you hit it on the head by saying that American's have it easy. Perhaps things are not bad enough in our current situation for the masses question...anything. When you can order a Oreo pizza from dominoes, and have it delivered right to your door, who needs to questions anything? Life is good. But when they shoot your buddy in a BART station, or the government takes away your house, there is now a reason to question.

I have reasons to question a lot of things that happen but once I start spouting off my nonsense, my family gets upset because they think I'm trying to pick a fight. But, all I'm trying to do it have a friendly debate.

All in all i don't know what the heck it is. But I like to think of people as intelligent beings just waiting for the right thing to click in their minds to spring them into action.

[hellbilly]

I've definitely taken it for granted, the way I conduct discussions on this BBS, being as open as I am- that hasn't worked well face to face with anyone. I haven't been outright rude, but when I say shit like "what are people thinking?!" - people begin to take offense. No one wants to feel slack or guilty, so like you said.. better get that Oreo pizza here ASAP!

[CaL DaVe]

I've definitely taken it for granted, the way I conduct discussions on this BBS, being as open as I am- that hasn't worked well face to face with anyone. I haven't been outright rude, but when I say shit like "what are people thinking?!" - people begin to take offense. No one wants to feel slack or guilty, so like you said.. better get that Oreo pizza here ASAP!

BTW that is one nasty ass in your avatar!!

[Ecolitan]

BTW that is one nasty ass in your avatar!!

yeah dude, you'd be doing us all a favor to find something a little less... hideous.

[CaL DaVe]

BTW that is one nasty ass in your avatar!!

yeah dude, you'd be doing us all a favor to find something a little less... hideous.

You talking to me? or ass man?

[Ecolitan]

ass man

[fatcat]

No, people in general are really stupid.

48% of people believe "God created human beings pretty much in their present form at one time within the last 10,000 years or so."

Not only do most people believe in blatantly false things, but they hold blatantly self contradictory beliefs without even realizing it.

The fact its not out of incapability makes it worse in my opinion. Most people are just A) lazy B) intellectual cowards C) lazy, intellectual cowards.

If you actually think about lots of issues, with even a trivial measure of objectivity, then the reality is extremely obvious. Does drug prohibition work? Of course not. Is there any evidence that any gods exist? negatory. Should you believe in something just because you can't prove it doesn't exist? nope. But its uncomfortable for most people to even think about their beliefs being wrong, let alone accept that they're wrong, so people rationalize and equivocate like a motherfucker, warping their view of reality and logic to fit their beliefs, rather than basing their beliefs around reality and logic.

[hellbilly]

Yep and that too fatcat!

[CaL DaVe]

You make a good point, fatcat.

[KLyndsey]

I feel like as children, we all ask questions when something isn't logical to us. I personally remember wondering why my mother got a ticket when she didn't do anything to hurt anyone (speeding). Asking when god created dinosaurs also went over really well in my CCD classes at church. As we become older, those who stop questioning and start accepting are the ones whom I would consider stupid. Ignorance just means one hasn't asked the right questions...which is stupid.