Has stupidity become a virtue of sorts?

Question

I recently had a rant in a previous question about people who are rewarded by the benefits system for making poor choices, and while I am happy to provide benefits with my taxes for people who genuinely cannot work and support myself, the others seem to be rewarded for laziness and stupid life choices.

But I digress, the fame of Jade Goody and her millions in cash are a fine example, emulated and made rich by society for all the wrong reasons - perhaps she really isn't as stupid as she pretends, but that just makes it worse!

It's now even cool to spell things wrong on purpose - cos u kno skool is 4 diks neway so y bovver?

With education in schools failing, the asbo and chav generation spilling into society everywhere and endlessly breeding, stupid and talentless celebs celebrated over the pages magazines acting like idiots and being celebrated for doing so, not to mention some of the offensive prats you see on this very site... I have to wonder; has stupidty become cool?

Dont you worry cheeky lad Charles, I've seen your signature around this place more than once and you've made me chuckle more than once.

Or should I say *ahem*

nah, spect 2 u chky lad, big up 2 u 4 yr hard wrk at uni!

Slim Tim, that is the most intelligent response to a question I have seen in ages. You make a bloody good point.

I can see you are gunning for best answer, and you just might get it.

Hey Keny, nice response but you didnt address any of it. Even you must admit that the number 1 thing Jade Goody is famous for is being stupid, she even plays on it. Its not so much her that bothers me - there are lots of stupid people after all - its that she has become a monument, to idiocy, a rolemodel for young kids to be stupid too as it might make them rich and famous too.

Besides, that was only one part of my question, even without Jade Goody the point still stands.

Take another look at my question and replace the word 'Jade Goody' with Jordan, Kate Moss, Jodie Marsh, Nikki from Big Brother or whoever else - theres no shortage of them - and see if you agree this time.

Answer 1

Me no understand big long words . . .
Arguably, stupidity cannot be helped in some people, and in many cases should not be discriminated against the way it is. Just because someone is naive, say, that doesn't mean they are doing the world any harm or are in any way "thick".
Some of the most intelligent people in the world design and build bombs. How clever is that?
The real problem is ignorance . . . this is a conscious decision to remain stupid, and yes, that is a problem.
Having said all that . . . sometimes those idiots REALLY piss me off. Sometimes . . .

Answer 2

Jade being picked on again
but i suppose this proves the point.only not the point you wanted to prove
What has she done to any one here to deserve the nasty spite full remarks that have been posted on YA about here for the last few days She had nothing ,to her credit she has done more than well for her self,anyone can switch the telly off or change channel if they don`t want to watch her
The problem isn`t her its the greed and jealousy so many people are eaten up with to the point they can`t be happy about someone Else's good fortune
All the horrible things that are happening in the world and hardly anyone cares they would sooner believe the lies they are fed by even more greedy self serving people than them self and turn a blind eye to the evil they are doing .
this is the level people have sunk to all the injustice there is in the world and what can people do behave like a jeering crowd of play ground bullies venting their hatred on Jade Goody

Answer 3

I have to disagree with your point on spelling im afraid. Language is meant to evolve or else we all still be speaking and writing in Shakespearian Language maybe even French like the Normans.

I completely agree with you about Jade Goody and the other Talentles fame seekers though. I dont call them Celebs( that word comes from Celebration of Talent and they have none to celebrate]. I think to some people stupidity has always been cool but now they have a forum. I think the saddest part is A lot of inteligent people do act stupid to appear cool wheter or not thats the case with Jade i dont know but i dont think it is.

Answer 4

Yes, right now, it is. Without naming names, some celebs have cashed in on being not too bright. They star in commercials, drag their babies around like they have a floppy doll in their hands not a human child. they give their dog away because it is too much trouble, they drink and drive, get caught repeatedly doing sex acts in places where they are sure to be seen. Homosexuality used to hidden in a deep, dark closet.Not anymore. Some celebs used to be persecuted because it was thought that they might be.
Negative publicity has become a good thing, celebs seem to do things to get their names noticed, it does not matter how, and it really does not seem to damage their popularity, or decrease the money they rake in because of it.
In the generation of my parents, drinking and women chasing was frowned upon, but acceptible behavior. People were banned from show biz for maybe having communist ties, found themselves looking, and not finding a job over a divorce or drug abuse, raked over the coals for being aloof or abusive to their children. Not any more. These things are celebrated. Rap music is celebrated as an art form, it talks about killing, and treats women as sexual objects. Dancing, always sensual and suggestive, emulates the sex act, graphically.
Stupidity is cool.
How to stop it? Quit buying the tabloids, stop going to web sites to see what the Jessica Simpsons of this world are doing today, Did you know Yahoo! says her web sites got more hits than anyone elses? Oh, dear, I mentioned her name, there's some free negative publicity for her! And stop buying their products.

Answer 5

The world and certainly Britain has been turned on its head. The stupid, the greedy and obviously the ugly are rewarded. Never mind Goody just look at politics. Enough said.

Answer 6

It does feel like it. Celebrities being famous because they're famous....it has nothing to do with achievement!
It is also fashionable to not study at school...(I'm glad my daughter doesn't think that way).
We have given celebrities too much importance...and we have been celebrating the wrong people. It's easier to celebrate the stupid ones...that way you can easily emulate them and you don't have to try and achieve something in life. People want the easy way.

Answer 7

To put it really succinctly, being a right git has become kewl. If I answered your question, I hope I wasn't counted in the lot you just described. If so, a lot of money spent on uni has gone to naught.
--That Cheeky Lad [hopefully not a git or prat]
P.S. I do use "prolly" and "wot" in communication here, but I do know when to be formal, and when not to be so rigid.

Answer 8

I don't know why people worship celebrities. This is something that I have noticed liberals do far more than even the conservatives.

Answer 9

yeh,i think it has but somehow we Brits seem to like people who are dumb because it gives us something to laugh at and also in some cases it makes people who arent so clever feel better about themselves

Answer 10

great question...yes it had and I hate it! I have a real problem with stupid people.