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"Stupid
is as stupid does…"
As I was growing up, people used to say
that I was a 15-year old 30-year old. Somehow
I was blessed with adult sensibilities at
a very young age and was able to escape
the reigns of stupidity that seems to run
rampant throughout the world. This is not
to say that I've never done anything stupid,
but rarely were those stupid moments done
with the purpose of being stupid in mind.
Now to be fair, I'm not saying I'm some
kind of genius, but there are many variations
of stupidity.
There are those who drink to excess, smoke
cigarettes (or other items), and take drugs.
Are they stupid? Absolutely… no question.
I never fell into that variation of stupidity
so I've never killed anyone with a car while
drunk. I am able to speak to people without
my breath bowling them over, my fingers
aren’t yellow, and my clothes, house
and car don’t stink.
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As for the drug part, when I have conversations
with other people my words are generally coherent
and not peppered with giggles or blank spots.
There is also a variation of stupidity based on
overall intelligence. We have brilliant scientists
and authors right along with rednecks and trailer
trash. I kind of fall in between. I may not be
able to explain quantum physics, but my intelligence
quotient allows me to truly understand and discuss
it when I'm conversing with those who can. What
always fascinates me about these variations on
stupidity is that they are often mismatched. I
know doctors (smart) who smoke (stupid) and I
know rednecks (stupid) who don’t smoke (smart).
It boggles the mind.
But one of my favorite combination of stupidity
quotients come from the people who perform stupid
acts on purpose and those whose voyeuristic tendencies
force them to watch, and shockingly celebrate.
Take the guys who were involved in the series
"Jackass." These guys would set themselves
on fire, ride bicycles down incredibly steep hills
with the intent to fall, and even go so far as
to staple things to their genitals. They would
throw up or go to the bathroom in public all in
the name of humor. But in reality, they are just
stupid and unfortunately riding that stupidity
all the way to the bank.
Recently I watched a great little documentary
that focused this subject and was amazed to find
that I wasn't the only one who thought that the
majority of people in this country really are
stupid in some form or another. (Of course I used
to think it was about 95%, but after the last
election I was relieved to find it was only 52%...
think about it). In "Stupidity", filmmaker
Albert Nerenberg takes a hard look at how this
form of mental and social retardation takes form
in and around our country. He fills the time with
some wonderful examples, then breaks them down
into components that even… well… stupid
people can understand.
He also gathers interviews from some noted intellectuals
and weaves them throughout the production. I certainly
enjoyed listening to a few semi-intelligent people
talking about the rest of you, even it was at
times a little condescending (not that stupid
people would catch that). This particular documentary
really narrowed down the subject just to those
who perform stupid acts and those who watch them,
and it was so well done that I really wish that
Nerenberg would take an opportunity to create
a series of documentaries, each focusing on a
different level of stupidity. Like for example,
the corporate people who think it is better to
travel all the time and rarely see their family
(stupid) as opposed to those who prefer employment
that allows them to spend more realistic time
at home (smart). I think it would be a fascinating
series of documentaries.
Anyhow, the Disinformation Company is making "Stupidity"
available for the masses by releasing it on DVD
this month. The original documentary, which aired
on the Documentary Channel, has been expanded
for this release. But even with the additional
footage, the studio left room for some extra features,
most of which come in the form of extended or
unused interviews. Nerenberg also spend time with
a highly illuminating commentary that I highly
recommend listening to.
"Stupidity" is a great DVD release,
though one I fear will not appeal to as many people
as it should. Unfortunately too many viewers will
probably recognize themselves (especially in Texas),
even if they aren’t willing to admit it.
Directed by: Albert Nerenberg
Extras: Commentary by Director Albert Nerenberg,
Uncut and Extended Interviews with Noam Chomsky,
Bill Maher, Joel Schumacher and More, Documentary
Channel Interview with Albert Nerenberg
Studio: Disinformation Company
Release Date: 9/5/2006
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website
Website
We'll give Stupidity a B+.
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