What was once considered embarrassment,
an occasion to introspect and attempt to improve, is now seeking exceptionalism.
We entered the age of stupidity. Stupid people,
stupid occasions and happenings -a mischance now a norm, are watched and rewatched
and connected to deeply satisfying meaning of existence of appalling. Stupidity
was always present but in the sidelines deeply cognizant of its lack. With herd
hunters mollycoddling herd of their special bearing presence and unique attribute
as collective -that doesn’t pass any basic critically scrutiny, in a primitive society
history becomes a hunting ground for obsessive narrative control. Myths and
fiction replace the reality and is keenly worked to hold its say in the
present and worked into bleak future. Stupidity demands no strain on the intellect
and is easily swayed by glib and glitter. It helps nurture mediocrity and general
ugliness all around. It thrives on quantity and is deeply suspicious of quality
or anything that needs strain. Stupidity is in the comfort of laziness,
easiness of dealing and confidence of assertion. It is incapable, and is no
doubt incapacitated, to see beyond the veil of ignorance and self-righteous morality.
With social media providing unbridled access stupidness, lacking any discernible skill or redeeming quality, is now a vehement choice. Being stupid is no longer an embarrassment when you are bombarded with everyday stupidity as choice that see immense gain. Attribute of self-conscious, an indelible aspect of human to be circumspect and try to create a better version, is seen as inhibition -a problem. Choosing crass and crude is an expression of self that consolidates into collective sedation and acceptance of ugliness and irresponsible. In the overwhelming presence of mediocrity and ugliness truth and beauty shrinks. An ugly public space -building, statue etc., a mediocre shoddy work, crude unruly uncouth people…all conspire against subtleties and evolved possibilities. This diminishes humanity and pushes into violence of all forms.
With misinformation and disinformation, chaos and alienation, old world crumbling rapidly and technology intruding at breathtaking speed, the incapacity to accept complexities of meaning and absurd, the existential crave for certainty becomes urgent. Sedated unthinking mass is floating for anchor. Since responsible dealing with present needs incisive empathetic mind, and acceptance of ordinary lacking glitter or glamour or attention seeking, the insular primed in exceptionalism and grand myth of its collective becomes easy target for manipulators. Evil has logic and pattern hence can be dealt by analyzing and systematically negating. What when evil uses stupidity as its front? Stupidity by its very nature lacks logic or pattern, the crass excitable hops from one near catastrophe to new possible catastrophe. And with power to destroy world many times over we move from one precipice to another with baited breath while stupidity immune to immense urgent challenges celebrates its latest attention while the self-help industry and spiritual charlatans goad to enjoy the scene -live in the present, without any awareness or knowledge whatsoever, connect to pristine and pure stupidity!
