On Fri, 7 Oct 2005, Wojtek Sokolowski wrote:
> So to summarize, there are three mains sources of learned stupidity:
> hierarchical family structure, power hierarchy, and social pressure to
> conform. Since all three are present in every human society, this explains
> the ubiquity of stupidity.
The problem with this analysis is that intelligent behavior is also the product of these same forces. Consider, for example, graduate studies in theoretical physics: they are under tremendous social pressure to think creatively and rigorously! Power hierarchies and conformity socially produce intelligent people, too. (Social forces expand human potential; they don't simply control or limit it!)
Miles