Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the the universe — Albert Einstein
I am in total agreement with columnist Arthur Black’s recent (The News, Nov. 20) observations on idiocy and the potential for a new industry it provides.
Examples of stupidity abound.
In Australia, an idea to licence smokers has been forwarded. Pundits of the plan tout the governments ability to limit how much can be smoked by legislative control, all leading to eventual good health.
In Canada, a mother is demanding city council remove three oak trees near her daughter’s school because of their propensity to drop acorns. Her 13-year-old girl has a nut allergy.
I offer that the ‘stupidity gene’ these and others are exercising so well has a positive function in human evolution.
This gene has a vital role in human evolution and exercising it should be considered sacrosanct.
Our Cro-Magnon fore bearers had no thoughts of spear safes or bow registries. No single North American tribe ever required their warriors to wear protective headgear into battle. Thus we have the non-stupid survivors/descendants with us today.
If exercising my stupidity gene removes me from the gene pool then we can be assured that there will be less stupidity in the future.
Failure to exercise my right to be stupid simply increases the level of the same in later generations.
In conclusion, I suggest greater appreciation for those displaying idiocy and exercising stupidity — they are working diligently to further human evolution.
Ryan Lengsfeld
Nelson