For this purpose, the word celebration is a synonym for acceptance. Turning a blind eye to something or not having the ability to recognize how painfully stupid it is can also be a celebration. The argument that the internet is a root cause of stupid decisions or stupid actions is just too easy. It is too large a target where blame can be placed and that argument alone is made so that a discussion does not have to happen. Looking at other sources and reasons is a much better place to start.

Comfort and complacency play a large part in stupidity. Are complacent people by nature stupid? Of course not. The working definition of “stupid” is much more broad. Being complacent can certainly give the appearance of laziness and a lack of interest in our world. Comfort comes into play because paying attention and doing the work required to verify facts is hard work. It takes time away from other things and it can be easier to just get information in sound bites or from sources that are not necessarily worthwhile. A great example would be politics where individuals often barely think beyond the information that they find comfortable and that perfectly fits their own world view. Someone voting for Donald Trump because of his stance on law enforcement is a ridiculously clear example of not thinking beyond information that offers comfort. Another example, and part of the threesome that makes up the topics never to be discussed, is religion. A ready made narrow view that offers both comfort and complacency. This book says how it is and no further thinking required. Boom, done. Historically, religion is the leading cause of human suffering and death. Definitely stupid.

The narrow world view that religion offers is the leading cause of blind eye syndrome. Seeing injustice, suffering, and cruelty around you but doing nothing about it because it does not directly affect you or it is happening to those that are different than you. Too many think that as long as it does not directly impact them then it simply does not matter.

Reality TV. There is absolutely nothing wrong with escapist entertainment. Everybody needs a way to escape from their own reality from time to time. The problem comes when this type of entertainment is the only type of TV that is viewed or is seen by the viewer as actually being worthwhile and on some level smart. The number of people that have a steady diet of reality TV is staggering. If it was marketed as being what it is, mindlessly stupid, would the numbers go up or down? What if it was offered as “entertainment to escape your own reality” instead of being what it is, a boring type of voyeurism. Again, would the numbers go up or down? Viewing drug addicts fight their battle, extreme obesity, relationship drama, and thinking that those that offer nothing to society are worth any time is the very definition of celebrating stupidity.

Safe talk and avoiding any form of controversy. Those with strong beliefs often simply do not want to have a conversation. Holding tightly to worldview they seem to become threatened and go from 0 to 100 on the defensive scale as soon as even the hint of a conversation is evident. Whatever your beliefs, why be afraid of talking about them? If you are so secure in what they are and who you are why get so defensive. This gives the appearance of stupidity because the fear of the discussion does not play well and often comes off as simple ignorance.

The acceptance and pseudoscience and fact and as being helpful is another broad sign of far reaching stupidity. A five-day liver detox by drinking water, vinegar, and citrus juice. Stupid. You have a live and kidneys, if they are not doing their job of detoxing then you are dying. You do not need a five-day program you need to go to the emergency room. Essential oils to cure everything from gout to insomnia to a persistent skin rash. No. Essential oils can smell good and be relaxing. End of their usefulness. Crystals, being against vaccinations, avoiding GMO foods, and thinking a pure organic diet will solve all your health woes. No. Vaccinate your kids, crystals are worthless, GMO is safe, and buying purely organic because of a label and because David Avocado Wolfe said so is just stupid.

Confronting stupidity when it is observed, speaking your mind, and going against the comforting and easy grain of society is a sign of resistance and resistance is good. Taking the path of knowledge is more difficult but oh so worth the effort. Now more than ever the fight against blatant stupidity is more important than ever.