With a list of adversarial disputations,
opposing forces to the right, freedom and reason of free speech endeavor
to restrict essential constitutional safeguards. In particular, aside
from illicit and dimwitted admonitions from the realms of academia,
supernatural ideologies attack and defame essential necessity of
personal expression. Among the antithesis of human liberation comes the
terroristic psychological and physical pillaging of freedom by extremist
fundamental occultic obsession. Led by the weak, the cowardly and the
ignorant, selfishness abounds.
Politics is but one arena where “anti-thinking” foments the specious
terrors of ignorance so grievous, that the viability of the American
republic hangs in the balance. For some, perhaps even a majority,
indulged in wonderment to consider the probably of eventual human
extinction. To that apocalyptic end, the political processes are but
elemental factor in an iceberg of societal selfishness. Closely aligned
is the cult of celebrity worship. The contemporary idiocy, from
Hollywood elitist to Washington politicians, promotes a dumber American
society.
Most often, actors, like so many across mainstream society, spew the
superficiality of their ignorance. Undereducated in so many aspects of
the real-world, their fictional fantasies blur the distinction between
the real and the surreal. All to often, such actions breach the
viability of free speech in such condemning ways, as to rebuke the
tenants of civility. Their divisive hate mongering tears at the basic
foundations of the revolutionary spirit of freedom. Given the gluttonous
satiation for selfishness, money, power, and control, prefers
ignorance. A few years, a British publication asserted the lunacy of the
“leftist elitist”. Building a case for the extremes of smug
self-righteousness is a trail of clues related to education versus
indoctrination.
With controversial engagements across the mainstream of society, some
analyst ponder the perceived notions regarding a decline in educational
ascendency. By contrast, a few agree that the American culture is
declining with consequences that indicate an eventual collapse. As
opposed to an enlightened constituency of well-educated, exceptionally
competent and mature people, a devolution seems more realistic.
Regardless of social strata, most of the population appears and acts in
very immature and child-like ways. Being ignorant became more
comfortable.
In accordance with the aforementioned sense of intellectual
dysfunction, one psychologist recently echoed a similar theme, by what
might be called “American dysfunction of anti-intellectualism”.
Asserting a kind of pathology of ignorance, the writer offered an
argument regarding the degradation of society by wide spread idiocy. By
absurd, foolish and immature behaviors, including stupid commentary by
elected officials, a deep sense of disappointment echoes among those
seeking solutions to serious social issues.
By neither social status nor college degree is there any guarantee of
extraordinary enlightenment. Likewise, regardless of educational
institution, graduation does not infer the capacity for saving the
planet, profound civil discourse or insistence upon the greater good. In
an earlier time, philosophical admonitions favored the necessity for
higher intellectual achievement beyond in formal system or communal
process. Creativity was an important element in pursuing the pioneering
spirit of innovation. Today, ingenuity finds few adherents.
In a post-modern context, disingenuous behaviors increasingly and
negatively exhibit a host of adversarial interactions. Divisive examples
are ever-present in news shows, as well as political forums. Emotional
reactivity is frequently the choice of actions rather than serious
analytic investigations. To insist upon a problem-solving venture by way
of critical thinking and logical analysis is not typically the path
chosen. A regressive tendency toward immature emotional responses
animates an inclination toward promoting conflict rather than
compromise.
While one person criticizes another for a posting in social media
that may violate “community standards”, another vicious torments others
for their political leanings. Intolerance for tolerance often depends on
whether or not the other person agrees with another’s opinion. In prior
times, open debate on controversial issues embraced the free spirit of
candid commentary. Now, the opposite seems more likely. Sensitivity to
everything shuts down the free exercise of alternative perspectives. At
the same time, emotional reactivity threatens factual authenticity.
For the purposes herein, the issues surrounding the conceptualization
of censorship relates to actions intended to suppress, restrict or
otherwise prohibit the dissemination of an artistic expression.
Primarily, the focus is toward social media, but not exclusively. As
such, the prohibitions, or attempted prohibitions, referred to include
restrictions on presentation or publication of various forms of
authorship. Writings of various kinds, articles, stories, books, novels
and so forth are examples. Additionally, consideration of creative works
likewise pertain to movies, films, photos, drawings and other related
works of art.
Whether an article on a controversial topic or an explicit depiction
of photographic art, the matter at hand is the intentional prohibition
of the art form. As an ongoing process of social and legal debate,
censorship in contemporary social media, including news media, suggests
an increasing antagonism toward innovative artistic endeavors. While the
First Amendment (U.S. Constitution) is the fundamental expression of
free speech, censoring an imaginative arty expression conjures debatable
implications in terms of legality, equity, and liberty.
Aside from legal ramifications, the implications of censorship are
manifold. Indirectly, one aspect entertained here is the notion that
censoring an online artistic genre speaks to an era of ignorance. As
intellectual capacity, along with a maturity for enlightened thinking,
diminishes over time, increased infantile reactivity is more likely. In
post-modern consideration, contemporary efforts by social media to
curtail selected expressions represent oppression. A “tyranny” of
intolerance pretending to be tolerant pervades social interactivity.
Another aspect suggests a devolving process of thinking that is
detrimental to human civilization. If, for instance, there is a
supposition that the human species is advancing, a counter argument
might infer the contrary. Contemporary sensitivity appears at an
all-time low in terms of overreaction to just about anything. As
controversy arises over criticism of an individual, an ideology, or a
flag, or baseball cap, a posting occurs on the net to demonstrate
outrage.
Extraordinary simplification, excessive rationalization and
contentious divisiveness degrade any semblance of a civilized society.
As such, there is a sense of arrogance in the ignorance. In an article
for a national newspaper, the online admonition of American society
focused on the commonplace “embracing of ignorance”. Accordingly, the
claim points to the current trend of glorifying ignorance and disdaining
intellectualism. While believing in something without facts or evidence
is one thing. It is quite another to make public policy based on
belief.
Someone might question which is worse, not having evidentiary
substantiation, or denying the reality of factual relevance and doing
something stupid. This is where a serious regard for rationality
searches carefully among the volumes of psychobabble to question the
nature of proof. Solvability of an issue invites the various aspects of
efforts directed toward provability. For most issues, many rely on
gossip, hearsay, opinion and superficial conjecture that says nothing
and does nothing. Frequently, this satiates an inner desire to make
idiotic notions valid.
Another headline from a different informational perspective asserted a
study that suggested people do not like their strongly held beliefs
questioned. Based on a limited research configuration form a major
private college, researchers sought to assess the knowledge base of the
average voter. As related to things like climate change, for instance,
overuse of information dissemination may case deeper controversies to
arise. Too much information leads to confusion among diverse parties to a
public debate, especially if the basis for knowing something is
limited.
A debasing conjecture might suggest that an entity or external
mechanism causes people to do one thing or another, but that is
dangerously misleading. Not only that, but also such specious notions
perpetuate an atmosphere of ignorance. Such things become a vicious
cycle of regressive tendencies for the sake of foolish excuses. As to
that, the commentary is often heard about how the “internet makes people
stupid”, or how “technology” or “social media” contributes to violence,
etc. Briefly, inanimate objects cannot make people do things.
Lifeless inert “entities” do not possess the power for such
influence. People intentionally and willfully make their own choices and
there are no excuses for their bad decisions. However, to ensure the
lofty status of ignorance, many will concoct all manner of mitigation.
By malice aforethought, premeditation and intention infliction, people
do all kinds of perpetrations. Once the blame went to demons, ghosts and
goblins. Today, it is just about anything external to the person that
receives blame for maladaptive behaviors. Not much difference than
demonic possession.
Regardless, such human antics do not elevate the species to an
advanced civilization by any stretch of the imagination. Grotesque and
undignified fallacies of inference permeate talk shows, talking head
news outlets, schoolrooms, legislative sessions, social media and the
list goes on. Subjective validation for the sake of cognitive bias,
absent facts and evidence, supplants in-depth critical analysis based on
vigorous inquiry. Instead, the modern malady of social discourse tends
to rely heavily on opinion in an appeal to inauthentic “authority”.
Such an appeal to the pretention of some source, or someone,
possessing the exceptionality of an authoritative perspective, is
potentially dangerous. The guru, the shaman, the spiritualist, or the
metaphysician, are likely to perpetrate grievous errors of self-centered
thinking. As alluded to earlier, in a stardom-fixated culture, the
incessant adoration surrenders to the opinion, gossip or rumors fomented
by popularity. Using fame and fortune as a benchmark for knowledge and
wisdom encourages a larger framework of social stupidity. Because
someone can play a part in a movie, perform on stage, or nominated for
an award, does not confer enlightenment.
Yet, repeatedly, “intellectual capacity” is erroneously ascribed to a
star personality, whether movie luminary or talk show host. Similarly,
as 24/7 cable network news sources slant toward personal opinion, the
greater the probability of shallow thinking. In reality, these could
actually be some of the most notoriously uninformed people on the
planet. A careful analysis of the contemporary rhetoric reveals a
serious failure of fact driven analysis. Evidence seems to have lost its
value and necessity in favor of personal opinion. Repeatedly, feelings
are valued more.
Continuing the commission of the decline of intellectual honesty, a
collegiate talk show interview of one researcher expressed
disappointment in politicians. Reminiscing the sage commentary of one of
the founding fathers, the republic is in danger when ignorance has an
expectation of freedom. To paraphrase, as stupid culture cannot hope for
a free society. In a frightening reflection on modern society, a
researcher points to the foolish discourse found in American politics.
Politicians often say the stupidest things.
One point of view on this matter of egregious ignorance in political
commentary, relates to how such fallacies mirror society. Whether by
partisan bias, political expediency, or contrived selfishness for power
and control, the lack of intellectual curiosity and analytic reasoning
undermine the principles of a democratic republic. Worrisome is the
notion as to the trend toward anti-rationality, or the ability to ensure
constructive reason in logical analysis.
That coupled with the arrogance of embracing ignorance ought to be
the warning signs of a collapsing culture. A few would argue the
disastrous consequences for the human species. Others aligned with the
fear of eventual human extinction would accept the idea that this is the
dawn of the “zombie apocalypse”. The debasing nature of stupid
thinking, or as some would prefer, “magical thinking”, portrays an era
of conceited preference for being uninformed. To exploit that with
emotional reactivity and cultural advancement devolves to regressive
depths.
Meanwhile in academia, the bastion of knowledge and wisdom, a
presupposition asserts the posture that high levels of intelligence
mount the precipice of human advancement. When the laughter dies down,
some argue there is no guarantee of vast realms of enlightenment within
the hallowed halls of ivy towers. According to some educators, just the
opposite is the reality. One college professor offers an assessment of
the “dumbest generation”. By way of little or no mature leadership,
trendy vulgarity, simplistic thinking and a host of other intellectual
maladies, younger generations insist upon a devolving mediocrity of
infantile narcissism.
In addition, the contentions, as to a devolving state of arrogant
ignorance, falls upon lazy self-righteousness smugly neglecting the
rigors of human advancement. A failure to ascend beyond adolescence and
insist upon a mature grown world condemns society to eventual collapse.
According to some, a small niche of serious minded mature individuals,
the “dumbest generation” or generations, do possess sufficient capacity
to deal with future societal problems. A fundamental deficit of critical
knowledge in areas of commerce, industry, government and educational
institutions hastens the regressive deterioration of a democratic
republic.
One may or may not want to transpose “knowledge deficit” with
stupidity. Applying a stupidity factor might hurt the sensitivities of
those desiring to remain adolescent into adulthood. Nonetheless, a
serious shortfall in socio-economic and political astuteness traversing
rampant throughout mainstream society is dangerous. Added to that
burdensome responsibility of being generally smarter than average, are
the woefully scarce levels of historical ignorance. As earlier writers
warned, failing to learn from history is the vital lesson of history.
Coupled with educational narrowmindedness, particularly in collegiate
settings, along with ideological agendas, the perpetration of “dumbing
down” continues to erode the higher prospects of intellectualism.
Assuming an exceptionality principle from the realms of real science,
there are always noteworthy exemptions from sweeping generalities.
However, when it comes to humankind and the maladaptive intentions of
foolish behaviors exceptions few. With the political arena for instance,
there are very few exceptions of extraordinary intellect, with wise and
mature exhibitions of serious leadership ability. As younger
generations run for public office, let us say those under 40 years old,
where most millennials reside, the prospects get scary. The arrogance in
ignorance expands astronomically among the younglings attempting to
manage governmental organizations. At the national level, stupidity in
spite of alleged college education is frightening.
In pursuit of the warn paths of least resistance, asserting the
nebulous notions of pretentious offense, the ignorance of the many
fixate on the “selfieness” of selfish promotion. Once the unimaginative
protest proclaims self-defeat, the unlabored ignorance relishes in the
satiation of less strenuous mediocrity. Criticisms rage the hallow
failures of critical thinking for the amative excitement of myth, magic
and metaphor. Refuge finds company in the shallow fluff of forsaking
reality for immediate gratification. Blustering blather endangers the
republic.
For the gushing eroticism of quick release, the fatted bellows
bemoaning the logic and reason of serious thought spew impotent
conjecture. As to the perpetration of tired ideologies, reinvented by
venal strains of limp minded arrogance, fear of evidentiary
substantiation perpetrates the replacement of facts with fictions.
Haughtiness of unintelligent, uninformed and uneducated self-imposed
offensiveness, breed the illicit dangers that threaten cultural
ascendency. Within that framework, the absence of profound creativity
stifles the advance of enlightenment.
Acting “anti-social”, a word used too frequently in an ill-informed
society, portrays an easily chosen means to get what one wants at the
expense of others. Given the options, people will always act in their
self-interests, which could beneficial or not. Excuses for stupid
behaviors have run the deceptive and manipulative gambits philosophies
as “science”, to political commentary as fact. Fictions promulgate the
deceptive intentions of ill-intentioned adherents, presupposing their
ignorance remain unchallenged. As to a majority that follow the
superstitions of misguided dogma, the doctrines of illicit ideologies
forsake the viability of social advancement.
For some, there are UFOs in every mysterious movement in the sky.
Others delve into the phantoms of phantasm, where ghosts, goblins and
gremlins lurk. From there, the adventure skirts the outer regions of
mindful ideations to chase the mysterious manifestations of social
dysfunction. In that, the instigators provoke the terror of monsters
from the Id. From illusions thought real, which fail the proof of real
scientific validation. As gullibility runs amuck, the believability
leaps to faithful allegiance to chemical therapies for hidden demonic
forces.
To perpetuate an industry of “mind-body-illness-wellness” forsakes
the liberation of individuality to promote the feeble excuses of the
many. From invisible “addictions” to superstitious flirtations,
inflictions unfold that oppress and enslave as many as possible. In
part, such antics promote the anti-intellectualism rising in
contemporary context. As a result, some fear the arrogance of ignorance
is one of the most deadly threats to modern society.
