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STUPIDITY REDUX
Sunday Apr. 2, 2017
Stupidity has always existed – and long ago, stupidity was often fatal. Today, when few things are fatal, what defines stupidity?
These ‘Watergate hearing words’ have found their way into journalism’s vernacular: what did ‘that person’ know and when did he/she know it?
That, together with happenings lately cause me to question the sanity of some people – in situations where costly seeable events unfolded because really smart people, really smart organizations and supposedly smart systems overlooked obvious flaws and shortcomings – they have no excuse for the costly outcomes. White House folks own no exclusive on this kind of stupidity – they just more press about it.
Does due-diligence, thinking things through and experience count for anything anymore?
There was a time, not long ago, where someone’s expertise, process and checklist prevented foolish errors. Now, in the world of data, apps and better technology than ever in history, smart people are doing stupid things.
There is no ‘app’ for common sense.
I’ve had way too much American politics in recent months (my gag-reflex is getting weary) – not this media frenzy alleging so much with seasoned serious journalists and politicians alike suggesting this is the biggest brew-ha-ha-ah since Watergate (a.k.a. third-rate burglary with an amateur cover-up) …
I was thinking of a re-work of that Watergate era phrase, to this one: What should they have foreseen and when should they have foreseen it?
Is stupidity fatal today?
Not as it once was, but lately it seems to be gaining prominence in high places – and maybe that’s a good think in the ‘rise and fall’ sense of history repeating itself. Or maybe I’m just getting old …
morning walk/calorie burn: 0C/32F, overcast sky seems to be breaking up – Gusta has now re-inspected all her favourite sniffing places, she’s up to speed on who has peed where in her absence; steady breeze, quiet morning … birds chirping spring tunes and a flock of geese heading north rounded out our experience …
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