How thick are some people?

Never underestimate the stupidity of people.

NIMAN wrote: »

I do despair at times. Any other examples?

Too many to mention. There are buildings in the US and other countries that lack a floor 13 merely because people are scared of a number. The whole fields of astrology and homeopathy and other "healing" would be another example. And we do not even have to get into the realm of religion and all seeing sky daddies and magical crackers and illiterate pedophiles who magically write books in caves.

But I would bring caution to assuming all such people are thick or stupid. Even the most intelligent examples our species has ever produced have come forward believing the most fantastical nonsense.

Thinking people are thick or stupid of believing unsubstantiated nonsense is, to me, similar to thinking someone must be weak or unhealthy if they catch the common cold. Sometimes the OPPOSITE is true and being strong and healthy leaves you MORE inclined to catch some infections.

Similarly I think being intelligent and sometimes even ABOVE average intelligence can leave one prone to infection by stupid ideas. Not always mind you, but often.

I would suspect the vast majority of the people who ran off to Knock on the behest of a single 14 year olds testimony are not going to rate high on many intelligence scales. But I would expect more of people who think they can communicate with dead loved ones or think that there is a god. And it is not solely stupidity (though it helps) that make people think things like Homeopathy work. Placebo and the "return to the mean" effect are very powerful.

Newton is one of, if not possibly THE, greatest mind our species has produced. Go read up on some of the stuff he believed sometime if you want a laugh. Then see what you think the relationship between intelligence and believing absolute nonsense is

NIMAN wrote: »

I do wonder how some people manage to look after themselves and get through life.

Two examples recently:

1) All those who thought it was a good idea to get into their cars and drive to Knock to see the Virgin Mary appear. And then actually believe that the sun was her.

2) Someone asking for recommendations for a good animal psychic, because I assume they want to communicate with their dead pet?

I do despair at times.

Any other examples?

People are generally stupid full stop dumbing down going on via this/media/facebook/internet/magazines/superficial culture etc etc doesnt help.

Homeopathy.

One of my favourites is Arnica. Apparently amazing for reducing inflammation and pain relief. Doctors advise not to use the oil when pregnant but are fine with the tablets because there isn't enough arnica in them to affect anything at all.

NIMAN wrote: »

I do despair at times.

Any other examples?

All that said however, I do personally love this one. I wish I had thought of it myself.

I did see a woman spend the bones of 20 seconds today trying to push open a pull door.

It had the word pull on it.

She even stopped for a second, cupped her hands and looked into a very well lit shop with people obviously milling about, and proceeded to try and push it open again.