Against stupidity we are defenseless.

Neither protests nor the use of force accomplish anything here; reasons fall on deaf ears; facts that contradict one’s prejudgment simply need not be believed — in such moments the stupid person even becomes critical — and when facts are irrefutable, they are just pushed aside as inconsequential, as incidental. In all this the stupid person, in contrast to the malicious one, is utterly self-satisfied and, being easily irritated, becomes dangerous by going on the attack.

Reply to this note

Please Login to reply.

Discussion

This was shared by the Crypto Critics Corner folks in the context of Elon Musk, but I think it applies to narcissists more generally once they let fame get to their head.

Or to say it in nicer words: a person lacking epistemic-humility.

Then I found myself wondering if there is such a thing as an epistemically modest narcissist. The answer is yes: Gaius Baltar.

Thank you