When did stupid become cool?
I am sure that somebody, somewhere else has discussed this - make that many people, in many places - but, when did it become cool to appear to have left your brain behind?
I'm not perfect nor am I a genius, but I do believe I have a reasonable working brain. I can read and write, I can carry on a conversation. Yes I have the benefit of a pretty decent education, but the kind of thing I'm talking about has little to do with academic achievement. It has become more and more apparent that there is a whole group of people out there who believe that pretty and dumb is not just acceptable, but is a valid goal.
I'm talking about the people who communicate solely by "text speak". (Now I am something of a purist when it comes to language but I do accept that language is fluid; it grows, changes and evolves over time.) My issue is where it is used when it is entirely inappropriate - I swear sometimes I can almost see the hair twirling and giggles IN a post on a board, a comment on a website, a line of a blog.
I'm talking about the person who, when a serious topic of conversation arises, giggles and declares that they know nothing about that. Do I know everything about everything then? Of course not, but it is the manner of the declaration - they are downright PROUD not to have any awareness of anything it seems.
When this happens and it's a teenager, it is sad. It's also hopefully just a phase, although I fear for them somewhat. What is far worse is when it is one of my peers. Most of my friends are late 20s/early 30s. When it happens then, I find it really appalling - particularly as some of these people are well educated professionals who, by their achievements to date, have a demonstrably working brain.
Why? When did this happen? Yes you can point to celebrities who have made careers out of appearing to be idiots, but really, shouldn't you be past relying on celebrities as role models at that age?
There are a few things about this that I've noticed. The first is that this phenomenon seems to mostly manifest in the women I know (or girls as they prefer to be known) and mostly in mixed company.
The second is that some of the guys that I know seem to buy into it. So clearly, these 'girls' are getting positive feedback when they act this way.
The third, is that although it is mostly the women, the men are getting in on the act too, which while occasionally entertaining - 'No, no, I'm more stupid than you are!' - is equally depressing.
Personally the notion of 'dumbing myself down' to appear more attractive to a man a) is ridiculous to me and b) makes the man for whom I'd need to do it unappealing to me - I appreciate a guy who can have a conversation. Furthermore, it's deceitful, which is always a bad thing in my book - what happens when the other person figures out you are not the airhead you've presented yourself as?
I'm curious about how others feel about this, so any and all comments would be appreciated. Yep, rant over :)
4 Comments:
Bottom line..if being "stupid" gets them attention, they are all for it.
However, it does come at a cost. Later in life when they wish to be taken seriously, it is too late. Once you encourage the label of "stupid" to be placed (by promoting it as well), it is almost impossible to have the label changed or removed.
I would rather be considered smart and be ignored than encourage myself to be stupid and, thus, receive attention. That, to me, is just the wrong kind of attention.
You are a wise person, EmmaF2008, to understand acting stupid is not smart.
By Deunan, Aug 11 09 2:07 PM
It sounds like some horrible nightmare backlash against the women who stuck their necks out in the fight for us to be respected as full human beings, not just pretty little things who did what the men told us to do. Grown women are called girls by people who want to remind them of their place. Why any woman would *want* to be called a girl is beyond me.
The last man who called me a "bright girl" (when I was 38!) had to run after his head and get it sewn back on again.
"I am *not* a bright girl. I am an exceptionally intelligent woman."
Let's hope that it really is only a behaviour cycle, for people with short memories. And I shall finish my rant there, because I agree with every word you've written.
By lesley153, Aug 11 09 5:31 PM
I think that may be the first time wise has been applied to me Deunan! I shall take the compliment though. :)
Lesley, I have this hilarious vision of headless man legging it down the road after his head which you've just used as a football.
Good to know it is not just me though!
By EmmaF2008, Aug 11 09 6:11 PM
Any man that is attracted to a dumbed down woman is not worth having.
By garrysouders, Aug 12 09 5:35 AM