Why so many stupid people?
Do you have a feeling that you are experiencing more stupid people on social media, particularly in tough times like today?
Congrats! You and I share something in common.
Many people have complained about the negative sides of social media, but few can reject it, why? Here is my interpretation.
First, you admit or not, we all are blind to some degree. The real world we see is the world we perceive from the framework built up from our past beliefs, education, and experience — for example, the view of democrats and the view of republicans. Even we feel the other side is “stupid,” but they will never disappear unless we close our own eyes.
Second, to prove we are correct is human nature. Otherwise, why so many people want to be influencers and even gurus so others will follow us. If you are guru already, congrats, however, if you are not a guru, like me, it does not mean that we don’t have such a desire. Why do I want to spend my rare time to write this stupid stuff? I want to prove that I am right (even though I don’t have an interest in showing you are wrong).
The last fight is also human nature. If there is something we dislike, and we are unable to convince others, the basic instinct tells us: fight. Previously, without the Internet, we got to have an appointment to make it happen in a field. Now, we can find an arena for battle anytime, anywhere.
There is a lot of research on the “social media creating depression,” and many celebrities have expressed similar experiences. One of the biggest reasons that pushed me to get into the psychology field was the personal experience of “expose the blindness of stupid people.”
However, like Mark Twain said many years ago, I failed. Worse, more and more friends believe I am the stupid guy.
How to solve that?
Sorry, it is an impossible mission. With our limited human intelligence, I don’t believe we can solve the puzzle — convince stupid people are stupid.
However, it is possible that we, stupid humans, live as friends and even reduce our own stupidity. That is HOOP, a “supportive social media,” where you can:
- Identify your blind spots without being judged. The more blind spots you identify with, a better job or relationship may be awaiting for you.
- Acquire more empathy, which is crucial for a good leader for higher success in career or business.
- You may have a chance to change your enemies into friends with a supportive interaction, rather than an emotional fight interaction.
I succeed in my past life, changing many western people who disliked Chinese into my friends, as well as changing many Chinese people who hold opposite political/religious views than mine into my friends. Based on that personal experience and my psychological research, I designed HOOP.
If you want to have more supportive friends and a happier virtual life, please join the HOOP FB Group.
