The Internet and Stupidity: A Misconception Debunked

In a thought-provoking image circulating on Imgur, a simple yet powerful message challenges the common belief about the root cause of stupidity. The image features text on a dark brown background, written in a straightforward sans-serif font. The message reads:

"Do y'all remember, before the internet, that people thought the cause of stupidity was the lack of access to information? Yeah. It wasn't that."

This statement prompts a reflection on the evolution of information accessibility and its impact on human intelligence. The image has sparked a flurry of comments from users, each offering unique perspectives on the topic.

One user insightfully notes, "Yeah, stupidity and ignorance are two entirely different things... and people have been conflating them and other people pointing out that they're not the same for a veeeeeery long time." Another adds, "The problem isn't that information isn't possible to access. It is that it's drowned by so much noise/false information/outright lies/etc."

The conversation quickly expands to include opinions on misinformation and the internet's role in amplifying it. One user comments, "Now they've got access, but it's access to misinformation." This sentiment is echoed by another user who recalls, "No, before the internet we did not think the cause of stupidity was a lack of access to information."

The image and its accompanying comments highlight a significant point: access to information alone does not equate to increased intelligence. As one user aptly puts it, "Ignorance coupled with curiosity is self-correcting, coupled with empathy is correctable, coupled with introspection is painful. You don't need a strong memory or a large vocabulary or quick wit to avoid stupid, and you can have all three and be VERY stupid."

Another user remarks, "Humans, being analog machines, prefer to take the path of least resistance as an energy conservation method. So, they'd rather hear an easy lie than go learn a hard truth." This observation underscores the challenge of discerning truth in the digital age, where misinformation can be pervasive.

Interestingly, some users argue that the internet has, in fact, made people smarter. One user posits, "I'd argue that the opposite is true, that access to more information has in fact made people overall smarter, but we're hyperfocused on the stupid specifically because of its abnormality and, paradoxically, start to imagine that the loud voices of ignorance are more widespread than they are."

The dialogue also touches on the darker side of internet access, with one user sharing, "As a young girl 13 14ish didn't realize how many older dudes wanted to bang younger girls.... now I'm disgusted." This comment highlights the exposure to inappropriate content that can come with unrestricted access to information.

Ultimately, the image and its responses suggest that stupidity is a multifaceted issue, not solely attributable to a lack of information. As one user poetically cites Thomas Gray from 1742, "Thought would destroy their paradise. No more; where ignorance is bliss, 'Tis folly to be wise."

The internet has undeniably transformed the landscape of information access, but it has also brought to light the complexities of human intelligence and ignorance. This image serves as a reminder to critically evaluate the sources of information and to strive for a deeper understanding beyond the surface level.