So many stupid people

[Hugabear]

It always amazes me how many stupid people are out there. Just this weekend, I saw many people arguing that the moon landing was hoaxed. Prior to 2000, you would have been hard pressed to find many people who would make such an argument. But now, thanks to YouTube and various conspiracy theory websites, you can't hardly read an article about the moon landing without running into these idiots.

It's not just that. There are a sizable number of Americans who believe in ghosts, UFOs, Bigfoot, and various other woo-woo idiocy. There are plenty of "reality shows" willing to give these idiots airtime, which only fuels more idiocy.

There are anti-vaxxers, who continue to spread their propaganda accusing "Big Pharma" of using toxic materials in their vaccines and causing autism. Thanks idiots, I was really hoping that polio and TB would make a comeback.

Then there are the anti-science idiots, who think climate change is a myth, that evolution is a lie, and that the Earth is only 6000 years old. These idiots wouldn't be so damned annoying if they weren't getting themselves elected into office, pushing their anti-science viewpoints on others, and blocking legislation to deal with climate change.

I suppose much of this has to do with the internet, where anyone and everyone can have a platform to reach thousands. I've often said that you can come up with any bizarre "theory" you want, and no matter how far-fetched it is, if you put it on the internet, you'll find people who will believe you.

Idiocracy was not meant to be a "how-to" documentary.

[Turbineguy]

1. We have to face it.

Fox News has been a success.

[Hugabear]

2. Right-wing radio, InfoWars, Prison Planet, etc

The bigger the platform you give someone, the more followers they'll get.

And damned if Alex Jones doesn't have a lot of sycophants

[unblock]

3. it's not just the internet, where wacko theories could be spread but ignored.

it's the media, which once upon a time had the decency to ignore the wacko crap. that was back when there were 3 big tv stations and they all had to compete for respectability.

now there's hundreds of channels and they're competing for attention so they're all trying to out-crazy and out-outrage each other.

suddenly wacko theories have commercial value, and so they get air time....

[Mass]

4. They were there, but before 2000, we would not have considered them

worth having a podium to speak. Between cable TV and the internet, everybody think they are entitled to a bully pulpit (and the media are too happy to oblige, whether it is because they create an audience -- a la Palin --, or because they actually agree with them.

[awoke_in_2003]

9. +1000. nt

[NRaleighLiberal]

5. $$$. People watch, money is made. There is great profit in it, sadly.

[Wait Wut]

6. It's sad...

...FB has exposed so many people that I once called 'friends'. A few months back, someone I had been friends with for almost 13 years posted some wacky crap about chemtrails. I thought she was joking, so I made a snarky comment.

She wasn't joking.

She then started posting crap about 9/11 and the NWO. A few of our mutual friends starting commenting (in support of wacky crap).

I miss normal people.

[Fred Sanders]

7. Religion.....goggle The Sacred Texts of Manu, chapter IX, women and children...hundreds of

millions of people believe that stuff and live it daily.

[Skittles]

8. I knew there were a lot of stupid people in America when Reagan was elected twice

but it wasn't until the internet that I discovered exactly HOW stupid people can be

[awoke_in_2003]

10. I want you should...

kick all their dumb asses

[Skittles]

11. well I feel like I do that daily in Texas

yes indeed