Analyzing Human Stupidity with Gabriel Kennedy

Jul 29, 2025

Gabriel Kennedy, author and visual artist, dives into the perplexing nature of human stupidity, drawing heavily on the thoughts of Robert Anton Wilson. He reveals that intelligence doesn't shield individuals from foolish choices, spotlighting historical blunders like the Vietnam War. Kennedy discusses the risks of stupid actions from those in power and the detrimental effects of authoritarianism. He emphasizes the importance of clear communication and critical thinking, urging listeners to reflect on their own vulnerabilities and the broader societal impacts of stupidity.

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INSIGHT

Intelligence Doesn't Prevent Stupidity

Intelligence does not protect us from stupidity; anyone can act foolishly at times.
Stupidity is an "equal opportunity employer" affecting all classes and intelligence levels.

INSIGHT

Language Shapes Stupid Thinking

Our language and education systems reinforce stupid thinking by imposing rigid categories.
We wrongly assume our mental maps perfectly match reality, causing maladaptive interpretations.

INSIGHT

Stupidity Spreads Like A Virus

Stupidity is contagious and causes more violence and death than often acknowledged.
Many historical crises stem more from stupidity than ignorance or evil intent.

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Gabriel Kennedy (aka Prop Anon) is the author of Chapel Perilous: The Life & Thought Crimes of Robert Anton Wilson. He is also a visual artist and musician.

Here he relies largely on the thinking of Robert Anton Wilson concerning the damage inflicted over history by stupid actions. He points out that we are all vulnerable to acting stupidly from time to time. A great risk occurs however when stupid actions are undertaken by individuals with political or financial authority. Authoritarian organizations, in particular, are prone to foster stupidity – by punishing those with the temerity to contradict the “top dog.”

00:00 Introduction
03:11 Stupidity cuts across all class lines
09:01 Hard to see stupidity in oneself
14:15 Wilson and Leary’s analysis
23:53 Stupidity, authoritarianism, and war
39:21 The double-bind
43:18 General Semantics
48:29 Game theory
55:10 Conclusion

New Thinking Allowed host, Jeffrey Mishlove, PhD, is author of The Roots of Consciousness, Psi Development Systems, and The PK Man. Between 1986 and 2002 he hosted and co-produced the original Thinking Allowed public television series. He is the recipient of the only doctoral diploma in “parapsychology” ever awarded by an accredited university (University of California, Berkeley, 1980). He is also the Grand Prize winner of the 2021 Bigelow Institute essay competition regarding the best evidence for survival of human consciousness after permanent bodily death. He is Co-Director of Parapsychology Education at the California Institute for Human Science.

(Recorded on June 25, 2025)

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