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The Law of Human Stupidity

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Nov 30, 2025
Robert Greene, an author and historian known for his insights on strategy and human behavior, dives into the complexities of human stupidity. He discusses how ancient Greek wisdom highlights the dangers of incompetence, often more harmful than evil intent. Greene explores the catastrophic consequences of leaders' absolute certainty, showcasing historical examples like the Peloponnesian War. He also introduces concepts like 'negative capability' and 'cognitive superposition,' urging listeners to embrace complexity for better understanding and creativity.
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INSIGHT

Certainty Breeds Dangerous Stupidity

  • Robert Greene observes that more harm comes from incompetent, certain people than from evil people.
  • Certainty without thought narrows perception and causes large strategic failures like wars.
ANECDOTE

Peloponnesian War As A Cautionary Tale

  • Greene recounts the Peloponnesian War to illustrate leaders acting with dangerous certainty.
  • Athens entered campaigns without thinking through parameters and destroyed its golden era.
INSIGHT

Incompetence Can Outweigh Evil

  • Greene emphasizes that incompetent people in power are often more dangerous than clearly evil actors.
  • He also notes there are probably far more stupid people than evil ones, increasing systemic risk.
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