What if stupidity isn’t about intelligence at all, but about surrendering the will to think?
In this powerful and thought-provoking educational video essay, we explore Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s timeless insights into human behavior — revealing how smart, well-meaning people can fall into dangerous patterns of unthinking conformity.
We blend philosophy, psychology, neuroscience, and media analysis to uncover: ✅ Why intelligent people sometimes support harmful ideas ✅ How groupthink and social pressure can override individual judgment ✅ What practical steps you can take to stay intellectually independent in today’s information-saturated world
This is an educational and analytical video designed to promote critical thinking, self-awareness, and responsible decision-making.
We cover historical examples and modern challenges, from social media echo chambers to the rise of AI-driven misinformation, offering practical insights and constructive methods for personal growth.
They called their own video essay “powerful and thought-provoking”? Pass.
TBF, it presents a very important lesson in a way that might even be digestible for christofascist MAGA voters. Since Bonhoeffer was a pastor and his words have that particular, churchy aroma. [Still enough truth for atheists in it though]
The Fediverse just doesn’t seem to be the target group here.
But yeah, way too many superlatives and wowing.
Judging from the YouTube comments they are hitting their mark. Lots of people mistaking being contrarian for being independent though, like in the case of COVID vaccines and makes wearing.
I like to differentiate between ignorance and stupidity.
Ultimately it’s semantics because neither word is so precisely defined but this is what I mean:
Ignorance - a state of not knowing - can be fixed. The only thing you really need is an acknowledgement that you are ignorant on some matter, which should automatically lead to learning, because I believe it’s inherent in our nature.
Stupidity - a state of refusing knowledge, incl. the knowledge of your ignorance, and resisting learning opportunities.
According to that definition an alarmingly large number of people seem to be stupid these days. They even win elections.
PS: I know that this pretty much aligns with Bonhoeffer’s totally-not-forgotten quote.
What practical steps you can take to stay intellectually independent in today’s information-saturated world
“Listening to our YouTube channel and what we have to say is the first step to intellectual independence because we’re obviously correct, you know?”
Not knocking the video, just it’s always so strange to me that it’s presented this way.
“In this video we will tell you how to think for yourself, as long as you follow our guidance you will be making your own decisions!”
Sure, Jan.
Reminds me of the adage:
No one chooses to be stupid
This video refines the idea to say stupidity isn’t a psychological phenomenon but a problem that is constructed by society.
