Internet: Making the Dumb or Merely Displaying Them?

[CloakedOne]

It has become painfully clearly how many stupid people there are out there. The numbers seem to grow exponentially all the time. I ask you, Forum community:

Is the internet making people increasingly stupid or is it just a place where more stupid people are sharing their opinions?

I am aware it could be both, of course, but which one do you think is the more prominent explanation?

 

[Kollega]

It's coverage. There were always stupid people,but earlier,their stupidity was obvious only to those right next to them. The arrival of Internet lets us see their true numbers. But luckily,Internet can also be used by smart people to collaborate and solve problems.

 

[PixieFox]

I think it's just giving the stupid people a platform to be, well, stupid.
The internet is the biggest (and easiest-to-use, arguably) communications device we as humans have ever invented. Of course more and more people - including the dumb ones - are going to get in on it. EVERYONE gets their own soapbox now, and the idiots like to yell the loudest.

There aren't necessarily MORE idiots, but rather the non-idiots are a bit of a silent majority.

 

[CloakedOne]

So far, I'm appreciating the replies. These explanations make sense and I appreciate your taking the time to make them.

 

[FalloutJack]

Now, while I do ascribe to the notion that the answer is both of those things, I will say that I agree that the internet is fleshing out the morons. Here is the problem, though. Smart people exist, but the internet makes it so they can be exposed to rampant idiocy. Thus, the wise can become foolish by merely being around these people. It's a black hole of intellect. An over-exposure to dumb people is nerve-wracking to those who can't believe how blindingly stupid they actually are. It's akin to drowning, in fire.

So you see, more idiots can BE made, especially if those who are smart become lazy.

 

[Gigano]

While the internet may not create stupid people, the fact that they can so easily meet their mental peers and share their stupidity might prevent some from ever feeling a need to improve their intellectual abilities - if before one were the village idiot, who could see that everyone was way smarter, then now one is part of global legions of stupid people who can tell each other how great and right they are over the internet. So negative reinforcement may have increased, but people are not made stupid - just given a platform to show it to the world.

 

[Space Spoons]

I don't think the Internet's actively making people stupid. I do think, however, that it's making people lazy, and I guess that can lead to stupidity in some cases. It certainly seems to be responsible for the rampant spread of txt talk. Seriously, ask any half-literate forum bottomfeeder why he refuses to type out his words. The almost-universal answer?: "im to lazy lol"

 

[Johnn Johnston]

I think Penny Arcade [http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2004/03/19/] said it best.

Oh, there's some strong language in that there strip, FYI.

 

[MurderousToaster]

'Mah momma always said stupid is as stupid does'
-Forest Gump.

The stupid people were already out there, looking for something to be stupid on. Now they have the tools.

Enter 4chan.

 

[AkJay]

"The Internet: Where Everyone's Opinion Is Wrong- Except Yours!"

 

[Lord Mountbatten Reborn]

I don't think places like YouTube necessarily create an idiot, they just attract them. It might also perhaps be enough of a distraction to hinder the mental processes of such people.