Stupidity, this immense territory and to say the least terra incognita. In his latest book, Olivier Postel-Vinay tackles this scourge of humanity, whatever the field in which it expresses itself.
A decline in IQ since the turn of the century?
But why write on such a subject? “I asked myself the question, and I still don’t have the answer.” explains on Sud Radio Olivier Postel-Vinay, about his latest book, Homo Cretinus. The triumph of stupidity, published by Presses de la cite. “In my career as a journalist, I have often observed phenomena of patent stupidity around me, and at home” he adds.
For him, stupidity is “when one’s own brain falls prey to a system of perverse thoughts which cause it to deviate from the normal exercise of intelligence“. “I noticed in my readings that a certain number of researchers had carried out studies which demonstrated a decline in IQ since the beginning of this century, in Western countries.” he also says.
“Stupidity does not spare intelligent people”
“I imagine stupidity as a kind of polyp. We can talk about viruses, but I prefer the expression polyp. It is a kind of living being, which is omnipresent. Everywhere. Throughout society. Stupidity freezes a core of beliefs, limits it” also specifies the journalist at André Bercoff’s microphone. Hence this expression, “to be narrow-minded”.
Faced with this, there is what Olivier Postel-Vinay calls, “intelligent stupidity“. “Stupidity does not spare the most intelligent people. Those who have reached the top of society. And it’s particularly dangerous. Because high-level people who allow themselves to be captured by the polyp of stupidity represent a risk, they have power. They have power. This question is definitely worth looking into.” he concludes.
Click here to listen to André Bercoff’s guest podcast in its entirety.
Find “Le face à face” by André Bercoff from Monday to Thursday at 1 p.m. in Bercoff in all its forms Sud Radio.
All frequencies of South Radio are here!
