"Americans are stupid"

[quinnox]

Would you agree that when you see this on some message boards like Yahoo or on the internet, and its usually made by a foreign person who is criticizing Americans, that there is an element of truth in the stereotype? Do you find yourself silently nodding in agreement, or saying to yourself "Yup"? Does it cause you to think of some regions of the country, like the South for instance, and their kinds of politics, and right winger mentality, and some of the policies they seem to endorse?

[Aristus]

1. Obviously, we aren't all stupid.

But there's a subset of people in our society who enshrine stupidity and ignorance as something to be proud of, or which otherwise distinguishes undistinguished people.

It's a trope of personal identity that doesn't require any effort, drive, or determination. That's why so many people embrace it.

[Egalitarian Thug]

10. To "enshrine stupidity and ignorance as something to be proud of" is uniquely American. n/t

[Mike Nelson]

2. I can see their point...

...many are.

[seabeyond]

3. no more so than elsewhere, some are. some arent. and some are a little of both

[NRaleighLiberal]

4. it is a bell curve. Most people are in the middle. Average.

I think that in general Americans have the potential to be better informed, but for various reasons, it isn't happening.

[Waiting For Everyman]

5. There are stupid people and right wingers everywhere.

I think it's a stupid criticism, frankly, since you asked.

[sufrommich]

6. It's no different than stating "arabs are terrorists"

It's a simplistic comment from and for simplistic minds.

[JEFF9K]

7. Conservative Americans are quite stupid ...

... as a group. Almost all gains from Republican policies go to the richest 1%, yet millions of non-rich dummies support the GOP.

[Stryder]

8. Stupid? No.

Ignorant? Yes. And many, willfully so. I watched it happen. People used to be curious about the world. They entertained the possibility that some one might know something more than them on a particular subject. Now it's an insult to suggest they might not have all the facts. The mouth comes open, the mind goes shut. My opinions trump your facts. It seems, to accept a different point of view is now an admission of weakness. Not personal growth. I find myself at a disadvantage engaging in conversation these days. I actually think I might be able to (gasp) learn something. I'm obviously a person of weak character.
I can't recall where I heard it but it resonates with me, "People do not listen to understand, they listen to reply."

[truebluegreen]

9. Personally, I think the Artificial Persons* who have captured the reins of power in this country

are dumber than a box of rocks. Stupid, short-sighted, and self-absorbed.

*Corporations.

[Junkdrawer]

11. "Americans are stupefied"

In a BIG way

[quinnox]

12. I like that post headline

That I think is very true.

[IDemo]

13. It's regional bigotry writ large

and no more valid than "Southerners are ignorant" or Idahoans are all KKK'ers. It says more about the mental shortcomings of the speaker than of the region or country.

[pintobean]

14. No, I just think they're arrogant assholes.

I don't know what to think of an American who nods in agreement to such a broad-brush insult.

[WatermelonRat]

15. We're no stupider than other countries

We just have more stupid people with internet access than most other places.

[Skittles]

16. as someone who routinely works with offshore folk

they have no reason to be talking

[Burma Jones]

17. Well, just about half of everyone is of below average intelligence

And the USA has so so so many ways for anyone to spout off and a culture that encourages them to do so.

So, we're going to come off kinda stupid, particularly if the mudslinger is too lazy to do their own filtering.