# Dealing with Stupid By:: [[Brian Heath]] 2022-12-01 In [[An Understanding of Stupid]] I explored the definition of a stupid person as someone whose actions constantly hurt themselves and others. Underestimating and associating with stupid people is a costly mistake by definition. Furthermore, one may conjecture that even attempting to reason with a stupid person is a mistake. Can you reason with a stupid person without both parties getting hurt? Not according to this definition. Yet, should we stand by and let stupid people continue hurting themselves and others? If you care about a stupid person and want things to be better, there seems to be no choice but to get involved. Removing stupid people from your life does not remove the role you are playing in the ongoing suffering. No amount of hand waving can remove you from the universe. If you get involved or don't get involved, there will be [[Consequences]] - people and yourself will get hurt. The life of the analyst is information, choices, [[Consequences]], solidarity, suffering, and striving for better. We are all stupid, but some are more overtly stupid than others and cause significantly more harm. We are stupid to think otherwise. The core question is how do you deal with your stupidity and the resulting consequences? The answer resides within the paradoxes of life. Find them, analyze them, embrace them, and try to do better. #### Related Items [[Stupid]] [[Paradox]] [[Solidarity]] [[Choice]] [[Analytics]]