𝐿𝒢𝓃𝒢  

It takes an idiot to be cruel.

The best leading indicator of intelligence is kindness. Back in caveman days, if you saw something new, and you weren't scared of it, you got eaten. Or worse. That's evolution. Our base instinct is to react first out of fear. It takes intelligence to overcome that first base programming and seek a second, more understanding, more tolerant reaction to new things. In evolutionary terms, it was our intelligence allowed humankind to develop empathy for one another. It is the foundation upon which all civilizations are built.

You want to know who the smartest people in the room are? Look for the kind folks. Look for those who help others. Look for those who give selflessly, thoughtfully, of their time and skills and talents.

Conversely, you want to know who the dumbest dumbasses who ever dumbed are? Look for the people whose entire lives are marked by acts of cruelty.

Jul 1, 2023 at 3:41amWeb
Show threadHat. AuDHD cat πŸ˜·πŸŒΊπŸ‰πŸŒ»πŸ”»Jul 1, 2023

@LadyDragonfly it takes a bigot to think intelligence prevents cruelty OR bigotry.
It is IGNORANCE and ARROGANCE that create cruelty.
Hate DOES cloud thinking but SO DOES PRIDEFULNESS

"Idiot" is an ableist slur.
So is "dumb"
The kindest person in the room is one who doesn't brag about being kind and is deeply aware of their own flaws.

True humility is a virtue. So is empathy and the ability to hold yourself accountable.

The more privilege you have the more IGNORANCE you have

Show threadHat. AuDHD cat πŸ˜·πŸŒΊπŸ‰πŸŒ»πŸ”»Jul 1, 2023

@LadyDragonfly what i hear from you is the belief that intelligence is a sign of moral superiority AND that bigotry is equivalent to a disability.

Both are categorically false statements.
Your post is ableist, ignorant arrogant and deeply offensive to me.
The leading indicator of kindness is kind action.
Ableism is not kind and INTELLIGENCE is a complex and very loaded concept.

Bragging and prejudice are definitely NOT kind.

Show thread𝐿𝒢𝓃𝒢  Jul 1, 2023
@CatHat That's a strange little strawman you just knocked down there. Too bad it's nothing at all like what I actually said. You okay? Do you need help with something?
Show threadHat. AuDHD cat πŸ˜·πŸŒΊπŸ‰πŸŒ»πŸ”»Jul 1, 2023
@LadyDragonfly go back to Twitter if you want to be ableist please.
Idiot is a word based on debunked and racist ideas used to justify things like forced sterilization of people with disabilities.
Your first post is extremely lacking in self awareness of your own sanism.
Cruelty is not linked to intelligence nor are classically "intelligent" people more likely to be kind.
The leading indicator of kindness is being kind.
Intelligence comes in a spectacular variety of forms.
Show threadHat. AuDHD cat πŸ˜·πŸŒΊπŸ‰πŸŒ»πŸ”»Jul 1, 2023
@LadyDragonfly. Fear of new things isnt overcome by intelligence.
Its overcome by confidence and curiousity. (IQ is also racist btw)
Overconfidence is a common flaw in MANY intelligent people. Intelligence doesn't mean you have self control. Or empathy. Or the moral strength to be held accountable for your mistakes
Especially by minorities who call you in.
Basic instinct is shaped in infancy and includes a number of factors.
Curiosity and fear aren't the only ones.
Show threadHat. AuDHD cat πŸ˜·πŸŒΊπŸ‰πŸŒ»πŸ”»Jul 1, 2023
@LadyDragonfly
If you want to talk evolution, humans are an apex predator. We need to fear some animals the way a wolf fears a moose.
Opportunity vs threat. The most dangerous animal on the planet is us. We are not a prey species like mice or even deer. As hunter gatherers few animals seriously preyed on us or do so now.
Empathy is common in social animals especially ones where babies are helpless for a long time and require parents.
Show threadHat. AuDHD cat πŸ˜·πŸŒΊπŸ‰πŸŒ»πŸ”»Jul 1, 2023
@LadyDragonfly on Twitter i would have simply said your post was laughably ignorant and a perfect example of telling on yourself.
I know a lot of kind people and a lot of bright ones. Theres an overlap but those are not independent variables. "Kind" is a very subjective term.
Show threadHat. AuDHD cat πŸ˜·πŸŒΊπŸ‰πŸŒ»πŸ”»Jul 1, 2023

@LadyDragonfly. Sort of like "polite" and "nice"

Its NOT intelligent to be kind to obviously dangerous bigots just for example. Its intelligent to drive them away.
Its not kind to "help" someone who doesn't need, want or consent to that "help"
But disabled people are frequently subjected to just that by people who are positive they are being kind.

Show threadHat. AuDHD cat πŸ˜·πŸŒΊπŸ‰πŸŒ»πŸ”»Jul 1, 2023

@LadyDragonfly tl:dr
Ableism is the keystone of bigotry.

Referring to "cavemen" as animalistic
(less evoloved, more fearful and less intelligent and empathic)
Aka less civilized
Is a trope i would have expected someone here to recognize as racist.

Show threadtoxtethogradyJul 1, 2023
@LadyDragonfly The last I heard, the only animal capable of being cruel besides the human is the chimpanzee. So don't ever think of having one as a pet. They're basically little furry MAGAs...
Show threadCharming MalcontentJul 1, 2023

@LadyDragonfly

Bloody hell that is good - the best Dharma I have read this year!

Thank YOU for posting

Show threadCarl AnthonyJul 2, 2023

@LadyDragonfly what you said reminds me of a quote - and I forget who said it originally, but it goes something to the effect of "the tragic thing about the world is that truly intelligent people are full of doubt while ignorant people are full of confidence."

Or perhaps said another way, the loud and ignorant ones usually have the lowest emotional intelligence.