We live in a media-saturated world where intelligence and ignorance are often indistinguishable, and the consequences are often disastrous.

Unfortunately, we seem to be encountering two types of people: those who believe they know everything and those who are too afraid to question them.

As strange as it may sound, both groups have a profound impact on the direction of our society—especially when it comes to culture, politics, and decision-making.

The Dunning-Kruger Effect: Overestimating Knowledge

The Dunning-Kruger effect is a well-known cognitive bias in which people with limited knowledge or experience in a given area tend to overestimate their own abilities, especially when they step outside their area and level of expertise.

Just because you have an advanced degree and are a celebrity, media host, YouTube influencer, or politician does not mean you understand human nature or have the intellectual and moral authority to determine how WE live OUR lives.

Essentially, the less someone knows about a subject, the more likely they will believe they understand it fully. This effect is particularly dangerous in politics and leadership because it creates an illusion of competence, often leading people to take positions of power or influence for which they are woefully unqualified.

It’s not hard to find examples of individuals—particularly politicians—who seem oblivious to their lack of expertise but confidently make decisions affecting millions of lives.

Whether driven by ego or ignorance, these leaders act as if their limited understanding is enough to navigate complex issues like climate change, healthcare, or the economy. Their conviction can be convincing to others, who may be too intimidated to question their authority.

How can Native Intelligence and Stupidity Coexist in the Same Space?

A fascinating paradox exists when considering the relationship between native intelligence and stupidity. People often associate intelligence with reasoning critically, understanding complex ideas, and making sound judgments. Yet, we are all familiar with highly intelligent individuals who still make downright foolish decisions.

What happens in these cases is that intelligence is often divorced from wisdom. Native intelligence may allow someone to grasp certain concepts quickly or excel in a specific field. Still, it doesn’t necessarily mean they possess the judgment to apply that knowledge effectively. Conversely, lacking formal education or intellect doesn’t preclude someone from being wise or insightful. Through experience and introspection, some individuals develop an understanding of the world that far surpasses their intellectual capabilities.

This coexistence of intelligence and stupidity can create a dangerous cocktail in politics. An individual may have all the credentials, all the degrees, and all the accolades but still make disastrous decisions because they are blinded by their own overconfidence or the narrow confines of their expertise. They may ignore input from others, dismiss differing viewpoints, or worse, take risks that have catastrophic consequences, all because they believe they are “smart enough” to figure it out on their own.

The Rise of Pseudo-Expertise: A Crisis of Credibility.

In the modern era, where Google and Wikipedia information is plentiful, and opinions are everywhere, we also face an explosion of pseudo-expertise. This phenomenon is particularly evident in politics, where individuals with little to no background in a given issue can suddenly become the “go-to experts” in the media for that issue simply by speaking loudly enough or garnering attention on social media. In the age of soundbites, the loudest voice often gets heard over the most qualified ones.

Pseudo-expertise thrives because it often caters to our confirmation biases and offers simple, easily digestible answers to complex problems. Politicians and media personalities, using their influence and media savvy, frequently present themselves as experts in fields they know little about. This leads to spreading misinformation, creating a toxic environment where the public is forced to sift through a maze of contradictory information, often unable to discern fact from fiction.

They say political campaigns are not about policies and position whitepapers but images and soundbites.

The Road to Hell.

Pseudo-experts have become the modern-day “Judas goats,” leading the herd down the road to communism and perdition. These figures capitalize on the public’s ignorance or apathy, guiding them into dangerous ideologies, policies, or choices that ultimately serve their own political agendas but have disastrous consequences for the people they are supposed to represent.

Whether pushing for policies that ignore the scientific method in favor of consensus or championing populist ideologies that favor short-term gains over long-term stability, these Judas goats often have a clear goal: their own power, profits, prestige, and influence.

The Disastrous Consequences of Stupid-Smart Leadership

When people with limited expertise, driven by their own overconfidence or pseudo-expertise, take positions of power, the consequences can be catastrophic. History is littered with leaders who led their countries into disaster due to poor judgment or a refusal to listen to the right experts. From economic crashes to military conflicts to environmental disasters, the results of “stupid-smart” leadership can be devastating.

But what makes the situation even worse is the blind following they often attract. The Dunning-Kruger effect doesn’t just apply to individuals; it can extend to entire populations. When a politician, with their charismatic delivery and confidence, convinces people that they have all the answers, many will follow blindly, even when the road ahead is clearly leading to disaster.

This is the danger of pseudo-expertise: it creates a false sense of security and control, even as it leads society further into uncertainty and chaos. In an age where anyone can claim to be an expert, the value of actual knowledge and the willingness to listen to those with actual experience is increasingly undervalued.

Bottom line…

It’s time to recognize that intelligence alone does not guarantee sound decision-making. The coexistence of stupidity and native intelligence is not just a quirk of human nature—it’s a dangerous flaw that, when left unchecked, can have severe consequences for everyone.

As citizens, we must learn to recognize the signs of pseudo-expertise and question those who, despite their loud voices or impressive titles, lead us down paths not grounded in actual knowledge or critical thinking.

We must demand leaders who are intellectually capable and wise enough to seek expertise, listen to those with experience, and make decisions that serve the common good, not their own ambitions.

The Judas goats are out there, leading us into the wilderness of misinformation and poor judgment. The real challenge is finding the courage to recognize them for what they are and break free from their influence before it’s too late.

When I think of stupid-smart people, I often cite Dr. Sheldon Cooper, the fictitious senior theoretical physicist at the California Institute of Technology from The Big Bang Theory. He is a brilliant physicist with an IQ of 187. Still, his lack of social skills, inability to grasp common social cues, and occasionally misguided decisions make him seem “stupid” in everyday life. In real life, I think of Dr. Anthony Fauci, the physician and immunologist who served as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases from 1984 to 2022 and the chief medical advisor to the president from 2021 to 2022.

Question the Judas Goats.

We are so screwed.

-- Steve