Stupidity (2003)

Synopsis: In one of the most compelling and entertaining films of the year, documentarian Albert Nerenberg asks one simple question: What is stupidity? It's much harder to answer than you might think, for,... In one of the most compelling and entertaining films of the year, documentarian Albert Nerenberg asks one simple question: What is stupidity? It's much harder to answer than you might think, for, as Einstein theorized, the universe and stupidity are the only things that are infinite--and he had his doubts about the former. Amazingly, there has been no real academic study on stupidity, and there are only a handful of serious books on the topic, but that doesn't stop Nerenberg from blazing forward. The result is a sometimes funny, sometimes terrifying look at the human race and the stupid things it has done over the course of time. One of the theories Stupidity puts forth is that people prefer the act of "resisting intelligence," as it makes them feel more comfortable. In other words, ignorance is bliss. Which would explain why this country is in so much trouble. Thankfully, Nerenberg isn't content with simply pointing a finger and saying things like, "Bush is a moron." Instead, he offers some surprising theories, offering much intelligence behind the veneer of idiocy. Along with Super Size Me, Stupidity is one of the most important films to see this year. Stupidity is the first film to deal directly with massive topic of human stupidity. In fact, one of the film's most controversial assertions, is that the academic world has scandalously avoided stupidity as a topic of study. Stupidity has been a massive hit wherever it has gone. Selling out film festivals and igniting firestorms of controversy. Taking Best Documentary at the Atlantic City Film Festival, Stupidity is an urgent exploration of the issue of willful stupidity in the modern world. Stupidity sets out to determine whether our culture is hooked on deliberate ignorance as a strategy for success. From Adam Sandler to George W. Bush, from the IQ test to TV programming, to the origins of the word moron, Stupidity examines the "dumbing down" of contemporary culture. Stupidity embarks on an exhaustive search into its meaning, and the implications of a culture that is obsessed and saturated with stupefying culture. Stupidity careens at warp speed through sound bites on topics from television news and reality TV shows, to Internet sites and popular films. Featuring opinions and comments from some of todayís most recognizable figures, cultural critics, authors and academics, including John Cleese, Noam Chomsky, Selma Hayek and Bill Maher, Stupidity reveals that, despite our cultureís extensive access to knowledge and information, humans continue to choose stupidity. Commissioned by the Documentary Channel, and directed by Trailervision founder Albert Nerenberg, the feature length documentary suggests that unless stupidity is dealt with, we may all be doomed. [More]

Starring: Noam Chomsky, Steve-O, Bill Maher, John Cleese

Starring: Noam Chomsky, Steve-O, Bill Maher, John Cleese, Salma Hayek

Director: Albert Nerenberg

Director: Albert Nerenberg

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