# Do you ever just go stupid? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 22, 2014, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-just-go-stupid/688998 "2014-05-22T10:56:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2014, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-just-go-stupid/688998/101 "2014-06-16T04:46:41Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > I work with and in charge of hundreds of people in my current job but I have context dependent face blindness. I have gotten really good at learning people’s names and what they do at work. I know their strengths and weaknesses and sometimes their life story because they told me in my office. Somehow that strategy works for the most part. > > However, I can get blindsided if I run into someone in a context that I don’t expect. It could be the grocery store or somewhere half-way across the world - it doesn’t matter. It takes me a while to figure out who I am talking to and I often do it more through verbal deduction rather than visual recognition. Those are stressful moments while the wheels spin trying not to offend somebody. I’ve known doctors and dentists who say the same. They know a person if they are in a chair but dont recognize them in real life. ---
**Author:** ![misling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3ab097/32.png) [@misling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/misling)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2014, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-just-go-stupid/688998/102 "2014-06-16T13:03:18Z")
It seems like there’re some common threads here: 1. Things you do automatically, or habitually, so when you don’t do them automatically, your conscious brain doesn’t remember how. It’s like once you’ve assigned them to the ‘automatic’ category, the ‘voluntary’ category deletes them from it’s storage. 2. Stressed out. 3. Sleep deprived. 4. General brain-farts like forgetting names & numbers. ---
**Author:** ![Lowdown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Lowdown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lowdown)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2014, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-just-go-stupid/688998/103 "2014-06-16T15:39:59Z")
My all time favorite is the day I tried to turn off the bathroom faucet with the light switch. I got so mad that it was broken! WHY WON’T YOU WORK!? ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2014, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-just-go-stupid/688998/104 "2014-06-19T14:05:48Z")
yesterday before I started a thread about pepper spray I had to look back at all the threads I’ve started to make sure I hadn’t already posted the exact same thing before. :rolleyes: and I needed help to find this thread again. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2014, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-just-go-stupid/688998/105 "2014-06-19T14:43:39Z")
> [@JackieLikesVariety](#): > > and I needed help to find this thread again. :smack: 😃 But it worked out! Where’s the pepper spray? ETA: NM, [found it!!](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=726292) ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2014, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-just-go-stupid/688998/106 "2014-06-19T14:58:37Z")
Filter first, then coffee. Filter first, then coffee… ---
**Author:** ![TheFaerie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c57346/32.png) [@TheFaerie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheFaerie)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2014, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-just-go-stupid/688998/107 "2014-06-19T15:58:12Z")
After a sleep-deprived 5 night camping trip I went into my closet to get ready for work and couldn’t remember how to put on my blouse. I stood there for a minute with it upsidedown in my hand wondering how I was supposed to put it on that way. People out of context is a major one for me, also. ---
**Author:** ![convextech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58f4c7/32.png) [@convextech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/convextech)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2014, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-just-go-stupid/688998/108 "2014-06-19T16:28:18Z")
How many of you have ever smoked pot? That’s what I blame my inconsistencies on 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2014, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-just-go-stupid/688998/109 "2014-06-19T18:58:18Z")
> [@convextech](#): > > How many of you have ever smoked pot? That’s what I blame my inconsistencies on 🙂 You blame _your_ inconsistencies on how many of _us_ have smoked pot? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2014, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-just-go-stupid/688998/110 "2014-06-19T20:37:31Z")
> [@Urbanredneck](#): > > Hmm… never thought of it that way. I guess I’ve always assumed the worse of the parent when it may in fact just be a moment of stupidity like forgetting ones keys. > > Actually kind of scary when you put it that way. One mistake I’m glad I never made. Obligatory [link](http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/fatal-distraction-forgetting-a-child-in-thebackseat-of-a-car-is-a-horrifying-mistake-is-it-a-crime/2014/06/16/8ae0fe3a-f580-11e3-a3a5-42be35962a52_story.html) to a Pulitzer prize winning essay on this. ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2014, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-just-go-stupid/688998/111 "2014-06-19T21:26:47Z")
Not a week goes by where my brain doesn’t offer up the suggestion: “Self, if you turned the lawnmower over while it was running, then Eyes could see where grass was clogging the blades and Hands could clean it right away.” “Gee, thanks Brain, Hands and Eyes have discussed the matter and we think you’re an idiot. Please submit an alternate plan.” ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2014, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-just-go-stupid/688998/112 "2014-06-19T22:42:04Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > You blame _your_ inconsistencies on how many of _us_ have smoked pot? :dubious: Works for me. “Inconsistencies? Moi? Your high!” ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2014, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-just-go-stupid/688998/113 "2014-06-19T22:45:39Z")
> [@Buck\_Godot](#): > > Obligatory [link](http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/fatal-distraction-forgetting-a-child-in-thebackseat-of-a-car-is-a-horrifying-mistake-is-it-a-crime/2014/06/16/8ae0fe3a-f580-11e3-a3a5-42be35962a52_story.html) to a Pulitzer prize winning essay on this. Jesus. That was amazing. ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-just-go-stupid/688998/114 "2014-06-20T03:28:35Z")
> [@Buck\_Godot](#): > > Obligatory [link](http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/fatal-distraction-forgetting-a-child-in-thebackseat-of-a-car-is-a-horrifying-mistake-is-it-a-crime/2014/06/16/8ae0fe3a-f580-11e3-a3a5-42be35962a52_story.html) to a Pulitzer prize winning essay on this. that was heartbreaking - but everyone should read it. I would have thought this was something rare but who knows? since nobody is keeping track of it. unforgettable story, thanks for posting the link. that women is about the most courageous person I have ever heard of, I can’t even imagine what she has been through. all of them, of course, but especially her. ---
**Author:** ![Sodalite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@Sodalite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sodalite)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-just-go-stupid/688998/115 "2014-06-20T03:39:32Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Let this thread be a reminder when we hear about those poor unfortunate parents who left a toddler in the car in the sweltering sun. And there will be cases this year, as there always are. > > People are fallible, and we all have moments of complete stupidity. [One case from three days after you made this post.](http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/georgia-man-charged-murder-after-leaving-baby-hot-car-n135696) [An article that mentions a case from the day after your post.](http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/cases-kids-who-die-hot-cars-show-inconsistency-charges-n135861?ocid=msnhp&pos=1) I have always been a forgetful person. All kinds of things just randomly disappear from my mind. Even extremely important things. No _human_ has died because of it yet but I’m not so arrogant as to say it could never happen. Knowing how often I get the stupids I try to take precautions. I wear an extra car key on a lanyard to keep me from locking myself out of the car. There’s a house key on it, too. That way, when I have to turn around and go back home to get something I forgot, I don’t have to go back to the car to get the keys when I get to the front door and remember that I left them on the seat. Yeah. ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-just-go-stupid/688998/116 "2014-06-20T04:46:10Z")
one of the things that’s excellent about that link, is the explanation of _why_ this happens and that _it could happen to anyone_. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-just-go-stupid/688998/117 "2014-06-20T15:00:06Z")
I sometimes forget how to spell “used”, since it can sound like “yoost” when I say it (as in, “I yoost to know how to spell”). I’ll write out yoost, and just stare at it, with no clue what word I am really thinking of. I’ve also been known to forget how to pronounce “photography”: My brain wants to say “photo-graphy”, and it refuses to budge from that pronunciation until I’ve taken a break. ---
**Author:** ![Snickers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Snickers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snickers)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-just-go-stupid/688998/118 "2014-06-20T16:59:38Z")
I sometimes get migraines. Infrequently, which is a blessing. But when I do, all language skills completely desert me. I literally cannot speak, because I can’t come up with even the simplest words. It’s no fun. And I write for a living! Words are my specialty! ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blue_blistering_barnacle/32/3386_2.png) [@Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blue_Blistering_Barnacle)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-just-go-stupid/688998/119 "2014-06-20T18:23:49Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > I just at a fortune cookie without removing the fortune. This is very dangerous! Suppose the fortune had said, “Do not eat this cookie.” or “Beware Japanese waitress bearing Chinese fortune cookie.” or some such. I hope everything worked out! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-just-go-stupid/688998.md?page=5)