# Society for stupid people. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 4, 2004, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/society-for-stupid-people/238212 "2004-04-04T18:47:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![GawnFishin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e9bcb4/32.png) [@GawnFishin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GawnFishin)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2004, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/society-for-stupid-people/238212/81 "2004-04-07T15:21:27Z")
> [@TaxGuy](#): > > Jesus, life must be really hard for you people. Chill the fuck out already. Sheesh. > > OK, here’s my contribution to the actual topic of the thread: I hate stupid people who think just cuz they don’t like something or have no use for something that (1) it’s a dumb thing that shouldn’t exist or (2) those who do like it or have a use for it are inferior. Isn’t paying for something that I can legally get for free pretty stupid? Then why is it not ok for me to have a problem with this practise of selling people things that they obviously don’t need? Admittedly I wouldn’t buy something if I could get it for free, but we continue to allow the practise of taking money from poor unsuspecting dopes who are not necessarily stupid but are susceptible enough to fall for the shit some sophsticated bullshit artists spins. This society for the fleecing of the unsuspecting really pisses me off. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2004, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/society-for-stupid-people/238212/82 "2004-04-07T15:35:04Z")
Howzabout the [International Star Registry](http://www.starregistry.com/')? They charge $54 bucks to name a star after a loved one, so you can point a t a distant glimmer of light and say, “That star is officially named 'Mabel” after my dear, departed grandmother." Except that the ISR cannot name any stars because that right belongs exclusively to the International Astronomical Union, so that all people are paying for is a cheesy certificate that has no real significance. Even **TaxGuy** has to think that’s freakin’ stupid. ---
**Author:** ![TaxGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b19c9b/32.png) [@TaxGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TaxGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2004, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/society-for-stupid-people/238212/83 "2004-04-07T16:52:46Z")
> [@GawnFishin'](#): > > Isn’t paying for something that I can legally get for free pretty stupid? Nope, because your premise is false. There are many differences between a bottle of tapwater one can buy at a store and tapwater that comes out of the tap at your home or place of business, and if someone is willing to pay for a bottle of water, then that person obviously sees value in one of those differences. Just because you don’t see the value doesn’t make that person stupid, it makes you stupid for not recognizing that that person obviously does see some value or they wouldn’t exchange money for it. Here’s a very partial list of differences between purchasing bottled water at a store and purchasing tapwater at one’s home: First, bottled tapwater at a store is in the store ready for the purchaser’s immediate consumption, so a thirsty shopper may buy it. Second, tapwater doesn’t come in a neat plastic bottle that can be re-sealed and carried anywhere without being spilled as does bottled water. Third, maybe some people like supporting the local water bottling plant by buying bottled water. Fourth, maybe someone likes to do curls with a liter of bottled water because it’s exactly the right weight for their current muscle condition. Fifth, maybe someone’s car is overheating in the parking lot and there’s not a hose nearby. Sixth, maybe someone has a child with severe allergies to shit that grows inside the pipes in their house. Seventh, maybe the bottling and sitting around in a store for a while factor makes bottled water taste differently than tap water to some people with extremely discriminating tastes. > [@](#): > > Then why is it not ok for me to have a problem with this practise of selling people things that they obviously don’t need? First, I just showed above that there are many reasons why someone could need bottled water for a purpose that tapwater won’t serve. Second, each individual person is the best judge of exactly what such person’s needs are. If a person buys something, then they obviously would rather have the something than the money, so who are you to say they’re being stupid for exchanging their money for the something? Third, the entire economy is built on selling things people want and not selling things people need. If people only sold things people needed, McDonald’s would be replaced by McNutritiousGruel’s, The Gap would be replaced by The Burlap Sack, and home builders would make only really big cinder block apartment complexes. > [@](#): > > Admittedly I wouldn’t buy something if I could get it for free, but we continue to allow the practise of taking money from poor unsuspecting dopes who are not necessarily stupid but are susceptible enough to fall for the shit some sophsticated bullshit artists spins. This society for the fleecing of the unsuspecting really pisses me off. You, sir, are a dangerous idiot. Please let me know if you ever run for office so I may do all within my power to prevent you from being elected. It is so sad that when you walk down the street you look around and see a world full of “unsuspecting dopes.” I see other human beings like myself who are just trying to do what they think is best, who buy products they like to buy (for whatever reason they like to buy them, even if I don’t understand it), and who engage in activities they like to engage in (as long as they don’t hurt anyeone else, it’s fine by me). They all have brains in their heads just like I have one in mine. So if someone wakes up in the morning, makes some pancakes with their Perfect Pancake maker, unshells some hardboiled eggs with an automatic unsheller, eats it and washes it all down with some bottled tapwater they paid $100 for when they could have just opened their tap, listens to Al Franken on the radio and agrees with every word, reads the National Enquirer and agrees with every word, then goes back to their same sex partner in bed and has some good ol’ same sex sex, then I say: You Go Boy/Girl! I never have and probably never will do any of the above, but if you wanna do it, then obviously you think it’s a good thing for you to do, and I’m not gonna think you’re stupid. This same person may think some of the stuff I do is stupid. ---
**Author:** ![TaxGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b19c9b/32.png) [@TaxGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TaxGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2004, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/society-for-stupid-people/238212/84 "2004-04-07T16:55:41Z")
> [@gobear](#): > > Howzabout the [International Star Registry](http://www.starregistry.com/')? They charge $54 bucks to name a star after a loved one, so you can point a t a distant glimmer of light and say, “That star is officially named 'Mabel” after my dear, departed grandmother." > Except that the ISR cannot name any stars because that right belongs exclusively to the International Astronomical Union, so that all people are paying for is a cheesy certificate that has no real significance. > > Even **TaxGuy** has to think that’s freakin’ stupid. Nope, I don’t. If someone sees 54 bucks worth of value in a certificate that says that according to the author of the certificate a particular star is named after someone, then good for them. I personally don’t see the value in it and would not purchase such a certificate myself, but some of my fellow human beings do see the value, and I’m not going to think those wonderful people are stupid for doing so. ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2004, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/society-for-stupid-people/238212/85 "2004-04-07T17:52:56Z")
> [@gobear](#): > > Cell: Ring! > Me: Hello? > Cell: Hey sweetie, it’s me. I’m jonesing for Chinese. Why don’t you get off at Ballston and we’ll go to that Hunan place. > Me: OK, see you there. Hunan Palace, right on the corner across from the Metro exit? I love that place. One of my favorite times was when my Peruvian friend was ordering in Spanish to the Latina waitress in the Chinese restaurant. Very entertaining. ---
**Author:** ![GawnFishin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e9bcb4/32.png) [@GawnFishin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GawnFishin)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2004, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/society-for-stupid-people/238212/86 "2004-04-07T18:12:35Z")
> [@TaxGuy](#): > > Nope, because your premise is false. There are many differences between a bottle of tapwater one can buy at a store and tapwater that comes out of the tap at your home or place of business, and if someone is willing to pay for a bottle of water, then that person obviously sees value in one of those differences. Reread my original post. Our town won the gold medal for “Best Municipal Water” which translates to “tap water”. With me so far? The premise for the bottled water plant is we won the gold medal, sure no problem. What did we win for? Tap water! Then we open a bottling plant to export said water. Good idea I know of instances where people do need clean water. Water is then marketed directly at the local consumer who can get the _exact_ same water out of their tap at home. For fucks sake I’ll buy the empty bottle, just don’t try selling me the water I can get out of my tap at home. Because in this situation it is the same. It comes from the same source and sold as filtered by nature, same as I have at home so I’m not getting anything I ca’t get at home just by turning on the tap. Yes I do see the need for some peope to have access to a good clean supply of bottled water, however the idea of having the company now tell me I should buy this because it’s better, better than what? Who is it better for? I am not an idiot don’t treat me as such and stop trying to sell me things which I already have or do not need. And to address you directly sir, if you understand the water situation in the town in which I do live and you I will assume do not, better than I do. Then please explain to me why you never called me an idiot when these matters were raised at the recent town meeting, or weren’t you there? I raised these issues because the water that we are being sold **IS** the same. If our tap water had not have won we wouldn’t have a water bottling facility in our town. And as the product promotes the fact that it is our local gold medal winning water then please explain to me which part I am not understanding. How it is different to the water that comes from the taps in my kitchen? Idiot. ---
**Author:** ![TaxGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b19c9b/32.png) [@TaxGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TaxGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2004, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/society-for-stupid-people/238212/87 "2004-04-07T18:19:09Z")
Well, either you didn’t read my post or you didn’t bother to take the time to understand it. I do understand that the water in the bottle is the exact same as tapwater, and I still think that it doesn’t mean someone is stupid just because they buy the bottled tap water instead of getting the same water directly out of the tap. The whole point is that when someone buys something, they do so because they see an element of value in the exchange. You shouldn’t think they are stupid for making the exchange just because you do not see the same element of value they do. Now, would you like to respond to my actual point instead of insisting that I don’t understand it? ---
**Author:** ![Rayne\_Man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/df705f/32.png) [@Rayne\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rayne_Man)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2004, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/society-for-stupid-people/238212/88 "2004-04-07T18:45:05Z")
An act of supidity I see every time I am at the Post Ofiice is people buying saving “stamps” to pay their electricity , gas and phone bills. The idea of these stamps is that you buy them weekly and stick them on a card. When the quarterly bill is due you use the stamps as part or full payment of the account. What these people do not realise is that they could open a savings account , pay the same amount in every week and earn some interest in the weeks before the bill is paid. By buying these stamps they are in fact lending the money to the Post Office who will earn interest on this cash instead of the buyer of the stamps. ---
**Author:** ![MelCthefirst](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eada6e/32.png) [@MelCthefirst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MelCthefirst)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2004, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/society-for-stupid-people/238212/89 "2004-04-07T20:42:23Z")
Way to go Taxguy - turn a fun thread into a downer. What is wrong with poking fun at people who fall for marketing campaigns or clever advertising - we all do at some stage. So you reckon there are no times when people can be described as idiots? ---
**Author:** ![GawnFishin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e9bcb4/32.png) [@GawnFishin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GawnFishin)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2004, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/society-for-stupid-people/238212/90 "2004-04-07T20:58:33Z")
> [@MelCthefirst](#): > > Way to go Taxguy - turn a fun thread into a downer. > What is wrong with poking fun at people who fall for marketing campaigns or clever advertising - we all do at some stage. So you reckon there are no times when people can be described as idiots? Actually there is humor in what **TaxGuy** posts. Follow along for a second. Taxpayer asks question: My taxes are funding a Municipal water supply which is now recognised as the best in the world. Now, Company A want to use this water to bottle and sell because it is the best in the world. Ok, but you obviously will not be trying to sell it to me as I am the tax payer who paid for it in the first place and I can get the same thing at home for free. Sell me an empty bottle no problem but don’t try to sell me the water. I ask, why do I have to pay for water which my Taxes have already pay for? > [@TaxGuy](#): > > You, sir, are a dangerous idiot. I can see the funny side, **TaxGuy** is one hillarious comedian. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![TaxGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b19c9b/32.png) [@TaxGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TaxGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2004, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/society-for-stupid-people/238212/91 "2004-04-07T21:12:27Z")
> [@MelCthefirst](#): > > Way to go Taxguy - turn a fun thread into a downer. > What is wrong with poking fun at people who fall for marketing campaigns or clever advertising - we all do at some stage. So you reckon there are no times when people can be described as idiots? Sorry, just trying to do my part in the fight against ignorance. I’ve participated in other threads that were in the spirit of “isn’t this a crazy product” or something like that. What turned me off about this thread in particular is the notion that just because someone buys something that you don’t see the value in then that person must be stupid. And then our fishing buddy just took that attitude to the next level. I bet he was a hoot at the town meeting he keeps crowing about. ---
**Author:** ![GawnFishin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e9bcb4/32.png) [@GawnFishin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GawnFishin)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2004, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/society-for-stupid-people/238212/92 "2004-04-07T21:20:55Z")
> [@TaxGuy](#): > > Sorry, just trying to do my part in the fight against ignorance. > > I’ve participated in other threads that were in the spirit of “isn’t this a crazy product” or something like that. What turned me off about this thread in particular is the notion that just because someone buys something that you don’t see the value in then that person must be stupid. > > And then our fishing buddy just took that attitude to the next level. I bet he was a hoot at the town meeting he keeps crowing about. I think I clearly explained my point was entirely about being sold a product which I had already paid for was the point which I found stupid. Obviously you were unable to decipher this much from the original post, seeing that it was fairly clear what I was actually writing about I can only conclude that I would rather be a dangerous idiot capable of reading rather than being an arogant ass lie you. ---
**Author:** ![The\_27th\_Evil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ebca7d/32.png) [@The\_27th\_Evil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_27th_Evil)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2004, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/society-for-stupid-people/238212/93 "2004-04-07T21:48:32Z")
> [@OneYogini](#): > > And now they’re doing an “Extreme Makeover” show with a group of “ugly ducklings” and after their collective surgeries, they’re going to have them all compete in a beauty contest to see which one of the group turned out to be the hottest, I suppose. Can’t remember what the show will be called (don’t care). Don’t know the name, but it’s FOX. **UndeadCleopatra** and I think they are actively trying to be offensive lately. ---
**Author:** ![Mottpot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Mottpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mottpot)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2004, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/society-for-stupid-people/238212/94 "2004-04-07T23:29:55Z")
^The Swan ---
**Author:** ![Kaboodle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8edcca/32.png) [@Kaboodle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaboodle)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2004, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/society-for-stupid-people/238212/95 "2004-04-08T04:07:33Z")
> [@htns](#): > > The QWERTY keyboard. Why are you still stuck with a 120 year old hack that has since outlived its usefulness? [Try a Dvorak instead.](http://qwerty.su.cx) You might want to read [Cecil’s column](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_248.html) about the QWERTY and Dvorak keyboards. He doesn’t agree with you. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/society-for-stupid-people/238212.md?page=4)