David Krell, a former philosophy professor at DePaul University analyzed trends in media and pop culture to measure U.S. stupidity.
A former DePaul University philosophy professor said in his speech Thursday on “The School for Stupefaction” that stupidity and intelligence might be more complementary than previously thought.
David Krell was introduced by Martin Wallen, an English professor, in the Bartlett Center, saying the audience should keep an open mind.
Krell, who retired a year ago, said he has lived in Germany for about half his life.
It was through this displaced-American perspective that Krell established his basis for examining the rationality, and lack thereof, of thought in the United States of today.
Krell said his residence in Europe contributed to his desire to evaluate stupidity present in both American politics and pop culture.
Audience members appreciated Krell’s insight.
“I thought it was really good,” said Stacy Allen, a graduate student in screen studies.
Allen commended Krell for acknowledging and dismissing the complexity of stupidity located in American pop culture.
“I will not be speaking of [the president’s stupidity] today,” said Krell, “[But instead] for who and for how many was the president successfully cultivating his stupidity.”
Contrary to immediate thoughts from Krell’s early humor directed toward the White House, Krell did not spend an enormous amount of time criticizing, or even evaluating, President Bush.
Instead, most of the talk looked at essays from philosophers including Nietzsche, Hegel, Descartes and other timeless scholars on stupidity, or stupefaction, as Krell often referred to it.
Weaved between eloquently subtle claims and academic support for arguments on stupidity, Krell addressed problems with modern-day America.
Some attendees enjoyed the educational aspect of the speech.
“It was fascinating,” said Kevin Jobe, a graduate student in philosophy, “From a philosophical standpoint it was really engaging, both practically and historically.”
Krell said individuals fake knowing something when confessing confusion or stupidity is more appropriate.
By the end of the night, those listening to Krell were able to decipher the message he had proposed through historical references and German translations.
“The problem is,” said Krell, “there is no distinction between the way we come to be smart and the way we come to be stupid.
“It might be very fruitful for young people to take a look at all the ways to be dumb.”
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