Dumb and Stupid Quotes Thread: Idiotic Source and Context are Key.

[SS-18 ICBM]

"The chief distinction in the intellectual powers of the two sexes is shewn by man’s attaining to a higher eminence, in whatever he takes up, than can woman—whether requiring deep thought, reason, or imagination, or merely the use of the senses and hands. If two lists were made of the most eminent men and women in poetry, painting, sculpture, music (inclusive both of composition and performance), history, science, and philosophy, with half-a-dozen names under each subject, the two lists would not bear comparison."
-Charles Darwin, p. 564, The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

See, the man is a genius.

 

[SS-18 ICBM]

Who the hell writes this crap?
"The universe is either in progress or in entropy. We choose progress."
-Civ V: BE tech quote for the Pioneering tech

 

[gay_Aleks]

Yes, but Civilisation games are excused for having stupid idealism. It's their modus operandi. Have you seen some of the quotes? They're like, so bad.

 

[SS-18 ICBM]

Are you saying the SMAC quotes are stupid? I'll bleeding fight you for that.

 

[gay_Aleks]

There are obviously exceptions.

 

[Kyriakos]

Who the hell writes this crap?
"The universe is either in progress or in entropy. We choose progress."
-Civ V: BE tech quote for the Pioneering tech

That is a really bad quote indeed. And in many ways. Isn't any system in 'entropy' anyway? Iirc the lack of any ability to change is when 'maximum entropy' is reached, while entropy is included as a parameter even when the system is almost chaotically active.

 

[Phrossack]

"I have been obstinately resistant to the use of suffocating gases against these indigenous peoples but after what they have done, and of their treasonous and deceptive conduct, I have to use them with true joy."

-High Commissioner of Spanish Morocco Dámaso Berenguer in a 12 August 1921 letter to the Spanish Minister of War on the gassing of the civilians and fighters of the Rif Republic

 

[Tee Kay]

Gassing Muslim hill tribes is a rite of passage for 1920s imperialists.

 

[SS-18 ICBM]

Isn't any system in 'entropy' anyway? Iirc the lack of any ability to change is when 'maximum entropy' is reached, while entropy is included as a parameter even when the system is almost chaotically active.

Yes, exactly. And the guy who said it is supposed to be a scientist too. This level of writing...just...damn...

 

[SS-18 ICBM]

TIL leukemia is a singular disease with a singular cure. TIL animal research should be banned because it can't meet Mr. Singer's arbitrary, scientifically-uninformed criterion for research outcomes.

"If a single experiment could cure a disease like leukemia, that experiment would be justifiable. But in actual life the benefits are always much, much more remote, and more often than not they are nonexistent.
- Peter Singer, Animal Liberation, 2nd ed.

 

[Kyriakos]

TIL leukemia is a singular disease with a singular cure. TIL animal research should be banned because it can't meet Mr. Singer's arbitrary, scientifically-uninformed criterion for research outcomes.

"If a single experiment could cure a disease like leukemia, that experiment would be justifiable. But in actual life the benefits are always much, much more remote, and more often than not they are nonexistent.
- Peter Singer, Animal Liberation, 2nd ed.

Mr Singer, a very appropriate name for a man who seems unable to keep his mouth shut.

/Jacobite

 

[SS-18 ICBM]

Malala is an adorable Oriental maiden, isn't she?
"I know your father is backstage and he's very proud of you, but would he be mad if I adopted you? Because you sure are swell."
-Jon Stewart, 2013-10-08 Daily Show interview with Malala Yousafzai

 

[tetley]

"So, Lone Star, now you see that evil will always triumph. Because good is dumb. "

-- Dark Helmet, Spaceballs

 

[Cutlass]

"Obama doesn't want America to believe that we're exceptional. He wants us to be just like everybody else, and if Africa is suffering from Ebola, we ought to join the group and be suffering from it, too. That's his attitude."
—

Phyllis Schlafly

 

[Traitorfish]

Jesus, is she still alive?

 

[gay_Aleks]

He's an exceptional being created to annoy us.

 

[Cutlass]

"Let's be honest. Does anyone not believe that Congresswoman Annie Kuster is ugly as sin? And I hope I haven't offended sin. If looks really matter and if this race is at all close, give a decided edge to Marlinda Garcia...Sad to say, but the drag queens are more attractive than Annie Kuster."
—

NH state Rep. Steve Vaillancourt, on U.S. Rep. Ann Kuster's re-election campaign

 

[Samson]

"Let's be honest. Does anyone not believe that Congresswoman Annie Kuster is ugly as sin? And I hope I haven't offended sin. If looks really matter and if this race is at all close, give a decided edge to Marlinda Garcia...Sad to say, but the drag queens are more attractive than Annie Kuster."
—

NH state Rep. Steve Vaillancourt, on U.S. Rep. Ann Kuster's re-election campaign

Can a politician get away with being that openly sexist in America and keep his seat? I would be surprised if an MP in the UK could get away with it.

 

[Arakhor]

He appears to be a fairly unattractive man himself, so yeah, it's just downright rude.