What is Stupid: Definition and 313 Discussions

Stupidity is a lack of intelligence, understanding, reason, or wit. It may be innate, assumed or reactive. The word stupid comes from the Latin word stupere. Stupid characters are often used for comedy in fictional stories. Walter B. Pitkin called stupidity "evil", but in a more Romantic spirit William Blake and Carl Jung believed stupidity can be the mother of wisdom.

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  1. marcus

    ECONOMICS: It's stupid to be afraid (Lee Kuan Yew to Der Spiegel)

    In case anyone is interested in the 21st Cent role of China in world economy here is an interview with a smart realistic guy: DER SPIEGEL INTERVIEW WITH SINGAPORE'S LEE KUAN YEW "It's Stupid to be Afraid" Singapore's first-ever prime minister, long-time government head and current...
  2. O

    Maximizing Efficiency: Tips for Translating a Book in a Team"

    ... here is PF and and most of PF people, do like stupid questions :biggrin: Here is the problem: Me and my friend planned to translate a book. We have only one book. And we don't want to be in the same place, physically, even for one minute. Till now, I typed some pages of the book and...
  3. honestrosewater

    Can someone explain this stupid PayPal thing to me?

    I just want to become a PF Contributor today! I'm using someone else's PayPal account because I don't have or want one. So how do I do this? Their website doesn't help. Her current balance is 0. Do I have to transfer money to the account or what? Can I just pay with a credit card? How do I do...
  4. Lisa!

    Take the Stupidity Test: Find Out Now!

    Take the Test!
  5. T

    Barclays Bank's Dead Account Debacle: Daughter's Hilarious Response Goes Viral

    I thought a good laugh could be had by all by posting the stupid and inane from officialdom. Here's one for a start:
  6. K

    Calc II: I Forgot to Answer One Problem & Got an A-

    I found out I could've gotten an A+ in Calc II if i had answered one more problem. I forgot (dont' ask me how) to answer a problem and there was another set of problems that I should've paid more attnetion to. As is, I got an A-. Stupid stupid stupid!
  7. Pengwuino

    Curious Minds Unite: Exploring Pointless Experiments in Our Lives

    So what kind of stupid experiments has everyone tried? For example, i was going to (but never got around to it) try to find out the specific heat of coca-cola. I also wanted to find out if smaller ice cooled faster then larger ice. So what kinda stupid or pointless or nearly pointless...
  8. M

    Reinterpreting Wave-Particle Duality: A New Perspective on Electrons and Protons

    I don't know where I can post my question that will certainly appear to be a kind of heresy or the proof of my naivity. We all have learned the duality between wave and associated particle (or the way around). Some particles are carrying an electric charge. This means in reality that if the...
  9. A

    At What Speed Do Flat Propellors Mimic a Solid Circular Mass?

    If you had a set of flat propellors (propellors that are not curved and do not :rolleyes: .. propel), at what speed would they need to be rotating for them to take on the properties of a solid circular mass of the material? P.S. sorry if this is vague :frown:
  10. N

    Read This Hilarious Take on Stupid Drivers | The Onion News

    I don't really know where else to put this link but everyone needs to read it.It is hilarious. http://www.theonion.com/news/index.php?issue=4121&n=1
  11. 4

    Force & Acceleration: Explaining F=ma in Disguise

    Ok we did a force vs acceleration graph in class, and got an equation from it(couldnt use Y and X for the equation). The question is explain why the equation is F=ma in disguise. Obviously it is, like force is the y, slope is the mass etc, but how can I actually explain it is?
  12. S

    God I hate this stupid question, but my friends are all arguing again, sooo

    does .999~ = 1 or not?
  13. B

    Understanding the Relationship between Frequency and Period in Physical Motion"

    Hi all, I have been studying for my physics final which is tomorrow for the past 9 hours..my brain hurts...sorry if this question is dumb I keep getting f=freq T=period mixed what is the difference between the two again in the physical sense (i.e. would the motion of pistons in a...
  14. M

    Gees, Feeling Stupid? Need Help with Truss Forces? Let's Get Started!

    Gday guys, Im having trouble finding the forces in this truss. I feel really stupid, I should be able to do this. Can you guys give me a hand starting off? Cheers. :blushing:
  15. S

    Why Did I Write a Completely Wrong Answer on My Physics Test?

    I very much frickin doubt it but I don't know what made me do this. I just had a test and was answering a question on particles traveling through a magnetic field. (You had to give a description of their characteristics based on the movement). Anyway I'm not going to say what I put down...
  16. Pengwuino

    Why People Exhibit Confusing Behavior: An Analysis

    Far more specifically (title was just to get attention)... Why is it that people exhibit the following behavior... You and a friend walk into a store full of vases. You want a specific one and you ask your friend to help. You tell them "I want this vase, its all red but has a green flower on...
  17. S

    What Is the Past Tense of "Seek"?

    I was writing an essay, and i realized...i don't know how to use the verb, "seek" in past tense. I looked in the dictionary, and it only had "to seek" "seeker" "seeking" "seeks", but no "seeked" or even "sake". What is the past tense for "seek"?
  18. M

    Finding d2y/dz2 for Calculating Derivatives with Variable Change

    Okay, I feel really dumb, because this seems like something I should know, but I don't. So, here's my question. Suppose I have d2y/dx2, x = x(z), and z = z(x) How do I find d2y/dz2? Here's what I did: dy/dz = dy/dx * dx/dz d2y/dz2 = d/dz ( dy/ dz ) = d/dz (dy/dx * dx/dz) = d2y/dx2 *...
  19. G

    Dealing with an Inconsiderate Roommate: Tips & Advice

    Who here has ever lived with someone that was a complete pig? My roomate is starting to really piss me off. I clean the dishes everytime and in less than 24 hours there is another full sink because my roomate doesn't ever do the dishes. We have a freakin dishwashwer for god's sake. He can't...
  20. phoenixthoth

    Understanding Arrows and Sets in Category Theory | Exploring Foundations of Math

    I was wondering how set theory could be categorized. I've heard that category theory can serve as an alternate foundation for math. But a fundamental symbol in the language is ∈. How is this done with arrows? I was trying to figure out how arrows might be elements of a set (that isn't not...
  21. K

    So how many people in your school were pretty stupid?

    Actually, the real question was too big for the subject. It is: "How many people in your physics and chemistry (and other science) classes just memorized equations, and actually had no idea how it worked or what the equations meant?" For me, around 50%. Which is pretty funny when the...
  22. X

    Tangential Speed and Time in a Horizontal Circle Formula | Physics Problem

    ok this stupid program is starting to piss me off again (sry for the french) ok the question is: What tangential speed, , must the bob have so that it moves in a horizontal circle with the string always making an angle theta from the vertical? Express your answer in terms of some or all...
  23. X

    Solve for Normal Force: Mass, Angle, and Sum of Forces | Physics Help

    Ok so the question is: Consider a problem in which a car of mass M is on a road tilted at an angle theta. The normal force: And the choices for answers are: N=M*g N=M*g*cos(theta) N=(M*g)/cos(theta) is found using sum vec{F}=M * a from my calculations, i get that...
  24. G

    How to Calculate the Frequency of Lightwave at 500nm Wavelength

    This sounds like a stupid question. However my teacher didnt really explain it well. Its my first day back at school, cut me some slack thx. - Calculate the frequency of a lightwave of wavelengh 500nm. Travelling at speed of light (3x10^8 ms-1) ----------------------------------------- I...
  25. P

    Is it true that coin flips are always 50-50?

    Need help! My friend thinks coin flips are 50-50! Alright, I've been trying to convince my friend that the outcomes of a coin flip x times in a row affects the x+1'th time. If you flip a coin 4 times and they are all heads, the 5th time is more likely to be a tail because if the coin is even...
  26. E

    How Fast Must a Pion Travel to Cover 15 Meters Before Decaying?

    How fast must a pion be moving in order to travel 15 m before it decays? The avg lifetime, at rest, is 2.6 x 10^-8 s. The answer is supposed to be 0.89c This sounds so easy. Like, just plugging in the formula but I'm not getting it. I haven't done relativity in so long. I think I must've...
  27. N

    Solving the Equation: 8n^2 = 64 n lg(n) with Step-by-Step Guide

    How do I solve the following equation? 8n^2 = 64 n lg(n); (0 < n) n = 8lg(n) 10^n = 10^8 n ...? How do I isolate n?
  28. Math Is Hard

    Office Holiday Party Gift Exchange: Tips and Tricks

    You know the one. You have to bring a wrapped gift for the office holiday party, then you draw a number, and when your number comes up you have to pick a gift or steal one from somebody. Does anyone want a USC mug?
  29. P

    Exploring Differentiation and Integration Techniques for Trigonometric Functions

    Yo. Curious about two things.. First, is it possible to use a method such as differentiation from first principles (the whole lim_{\delta\rightarrow0}\[f(x+\delta)-f(x)]/\delta thing) to differentiate trigonometric functions? Or is everyone stumped with memorizing them? (I'm curious about...
  30. G

    Why do I pay more tuition for stupid courses I don't need?

    I hate how my school has a "core" requirement of liberal arts classes that are more of a pain in the ass, than a learning experience. I only take 2 classes that are related to my major while the other 4 are worthless classes that are required. Why do I pay for all these courses that will have...
  31. F

    Few stupid questions about polar curves and stuff

    Few stupid questions about polar curves and stuff... Okay, here's the first dumb question. I have to find the tangent line where r=2-3sin(T) at the polar point (2,pi). To find the slope, you just take dy/dx, and I come up with 2/3. I know that part is right. T=theta (I know it's spelled...
  32. T

    Baseball Velocity and Components: Solving for Final Velocity and Height

    I'm not quite sure how to get started on this problem... a baseball is struck by a bat, and 3 seconds later it is caught 30m away. now the questions ask for it's final velocity, it's angle as it left the bat, the greatest height it reached, and the X and Y components of it's velocity as...
  33. B

    Can Different Wavelengths Measure Particle Momentum and Position Simultaneously?

    The Uncertainty Principle says, in so many words, that if you use a shorter wavelength of light you obtain a more accurate value for the position of the particle, and that if you use a longer wavelength you obtain a more accurate value for the momentum. Of course the more accurate you are with...
  34. P

    How Does Momentum Affect a Moving Toy Truck When a Brick is Dropped on It?"

    a 1.5 kg brick is dropped vertically onto a 2.5 kg toy truck, which is moving across a level floor at 0.80 m/s. With what velocity do the truck and brick continue to movie, after the brick has landed on the truck. i've dealt with only horizontal movements andd i haven't covered this yet in...
  35. C

    Does Weight Increase Impact Severity in Collisions at Constant Speeds?

    i was just watching gone in 60 seconds on television. in the movie an actor is standing on a platform and someone swings a crane's claw into him at approximately 15mph to knock him off the platform. this started an argument between my roomates and I about whether or not the weight of the claw...
  36. M

    News People outside the US: We didn't vote for Bush because we are afraid, stupid, etc.

    Look woman, we aren't stupid. We didn't vote 9/11. We didn't vote Bush to stop gays from Marrying. I am so sick of people who do not understand the American political landscape, and who are obviously EXTREMELY confined in their thoughts, trying to come up with one reason on why Bush won. If it...
  37. F

    Understanding Integrals: Multiplying by a Constant Within the Integral?

    if you have \int_frac{y}{x}=int_L, if you multiply the LHS by c within the integral, is L multiplied by c within its integral?
  38. T

    Stop Judging: Breaking the Stigma of Asking Questions | Our Thoughts

    Let's face it, if you have to ask a question then that means you don't know the answer, right? So you must be stupid, right? Right?
  39. Math Is Hard

    Balancing Chemical Equations: Tips and Tricks for Frustrated Students

    As you can tell, not my favorite subject. I was going along fine just tinkering with these things and working them out until I started trying to balance this one: Ca3(PO4) + H2SO4 -> CaSO4 + H3PO4 The coefficients I have tried so far are: 2Ca3(PO4) + 3H2SO4 -> 6CaSO4 + 2H3PO4 so...
  40. D

    Why Does Cutting the String Change the Tension Ratio in a Pendulum?

    SO. a ball is suspended by a string from the ceiling, and held at angle theta to the vertical by another string that is attached to the wall nearby... the string attched to the wall is cut and the ball swings like a pendulum, at the farthest it is theta from the vertical on both sides...
  41. S

    Solve Calculus Question: Positive and Negative Cases for x > 1/3

    we just started our calc class, and our teacher gave us this question im sure it is really easy, and i don't know why i just can't get it analytically the question is solve 1 - < 3 solve for positive and negative case. x the positive value is easy, X> 1/3 . How would you...
  42. shintashi

    Is Cold Fusion a Feasible Energy Source or a Dangerous Concept?

    Over the past year, I've evaluated my own research and observations and matched them up with some statements from a pair of friends. One worked on a nuclear sub, and the other worked on an aircraft carrier. Both worked in the nuclear engine rooms. As I've been refining the concept of...
  43. P

    Stupid question looking for stupid answer

    Dozen of science site, offical or not, are saying that moon is always the same apparent size. Most of these site are explaining the perception of size as a simple legendary optical illusion. Some personnal experience lead me to believe that it was not! After about 6 month waiting, I finally...
  44. T

    I'll take the blame, but c'mon stupid is stupid

    I like to play with things. Magnets are so fascinating I buy them all the time. I know I should put my toys away when I'm done, but they are just a couple of small magnets so it shouldn't be a big deal. My girlfriend is a clean freak, she can't stand things not being put away. Last night I went...
  45. A

    You guys are gonna think im either stupid or crazy

    nice title huh, ok now i know that by saying this I am getting the instant reputation of an idiot, believe me, i know about einstein's theory of relativity and the first 2 laws of thermodynamics, but believe it or not i have made a perpetual motion mechine. at this point, i bet most of you are...
  46. E

    Is Fruitarianism the Future of Food? Debunking Myths & Exploring the Benefits

    When I first heard of fruitarianism I thought it was a good idea. I haven't found information that says just eating fruits is insufficient to stay alive. Fruits taste better than vegetables. Now we see that vegetarians are idiots. Hehe, just kidding. I like the taste of meat, but I enjoy most...
  47. N

    Solving Algebraic Equations: Tips for Overcoming Common Mistakes

    Solving Algerbraiclly...Nevermind! It seems I always try a different section of the forums just as someone is answering my out of place one... Haha...
  48. W

    Understanding the Compton Effect: How Light Reflects on a Mirror Explained

    Could you explain me how does Light reflect on a mirror? I assume that Compton effect on electrons is the only way for light to come back to my eyes but in that case, there would be a change of frequency of the photon (and a change of color). Does it mean that it is not me in the mirror ...
  49. C

    How is the distance between a line and a circle calculated?

    We're doing a bit about circles in Pure Maths at the mo and everything's fine about intersections etc until today the lecturer rammed up an easier eqt to tell if a line cuts a circle at 2 distint points or not. We had to show that the line 3y=x+5 cut the circle x^2 + y^2 -6x - 2y -15 in 2...
  50. A

    Understanding the Difference Between Deceleration and Deceleration Force

    is there a difference between decelaration and a deceleration force or are they just the same thing? thanx(an don't laugh)
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