I once heard a stand-up comedian joke about how, in the past, every village had one fool, but with the internet, it feels as though all the fools from every village have been connected. This highlights a significant challenge of our modern age: the democratization of communication through the internet and social media. While this connectivity has many benefits, it also means that everyone, regardless of expertise or intention, has an equal platform to share their ideas.

The issue arises when fleeting opinions and poorly researched content are given the same stage—or even more attention—than thoroughly vetted information from credible sources. A well-researched news article or scientific study can take months or even years to produce, requiring rigorous checking, sourcing, and verification. Meanwhile, a poorly conceived opinion or conspiracy theory can be generated in minutes, spreading far and wide before it can be debunked.

This disparity is one reason conspiracy theories gain traction so easily. Explaining a complex scientific concept or debunking misinformation often requires a deep understanding of fields like physics or biology—knowledge that not everyone possesses. Take the example of chemtrails: some people prefer to believe they consist of harmful chemicals deliberately sprayed by aircraft rather than understanding the atmospheric science behind them. The simplicity of these explanations makes them more appealing than the nuanced truth.

In many ways, this phenomenon mirrors historical resistance to groundbreaking ideas. Consider Galileo: in his time, he faced the task of convincing a relatively small group of authorities about the heliocentric model. Today, with the proliferation of social media, a modern-day Galileo might find it nearly impossible to gain consensus, as every individual has a platform to voice dissent—sometimes without fully understanding the subject matter. These days, the truth is very hard to disclose because everyone can give his/her opinion.

This same dynamic was evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. People saw others voicing skepticism or outright denial of public health measures and thought, “I’m not the only one who feels this way”. This reinforcement, amplified by social medias, created a mass effect where unobjective opinions gained the appearance of legitimacy simply because of their widespread repetition.

And it extends beyond social media. Our modern society brings stupidity and mediocrity upfront. There is an ecosystem of lazyness rising. For example food delivery. Anyone mainly in big cities can skip grocery shopping by clicking buttons on an app and getting food delivered at their door. Anyone attractive or not, especially men, can consume sex by watching online porn, receivning instant gratification without the need for human connection. People don’t even need to make an effort for these basic needs/behaviors which are food or sex, it comes to them in a few clicks.

When I was in middle school, I often felt a disconnect with some of my classmates, as many seemed to struggle with basic concepts like reading a graph of a linear function. Reflecting on this now, I sometimes worry about the challenges of living in a society where everyone has an equal voice in critical matters, from voting to participating in public discourse. It raises important questions about how we equip individuals with the tools and knowledge to navigate complex societal issues and make informed decisions, based on science, that impact us all.

While these innovations undoubtedly have their place and benefits, they highlight an important question: How do we balance the ease of modern life with the need to cultivate critical thinking, effort, and engagement? Are social medias making us stupid? Yes, social medias make us stupid, it is scientifically proven that it ramollishes our brains. So in a world where information and resources are more accessible than ever, we must ensure that this accessibility empowers us to grow rather than settle for mediocrity.