MORON – a flexible term indeed

Back in 1910, it was good old psychologist Henry H. Goddard (I called him ‘Hank’) who came up with the psychological term ‘moron’ – way to go, Hank. He used this term to describe mild intellectual disabilities. But for some unknown reason, ‘moron’ quickly became a common and very popular term used by the rest of us. It has ever since worked well as an insult, a description of ignorance as in lack of knowledge and/or to describe an unwitting person or persons. ‘Moron’ is a flexible term indeed…  

Hank’s ‘moron’ originated from the Ancient Greek word ‘moros’, meaning ‘dull’. He used it to describe an adult person with a mental capacity of an 8 to 12 year old child. To me, that’s a bit disrespectful towards a vast majority of today’s children between 8 and 12 years old – seriously. As we all know, the opposite of ‘moron’ is ‘oxy’, which means ‘sharp’. And then you ask: ‘oxy-moron’ – means what precisely?’ Compare it with: ‘It’s raining – outside’ (duh) or ‘He’s pretty ugly’ (double duh)…

Used in the correct psychological sense, the term ‘moron’, was applied to individuals with IQ’s of 51-70.  It was above ‘imbecile’ (IQ’s of 26-50) and ‘idiot’ (IQ’s of 0-25). But enough of this clinical stuff, because here is what I’m really getting at - and thanks for your patience…

In my later years, perhaps the last 50 of the 70 I have survived thus far, I found that using the terms ‘imbecile’ and ‘idiot’ in my younger days, were utterly disrespectful, as they are serious clinical terms for unfortunate individual’s mental and/or medical conditions. Sure, back in the days of frolicking and not knowing much better, I did not hold back on using either of these ignorant labels. In hindsight, and how clever we are, it only made me utterly ignorant and disgustingly disrespectful – back then, I was surely Peter the Moron, huh?

But since those ignorant days, I have found myself very comfortable using ‘moron’ or ‘moronic’ to describe and comment on some of the world around me; lately I have used it a lot. Remember that the term was removed from the world of psychology many years ago, so in my book of references, it doesn’t have any guilt applications, absolutely none. So when do I use ‘moron’ or ‘moronic’? 

In spite of the many times my mother called me a ‘genius’ (it was only later on I acknowledged the true meaning of sarcasm), I have never considered myself such. But in the Small World of Peter, I see myself as fairly logical, rational, understanding, besides being an overall nice guy; you get the idea. I read and learn a lot, non-fiction as well as fiction and though I am fully aware that not too much of the info we pull from the Internet is truly fully true, or that from TV and newspapers, I have always trusted, that as long as I keep soaking myself in a lot of information, I have a much better chance to evaluate and sort out the true world around me, the world according to Peter. So please, do understand that this is how I see it and from where I sit, that works pretty okay for me; well of course...

I see a moronic person (aka: moron) as a person who is blatantly egocentric, as in self-serving, self-absorbed and fully believing and behaving like he or she is some kind of god or goddess and in most cases beyond. That type of person is an unashamed liar, openly self-contradicting, but not at all aware of, or just simply ignorant about his or her lack of any consistency related to truths, realities and facts. Their opinions and views about life in any form, defy common logic and proven certainties. These are dangerous and ignorant people and they have no place in my life – they never had and they never will. In my book of references, these are the hardcore morons – watch out.

I find the use of ‘moron’ convenient, but I try not to use it as a generalization, though it is a lot faster. To me a ‘moron’ can be anybody I choose it to be, based on that person’s behavior, logic, respect, ignorance, compassion or lack of. To me, homophobes and racists, just to name a few, are big time moronic, due to their absence of respect and acceptance of diversity. It angers me that we can’t all grasp how rich diversity is, and fully understand that when each of us respect and accept diversity, we will all become a lot stronger – together. Our differences should be embraced, instead of rejected and ignored.

No, Dear Reader, this is not Peter Almighty labeling his surroundings, judging and sentencing in a banal and ignorant manner, but we all have opinions based on life lived and experiences had, so I am seriously fine with that. You probably have opinions I do not agree with, but I will still respect those opinions, if I like them, understand them or not – that is my choice and then my choice to react accordingly. But if you at any point try to persuade me that you are right and I’m wrong, I stop listening; remember that ‘respect of opinions’ thing.

I find people who blindly trust and believe liars and egocentrics, to be in a moronic group. And it worries me to find perfectly intelligent and educated people in that bunch as well. I’m puzzled why they (we?) cannot see through the crap and the deceit, especially when it’s utterly blatant. What’s wrong with us, seriously?

I’m not only labeling my surroundings with (moronic!) judgments, at times I label myself a moron due to stuff I have said or did, say or do – but not often, of course, ha ha, as I have learned a few things down the road of life. There are a couple of incidents in my past that I would like to go back and ‘fix’ if possible. In one case I was utterly rude and insensitive (outright lied) to a smart and sweet girl (young woman, actually). That incident and the utter shame from that, has followed me till this day. I think about it often and the shame stays the same. Though it was nothing huge, it still reminds me to stay on track, trying not to act like a moron again (my definition of moron). But this is the soft-core moron, and not dangerous at all – just a silly and ignorant one.

I notice fewer morons on my way, as time is ticking by. Embracing, respecting and accepting diversity is certainly one of the reasons why. And I like it that way – I’m maturing. Sure I occasionally scream MORON, when somebody cuts in front of me on the road, but today I’m more willing to ask myself in those instances: ‘now, who’s the real moron?’

Of course this would never happen, but let’s just pretend for a brief second, that somebody actually calls me a ‘moron’. First I would try to assume their reasoning, wrap it around my understanding of it and eventually comfort myself that (luckily) it is only their opinion (phew, that was a close call)… But full-time morons don’t even acknowledge being called morons, as they are too busy being full-time and hardcore moronic.

 I like the softer kind of morons a lot better – a whole lot better, as they are not dangerous, but more so laughable in a sweet kind of way… And I’ve been there a few times (sigh)… Haven’t you?