31 Of The Most Random And Dumb Things People Have Said With Zero Doubt About Being Right

You’d probably be thinking that not-so-clever people are the only ones spouting nonsense. In fact, sometimes, it’s the smartest people who end up saying the dumbest things. It’s because they often have a strong urge to be right, so it may be hard for them to accept that they are ever wrong.

When people are always used to being right, they convince themselves that everything they’re saying is true. Being told they’re wrong may then feel like a personal attack. That’s often why dumb ideas may keep getting perpetuated, especially if folks aren’t open to correcting themselves.

To understand more about this, Bored Panda reached out to Marta Stelmaszak Rosa, PhD. She is an assistant professor of information systems and an author focusing on exploring the value of human thinking skills in the digital age. She works at a research-intensive business school, and after hours, she’s dedicated to fostering critical and creative thinking through her writing.

Dr. Marta explained that “someone may not even be aware that what they’re saying is incorrect, so they have no reasons to doubt themselves or lack confidence. Their memory may be playing tricks on them, they might have been told or taught something wrong, or science and discovery might have revised the common knowledge on a topic since they first heard about it.”

As you’ve probably noticed from the examples of dumb things folks have said, a lot of these are fake facts that people have put their full faith in. Even though we have the entire Internet at our fingertips, it has actually made it tougher for folks to sift through what’s true and what’s untrue. The more people keep hearing false information, the likelier they are to end up believing all of that eventually.

At first, people might believe in silly conspiracy theories, and eventually this can turn into a full blown conviction about something that isn’t backed up by evidence. It doesn’t help if there are groups of people who keep harping on the same nonsense ideas. Research also shows that Gen Z and Millennials are better able to figure out false facts but they may still unknowingly share misleading information.

Dr. Marta shared that “a range of biases and effects may be at play that can make a person be fully convinced that they’re right, even if evidence exists to the contrary. For example, confirmation bias, where people seek out and trust information that supports their existing beliefs even if it’s false may entrench someone’s conviction.”

“Similarly, repeated exposure to misinformation can build up a false sense of truth, a phenomenon known as the illusory truth effect. Finally, some cultures value and reward confidence. So, there are people who may prefer to speak confidently regardless of accuracy because they believe they can gain influence, trust, or attention this way,” she added.

Nobody thinks that what they’re saying is dumb or false. Everyone believes in the authenticity of the information they say, which is why they’re able to say it with confidence. To truly uncover fake facts, it’s important to fact-check the story as much as possible. Make sure the information is available from multiple high-authority sources.

If you find out that you’ve been wrong about something, the best thing to do is to self-correct. There is no shame in admitting you were wrong or that you made a mistake. It is always a great learning experience. In case it’s a friend or family member who is spreading misinformation, it’s best to talk about it to them in private.

Sometimes, though, it can actually be a superpower to play dumb. Dr. Marta said: “what we may call a strategic use of stupidity can sometimes yield great benefits. For example, asking supposedly basic questions can challenge assumptions and improve problem-solving and decision-making.”

“Intentionally saying something that’s incorrect can spur creative thinking because it works as a pattern-breaker in a regular train of thought. Putting on an intellectual camouflage can also help you avoid unnecessary power struggles and defuse ego battles. Like all superpowers, it’s all about intention and context!”

One of the biggest learnings you should take away from listening to folks say nonsense with confidence is that it’s okay to question the stuff you’re saying. It’s also okay to admit that you’re wrong and learn from that experience. It’s always better to self-correct and speak the truth than make up a story.

Many people, when they’re confronted with the fact that they’ve been spreading misinformation, become defensive. Then they aren’t able to move forward from the experience and instead get stuck spouting the same dumb things over and over again. Changing one’s mind and being open to new thoughts is the best way to keep moving forward.

When we asked Dr. Marta how a person can deal with someone who truly believes in the truth of fake facts, she mentioned that “the rule of thumb is to focus less on correcting and more on connecting. Ask how they came to believe something, as this can give you important insights into where they come from. Plus, people tend to be less defensive when they feel heard.”

“Ask follow-up questions. Make people think for themselves, which tends to work better than correcting them. Focus on shared values, for example, by highlighting a core value you have in common and linking accurate info to the value. Above all, don’t try to win or prove them wrong. This can quickly backfire. Stay calm and curious, and you might as well plant a seed that will grow later,” she explained.

If you ever come across something spouting complete misinformation with full conviction in what they’re saying, it’s best to take a breath and try to consider where they’re coming from. Rather than confronting them head-on, it’s better to speak gently and with respect. You may not be able to change everyone’s mind, but a select few might listen, which is also a win!

What are some silly things you’ve heard people say with complete confidence? Let us know in the comments so that we can also have a laugh.