Or controlling his rancid temper.

Truthfully I don't know. I wonder if it has something to do with them being perceived as innocent. childlike, naive, honest… Maybe there is some comedic appeal--people like Adam Sandler movies and the three stooges. Maybe it makes people feel better about themselves ("I'm smarter than him or her" type thinking) or more relatable since they aren't intelligent either. I really don't know since the dumb act usually seems like a act but I don't get why they do it (hence, my guesses). I do not find it entertaining. I enjoyed the quiz (key lock) task to get the suitcase back but when they have the "dumb" ones (even if they are just acting dumb) then it ruins the task for me.
maybe some lovable fool archetype….IDK and I am not a fan of those types of HMs.

Brave???? Are you having a bubble?

He might be determined but to reach his goals of what? Becoming a fame whore? It's hardly aspiring is it ....

It seems that people perceive stupidity as endearing and non-threatening. Also even garners
sympathy as it is seems to show vulnerability.

There is also the Jeremy Kyle angle where people like to look down on others to feel
better about themselves.

It's all pretty depressing though. It is the flip side of mocking the kids who work hard in school.


This quote above is a rather straw man argument though.

I would prefer a rude crass HM to one who spits at people.

But then I would prefer someone who spits than someone who savagely attacks other HMs.

But then...and so on.

Wouldn't it be lovely if we were all educated to the PHD level and come from family of highly intelligent people then we might all be perfect.
Some of the most brilliant people cannot spell.

I'll take someone who has difficulty spelling any day. Over pompous people who may be good with words and who may be very good at debating. Of course not everyone who is good at these thing's is pompous. But the ones who are that way are far more annoying than someone who can't spell e.t.c.

Great thread OP, co-signed

Ignorance used to be bliss, now with the internet at your fingertips it's a choice

BB's like a celebration of idiocy, from the 'whoop-whoop'ing morons in the crowd to the 'ow my sposed to know' gibberings of the shows Talisman Rylan

It's 'rolls eyes' every episode, but here such talk only provokes a deluge of 'oo look at holier than thou' comments

(willful) Thickos aren't endearing they're a drain on resources

Not knowing how to spell canoe and verbally abusing someone who rightly identified the moon is a very, very, very long way away from being a mastermind of a general knowledge guru. I'm flabbergasted that anyone would think that Danny isn't astonishingly stupid. Of course you can like other things about him, but that doesn't mean he isn't monumentally stupid and ignorant and unapologetic for both.

I agree he's determined but 'brave' is not a word I'd use for any RTV participant.


Bit in bold - I think that's a part of it, definitely. It's why Jerry Springer and its progeny have been so successful.

I don't think that's what this thread is about though. I think it's more about HMs using their time in there to learn from other HMs and perhaps broaden their horizons beyond a Z list life of BOTS regulars, other reality shows and nightclub PAs. It doesn't have to be studying for a Ph.D. it could be just learning more about a world away from their own and getting out of their comfort zone.

The thread is asking why aren't people embarrassed by the stupidity of some of the housemates and I was pointing out that not everyone is reared in an environment where spelling is the bee all and and all.

The Housemates are doing what they can with whatever skills they have. They are a product of our trash media that cares more about tits and sex than spelling.

Oh come of it. Do you really think any housemate is genuinely interested in learning from any other housemate. That's not the nature of the show ultimately it's a selfish show all about the the individual. The clear aim for every housemate is to win this game show , not to broaden any horizons while in there. Housemates definitely aren't thinking about furthering their education.
Also why are so many people on this forum coming across as high brow yet their choosing to watch this z list wannabe crap on there tv.
Something to ponder I think. What you see is what you get with BB always has been. It's trash tv and will stay that way.

I understand that. Well hey ho, Danny has finally nailed down how to spell canoe so all's well that ends well

Maybe that's why Danny is in the house? If he could spell canoe or he knew Isaac Newton wasn't the first man on the moon(wtf) BB would never have put him in there.

In real life I make a point to ridicule the stupid and ignorant, sometimes I point at them and throw seeds, however since this is reality TV... you have to let it pass or just not watch.

sorry but

I think what we should perhaps ponder is how a measured discussion about this brave new world where a grown man is being lauded for spelling canoe is considered 'high brow'. Now that really is something worth considering.

Oh, hello again tonight. Come off what? I've said to you already that I'm not a fan of wanton ignorance. I'm not demanding that the house is filled with University Challenge and Only Connect alumni, but it would be nice to see HMs develop over their stay and that would include both natural and emotional intelligence by broadening their horizons and not limiting themselves to what clothes they'll wear on eviction nights and what clubs have the nicest VIP areas. Even Helen, who I can't bear, mentioned how cool it was to learn about science from Marc and politics from Joel. It was their passion that aided her curiosity. Net benefit for her in my books.

I can do highbrow, lowbrow and everything in between because I make choices about what I watch and where and with whom I discuss it and that's because I'm open to learning across the board.

I'm inclined to agree with you about Danny, but housemates have always tended to be woefully poor at 'general knowledge' questions -- even HMs most people regard as intelligent. I don't know whether it reflects a general level of ignorance in the UK, or whether it's something about people who want to spend months on tv, but it's been very noticeable over the years (even though most examples are soon forgotten).

Helen doesn't give two monkeys about science it just suited her agenda at the time.
They're all trying to make a few bob and who can blame them for that.

They have a stylist in before evictions so it's very important to the show how they're perceived and maybe that's the problem.

Oh dear another uppity FM an F went awol That makes my whole post look thick. NOT. Love this forum. lol


Yes and my discussion was measured too. No not lauded by anyone. It's more like totally destroyed because he couldn't spell canoe. I said some people come across as high brow an pondered why they choose to watch this z list wannabe trashy tv show. Clearly it is just that trash tv and never will be anything else.


Just an expression. Hey. lol
But it's not going to happen. As I said housemates really aren't interested in furthering their education while on BB. Do you seriously expect them to learn anything worthwhile from each other. Or for you to learn from them.
Imo it's just not going to happen. BB has always been like this.

Maybe so, but that second person could well come up with a cure for cancer, or some other disease, which would you prefer then ?

Who watches BB to witness any intelligence or even expect it? Seriously. The contestants are chosen for their shallowness and arrogance
I watch it as a relief from thinking about anything in depth and with morbid curiosity, through my fingers, most times.
Nobody is going to learn anything from people on Big Brother. Read a book instead.

To the OP: They are selected, unnaturally, for certain reasons.

Actually I think it was Aisylene who said that to Marc. When they first met she isn't interested in science one bit either. lol Just a bit of bum licking as they do.

Yup, she did also. Helen mentioned it in one of her first brain dump columns after leaving the house.

I see, ah well if I used twitter i'd tell Helen to look up the naked scientist (not Marc). lol Chris Smith is his name now that guy knows a hell of a lot.