Comfort in Frustration

I think of this quote of Schiller's from time to time.  Now is such a time, as the great, tawdry and tiresome spectacle of a presidential election is interminably played out before us in all its squalid splendor.

There's something unseemly in every election here in our Glorious Union, and I suspect elsewhere.  It comes from the fact that all politicians must whore themselves out in several ways to obtain the dubious distinction of election.  Having been elected, they'll exchange favors for money required to seek reelection and then, again, engage in the posturing needed to convince people to cast their votes so they may continue to pursue corruption.

But even the cynical must acknowledge that this particular election is special; worthy of note as a spectacle remarkable among the spectacularly sad mummery that makes up our politics.  Never has stupidity played such a significant role, though it's always an important factor in the choices we collectively make.

I don't speak specifically of the stupidity of the contestants, though I think that of one of them is profound, and that of the other is more in the nature of a habit acquired by any politician of long standing who must perforce exercise what intelligence he/she possesses narrowly and for a limited purpose.  I speak of our stupidity,  i.e. that of the electors.

I find it difficult to explain what seems to be the ubiquity of stupidity in these times.  The disregard and suspicion of scientific and medical knowledge, the fundamentalist, literalist nature of religious belief, the astonishing resurgence of belief in a "flat earth", the acceptance of the almost laughable conspiracy theories promoted by such as Qanon, the widespread belief in obvious lies and liars, are remarkable in the 21st century.  

How is it possible for us collectively to make an intelligent decision on any significant matter when we're so overwhelmed by what appears to be a determination and perhaps even a compulsion not to think?

Is this extraordinary indulgence in gullibility an especially American trait, or is it taking place elsewhere as well?

Is Schiller right?  If so, perhaps we can take some comfort in the fact that even divinities have no recourse, and are helpless when confronting the stupidity of humanity.  What must their frustration be given their omnipotence?  How can our frustration compare to theirs?

The stupidity of others is largely beyond our control, but even a Stoic can't be indifferent to, and must marvel at, stupidity at large, and is reduced to trying to limit personal stupidity.  The gods clearly are of no help if Schiller is correct.