comedy

The fool or buffoon has been a central character in much comedy. Alford and Alford found
that humor based on stupidity was prevalent in "more complex" societies as compared to some
other forms of humor.[20] Some analysis of Shakespeare's comedy has found that his characters
tend to hold mutually contradictory positions; because this implies a lack of careful analysis it
indicates stupidity on their part.[21]
Today there is a wide array of television shows that showcase stupidity such as The
Simpsons.[22] Goofball comedy refers to a class of naive, zany humour typified by actor Leslie
Nielsen.[23][24]

In literature
The first book in English on stupidity was A Short Introduction to the History of Stupidity by Walter
B. Pitkin (1932):
Stupidity can easily be proved the supreme Social Evil. Three factors combine to establish it as
such. First and foremost, the number of stupid people is legion. Secondly, most of the power in
business, finance, diplomacy and politics is in the hands of more or less stupid individuals.
Finally, high abilities are often linked with serious stupidity.[25]