After all, Jordan Peterson himself has assured us that one should never assume malevolence when stupidity can explain an action. I mean, only stupidity could explain why top FBI officials would discuss their secret investigations with CNN executives, right?
E-mails Show FBI Brass Discussed Dossier Briefing Details With CNN
New e-mails show former FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe was surprisingly knowledgeable about CNN’s understanding of and deliberation about a dossier briefing given to Donald Trump days before CNN ever reported on the matter.
Newly revealed e-mails show that former Federal Bureau Investigation (FBI) deputy director Andrew McCabe was keenly aware of CNN’s internal understanding of a secret briefing about the infamous Steele dossier, days before CNN published any stories on the matter. The e-mails, which were obtained by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.), also reveal that top officials used coded language to refer to the salacious and unverified allegations made by Steele.
Peterson’s “general rule of thumb” is a false dilemma. There is no contradiction between evil and stupidity. Evil comes in many forms, most of them stupid, some of them intelligent.
But a better rule of thumb is this: Anyone who claims stupidity is sufficient explanation for malevolence is in league with the malevolent.
If there is one thing I have learned from editing Moira Greyland’s book and observing how various scandals have played out over the last five years, it is that the truth is usually worse than the skeptics and conspiracy theorists ever imagine.