Types of Stupid Characters
it is commonly known that there are different types of intelligence, and it should follow that there are different types of stupidity, but this fact seems less well-known. anyway, here is a resource for crafting your himbos and regular dumbasses
classic book smart but no common/practical sense: this is the character that speaks 8 languages or has multiple phds or is a pioneer in their field but can’t cook mac and cheese from a box or be trusted with a weed whacker. as the title says, a classic, very valid.
book smart, may have practical sense, but Does It Anyway: This is the character constantly asking, “What happens if...” The answer is usually swearing and property damage.
wise but classically stupid: this character will hit you with deep wisdom and advice about life but then will ask you how many legs a duck has . Underutilized and underrated.
wise but can’t take their own advice: This character will give you profound advice about life and then end up falling-down drunk in a ditch in florida covered in alligator bite marks and sobbing about their ex. They’re completely levelheaded when advising other people but all their personal decisions are just the worst
competent at exactly one thing: self explanatory.
good-hearted and well intentioned, but socially clueless: will tell their girlfriend that her dress makes her look rectangular, and be confused why this isn’t taken as a compliment, and then buy her a chameleon to make up because women like chameleons, right
practical sense but can’t read the room: levelheaded and good at whatever it is that they do, but not good at being diplomatic. will call you an idiot to your face if you question their practical know-how no matter how important you are.
not actually lacking in cleverness or sense, but no impulse control: thoughts take longer to load than actions for this character. hindsight is 20/20, but it’s hind instead of fore
lovable and socially intelligent but completely stupid otherwise: this character is cute, charismatic or socially adept enough to make it just about anywhere. It takes a private, informal conversation for people to realize that there’s nothing going on upstairs
smart maybe 30% of the time: it’s a total crap shoot whether this character’s thoughts and ideas are brilliant or terrible. They sometimes come up with something great, often enough for them to be thought of as a genius, but a lot of the time there’s nothing in their head but bullshit
Tag yourself, I’m #1. I have a masters, a novel and a company but litterally got banned from cooking for a few years because I lit 3 separate microwaves on fire- all via trying to make easymac.
