bhaskar saikia

We often use the word idiot as an insult, throwing it around to describe someone we think is foolish, ignorant, or lacking intelligence. But have you ever stopped to wonder what the word really means? Is an idiot truly stupid? Or is there more to the story?

Idiot

The word idiot comes from the Greek “idiṓtēs“, which originally had nothing to do with intelligence. It simply referred to a private individual—someone who did not participate in public affairs or governance. In ancient Greece, being part of the city-state’s political life was seen as a responsibility. Those who ignored it were called idiots, not because they were dumb, but because they were disengaged from civic life.

Over time, the meaning of idiot changed. It became associated with ignorance, lack of knowledge, or an inability to understand complex matters. But if we go back to its roots, an idiot was not someone lacking intelligence—they were simply someone who chose to focus on personal matters rather than the broader society.

Tribe

Long before nations and cities existed, humans lived in tribes—small, tightly knit communities where survival depended on cooperation. In a tribe, everyone had a role. Whether as hunters, gatherers, healers or leaders, every member contributed to the collective good. There were no idiots in a tribe because no one had the luxury of being disengaged. Participation was not a choice; it was a necessity, to engage in some form of communal life.

Citizen

As civilizations grew, societies became more complex, giving birth to the concept of citizenship. A citizen was not just someone who lived in a city but someone who had rights and responsibilities—to vote, to serve, to shape the policies that governed their community. The idea was that a functional society required active participation.

Why Citizens Matter

In tribal societies, survival depended on communal effort. In democratic societies, progress depends on collective engagement. When people disengage—whether due to disillusionment, comfort or sheer exhaustion—they leave important decisions to a minority. And history has shown that when too few people hold power, decisions often serve the interests of the few rather than the many.

A citizen is not just a legal status; it is an ongoing responsibility. It means staying informed, questioning narratives and making choices that extend beyond personal gain. It means not just consuming information but understanding its implications. It means remembering that society is not something that happens to us—it is something we create together.

The Choice

In ancient Greece, being an idiot was a choice—one that reflected personal priorities rather than intelligence. Today, the choice remains the same. Will we be citizens, actively shaping our world? Or will we retreat into our private lives, letting others decide our future?

Idiots are not stupid. But a world run by idiots—by those who refuse to engage—can lead to truly stupid consequences.