Before we work on artificial intelligence why don’t we do something about natural stupidity? ~Steve Polyak

By A Basque in Boise February 21, 2012 Basque, Basque Community, Diaspora, Local news, Opinion, World 10 Comments

Back in November, I chatted with Xabier Uribe-Etxebarria, founder and CEO of Anboto Group, an e-commerce company based out of Bilbao, Basque Country, about his plans to open an office in Boise. I’d met him a couple of months before at the Basque Center, while he was here on business, and I was curious about his plans with the City of Boise’s Office of Economic Development.

Idaho and the Basque Country have developed a tight bond during the last several decades, and Anboto’s case is just one of many examples. In 1992, the City of Boise established a sister city relationship with the town of Gernika, in Bizkaia. The Cenarrusa Foundation for Basque Culture organizes events on a wide array of subjects, and the Basque Center has invited many bands to play in our town. In the last few months alone, Boise has enjoyed wine tastings, cooking classes, talks about politics, a Basque genealogy workshop, and a concert by GOSE.

Therefore, I wasn’t surprised when I read about the economic agreement between Idaho and the Basque Country. Under the agreement, The Basque Government will open an economic development office in Downtown Boise and Idaho businesses will have a home in the Basque region, likely in Bilbao.

I was surprised, however, by the sheer amount of stupidity shown by some people. I happened to glance over the comments section below the article and I was instantly annoyed by a reader’s opinion. I didn’t expect a “terrorist” comment from a Boise resident (“Teaming up with terrorists. Way to go Butch.”). I was shocked, disappointed, and quite honestly, pissed off. In the 15 years I’ve lived in Boise I’ve never had to suffer such ignorant people. Every time I go back home I pride myself in telling my family and friends how wonderful it is to live in Boise where Basques are highly regarded. I wish people would familiarize themselves with what Basque people do and how hard we work to keep our culture alive before posting insulting and offensive comments.

Thanks for passing by: ↓

Steven Roosevelt Diana Lontzo Sainz

10 thoughts on “Before we work on artificial intelligence why don’t we do something about natural stupidity? ~Steve Polyak”

Steven Roosevelt February 21, 2012 at 13:22

I’m never surprised by the amount of idiocy displayed. Anonymous posters are similar to taggers. The tone of posts generally changes if you have to really personally own them. There are a lot of Boiseans and Americans who can distinguish between the Basque people and the actions of ETA.
Steven Roosevelt February 21, 2012 at 13:22

I’m never surprised by the amount of idiocy displayed. Anonymous posters are similar to taggers. The tone of posts generally changes if you have to really personally own them. There are a lot of Boiseans and Americans who can distinguish between the Basque people and the actions of ETA.
Henar Chico February 21, 2012 at 13:23

Oh, I know. This guy is probably the only one stupid enough to post a comment like that. I guess that’s why I was so surprised.
Henar Chico February 21, 2012 at 13:23

Oh, I know. This guy is probably the only one stupid enough to post a comment like that. I guess that’s why I was so surprised.
Diana February 21, 2012 at 19:45

Or, as the old Argentine proverb goes, intelligence is limited, but stupidity knows no boundaries…
Diana February 21, 2012 at 19:45

Or, as the old Argentine proverb goes, intelligence is limited, but stupidity knows no boundaries…
Lontzo Sainz February 22, 2012 at 2:09

So elegant response 😉
Lontzo Sainz February 22, 2012 at 2:09

So elegant response 😉
Henar Chico February 22, 2012 at 6:21

Well, thank you, Lontzo! I’m from Bilbao after all 🙂
Henar Chico February 22, 2012 at 6:21

Well, thank you, Lontzo! I’m from Bilbao after all 🙂