The happy idiots of old-time, and modern Phoenix, Arizona


I have a special affection for happy idiots. I've lived in Arizona for a long time, and while I'm sure that they're plentiful all over the world, I've found no shortage here. And just to be clear here, a happy idiot isn't someone who is necessarily stupid, or hasn't learned something yet, it's someone who is surrounded by plenty of information that they simply "don't get". And of course, they need to be happy about it.

I myself spent a fair amount of time as a happy idiot, after a stroke many years ago, and I can honestly say that it was the happiest time of my life. Everyone around me seemed to be so brilliant, and I was very happy with that. Of course, I've always been predisposed to being a happy idiot, as anyone who has seen me drink one two many beers, or gin-and-tonics, can testify to. A lack of functioning brain cells makes me cheerful!

Of course, there are many people who are not-so-happy idiots - the ones who don't understand stuff, and it makes them angry. I've always steered clear of those people. And since this is a history blog, I thought it would be fun to time-travel to old-time Phoenix and spend some time with happy idiots.


Speaking for myself, I'd probably need a few shots of whiskey, which was very common in old-time Phoenix. With my brain fully functioning I tend to be a person who worries, but after a "medicinal dose" I'm sure I'd be smiling and laughing with the rest of the idiots.

Mostly I picture the happy idiots laughing at the people around them. There's a childishness in being a happy idiot, and kids can be mean. So as happy idiots we would laugh at someone who is having difficulty hitching up a team, or the guy who forgot to ground himself before changing the bulb on the street light (maybe that's not so funny, it can be fatal!). Happy idiots can, of course, laugh at the way people walk, or dress. Look at that lady's hat! Hahahahaha!

Sadly, I didn't remain a happy idiot. After a few years my brain started knitting itself back together, and I started to worry about my happy idiot friends, who believed in things like UFOS, conspiracy theories, flat earth, you name it. And though I was wiser, I was sadder. It's nice being a happy idiot!
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