stul•ti•fi•ca•tion

I learned a new word listening to @jordanbpeterson‘s podcast episode that dropped on Monday. He interviewed @naftalibennett, the former prime minister of @Israel.

While discussing the hurdles of communication within a hierarchy, Dr. Peterson suggests that there was some stultification in the Israeli intelligence department based on the way Mr. Bennett was describing it.

This is a good word to get to know if you haven’t already. I got some help from @grok for this one…

Stultification refers to the process or the state of making someone or something appear foolish, stupid, or less intelligent.

It can also refer to the act of rendering something ineffective or useless, often through bureaucratic red tape, excessive rules, or by stifling creativity and innovation.

In a broader psychological or social context, stultification might occur when an environment or situation prevents personal growth, learning, or the development of one’s abilities, leading to a sense of being mentally dulled or suppressed. Here are a few contexts in which the term might be used:

1. Education: When an educational system focuses too heavily on rote learning without encouraging critical thinking, leading to students feeling stultified.

2. Workplace: In a work environment where employees are not given autonomy or are overloaded with mundane tasks, leading to a stultification of their skills and creativity.

3. Legal or Bureaucratic: When procedures are so complex or rigid that they hinder progress or innovation, causing a stultification of processes or initiatives.

4. Personal Development: An individual might feel stultified in a relationship or situation where they are not allowed to express themselves or grow.

The term essentially captures the essence of being or feeling rendered ineffective, intellectually stifled, or regressively mundane.