More and more people are spreading racist slogans and inhumane comments on the internet, shouting at demonstrations against refugees, and flooding Germany with right-wing hatred. And words are increasingly followed by actions. Refugee shelters are burning, and there are more and more right-wing extremist motivated attacks. The reasons for these outbreaks of violence are not solely xenophobia, flawed refugee policies, or a lack of integration of immigrants. There is a deeper evil at play: the relentless advance of dumbing down – the refusal to open oneself to reason and facts. Instead, people are driven by their emotions, primarily fear. "Concerned citizens" incite against foreigners and post xenophobic statements online because they seem to remain anonymous there and fear no consequences. These people are blind.