About the book
\"A masterly book\" —Nassim Nicholas Taleb, author of The Black Swan
\"A classic\" —Simon Kuper, Financial Times
An economist explains five laws that confirm our worst fears: stupid people can and do rule the world
Throughout history, a powerful force has hindered the growth of human welfare and happiness. It is more powerful than the Mafia or the military. It has global catastrophic effects and can be found anywhere from the world's most powerful boardrooms to your local bar.
It is human stupidity.
Carlo M. Cipolla, noted professor of economic history at the UC Berkeley, created this vitally important book in order to detect and neutralize its threat. Both hilarious and dead serious, it will leave you better equipped to confront political realities, unreasonable colleagues, or your next dinner with your in-laws.
The Laws:
1. Everyone underestimates the number of stupid individuals among us.
2. The probability that a certain person is stupid is independent of any other characteristic of that person.
3. A stupid person is a person who causes losses to another person while deriving no gain and even possibly incurring losses themselves.
4. Non-stupid people always underestimate the damaging power of stupid individuals.
5. A stupid person is the most dangerous type of person.
Editions of The Basic Laws of Human Stupidity
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780385546478
- EBook
- ISBN 9780385546485
- AudioStreaming
- ISBN 9780593293270
- AudioStreaming
- ISBN 9780593293287
Read an Excerpt
\"A masterly book\" —Nassim Nicholas Taleb, author of The Black Swan
\"A classic\" —Simon Kuper, Financial Times
An economist explains five laws that confirm our worst fears: stupid people can and do rule the world
Throughout history, a powerful force has hindered the growth of human welfare and happiness. It is more powerful than the Mafia or the military. It has global catastrophic effects and can be found anywhere from the world's most powerful boardrooms to your local bar.
It is human stupidity.
Carlo M. Cipolla, noted professor of economic history at the UC Berkeley, created this vitally important book in order to detect and neutralize its threat. Both hilarious and dead serious, it will leave you better equipped to confront political realities, unreasonable colleagues, or your next dinner with your in-laws.
The Laws:
1. Everyone underestimates the number of stupid individuals among us.
2. The probability that a certain person is stupid is independent of any other characteristic of that person.
3. A stupid person is a person who causes losses to another person while deriving no gain and even possibly incurring losses themselves.
4. Non-stupid people always underestimate the damaging power of stupid individuals.
5. A stupid person is the most dangerous type of person.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Basic Laws of Human Stupidity about?
\"A masterly book\" —Nassim Nicholas Taleb, author of The Black Swan
\"A classic\" —Simon Kuper, Financial Times
An economist explains five laws that confirm our worst fears: stupid people can and do rule the world
Throughout history, a powerful force has hindered the growth of human welfare and happiness. It is more powerful than the Mafia or the military. It has global catastrophic effects and can be found anywhere from the world's most powerful boardrooms to your local bar.
It is human stupidity.
Carlo M. Cipolla, noted professor of economic history at the UC Berkeley, created this vitally important book in order to detect and neutralize its threat. Both hilarious and dead serious, it will leave you better equipped to confront political realities, unreasonable colleagues, or your next dinner with your in-laws.
The Laws:
1. Everyone underestimates the number of stupid individuals among us.
2. The probability that a certain person is stupid is independent of any other characteristic of that person.
3. A stupid person is a person who causes losses to another person while deriving no gain and even possibly incurring losses themselves.
4. Non-stupid people always underestimate the damaging power of stupid individuals.
5. A stupid person is the most dangerous type of person.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in The Basic Laws of Human Stupidity?
Lifestyle, Hobbies and Leisure > Humour > Humour collections and anthologies
Where can I read a sample of The Basic Laws of Human Stupidity?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780385546478
Who is/are the Author/s of the book The Basic Laws of Human Stupidity?
Carlo M. Cipolla
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
The Basic Laws of Human Stupidity is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780385546478) and ebook(ISBN 9780385546485) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9780593293270) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9780593293287)
Where can I buy The Basic Laws of Human Stupidity online or support local independent bookshops?
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Where can I buy The Basic Laws of Human Stupidity?