Stupidity is 'one of the most powerful dark forces that hinder the growth of human welfare and happiness,' according to this tongue-in-cheek treatise originally published in a 1976 private edition. A stupid person is the most dangerous type of person. Non-stupid people always underestimate the damaging power of stupid individuals.ĥ. A stupid person is a person who causes losses to another person while deriving no gain and even possibly incurring losses themselves.Ĥ. The probability that a certain person is stupid is independent of any other characteristic of that person.ģ. Everyone underestimates the number of stupid individuals among us.Ģ.

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.ġ.

Cipolla, noted professor of economic history at the UC Berkeley, created this vitally important book in order to detect and neutralize its threat. It has global catastrophic effects and can be found anywhere from the world's most powerful boardrooms to your local bar.Ĭarlo M.

It is more powerful than the Mafia or the military. Throughout history, a powerful force has hindered the growth of human welfare and happiness. 'A classic' -Simon Kuper, Financial TimesĪn economist explains five laws that confirm our worst fears: stupid people can and do rule the world 'A masterly book' -Nassim Nicholas Taleb, author of The Black Swan

The basic laws of human stupidity book