Items related to The Encyclopedia of Stupidity
Matthijs van Boxsel believes that no one is intelligent enough to understand their own stupidity. In The Encyclopędia of Stupidity he shows how stupidity manifests itself in all areas, in everyone, at all times, proposing that stupidity is the foundation of our civilization.
In short sections with such titles as ‘The Blunderers’ Club’, ‘Fools in Hell’, ‘Genealogy of Idiots’, and ‘The Aesthetics of the Empty Gesture’, stupidity is analysed on the basis of fairy tales, cartoons, triumphal arches, garden architecture, Baroque ceilings, jokes, flimsy excuses and science fiction. But Van Boxsel wants to do more than just assemble a ‘shadow cabinet’ of wisdom; he tries to fathom the logic of this opposite world. Where do understanding and intelligence begin and end? He examines mythic fools such as Cyclops and King Midas, cities such as Gotham, archetypes including the dumb blonde, and traditionally stupid animals such as the goose, the donkey and the headless chicken.
Van Boxsel posits that stupidity is a condition for intelligence, that blunders stimulate progress, that failure is the basis for success. In this erudite and witty book he maintains that our culture is the product of a series of failed attempts to comprehend stupidity.
In short sections with such titles as ‘The Blunderers’ Club’, ‘Fools in Hell’, ‘Genealogy of Idiots’, and ‘The Aesthetics of the Empty Gesture’, stupidity is analysed on the basis of fairy tales, cartoons, triumphal arches, garden architecture, Baroque ceilings, jokes, flimsy excuses and science fiction. But Van Boxsel wants to do more than just assemble a ‘shadow cabinet’ of wisdom; he tries to fathom the logic of this opposite world. Where do understanding and intelligence begin and end? He examines mythic fools such as Cyclops and King Midas, cities such as Gotham, archetypes including the dumb blonde, and traditionally stupid animals such as the goose, the donkey and the headless chicken.
Van Boxsel posits that stupidity is a condition for intelligence, that blunders stimulate progress, that failure is the basis for success. In this erudite and witty book he maintains that our culture is the product of a series of failed attempts to comprehend stupidity.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author:
Matthijs van Boxsel is a literary historian who lives in Amsterdam.
Review:
If there is one publication that qualifies for immortality and is also inexhaustible, it should be The Encyclopodia of Stupidity. Vrij Nederland Matthijs van Boxsel has collected the most fantastic facts and knows how to share with the reader his pleasure in doing so. NRC Handelsblad A superb collection of improbable follies, blunders, errors, stupidities and howlers. An uncommonly cheerful and exciting book. Elsevier
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherReaktion Books
- Publication date2005
- ISBN 10 1861892314
- ISBN 13 9781861892317
- BindingPaperback
- Number of pages208
- Rating
Buy New
Learn more about this copy
US$ 24.42
Shipping:
US$ 4.00
Within U.S.A.
Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace
Stock Image
The Encyclopedia of Stupidity
Published by
Reaktion Books
(2005)
ISBN 10: 1861892314
ISBN 13: 9781861892317
New
Paperback
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. New. Fast Shipping and good customer service. Seller Inventory # Holz_New_1861892314
Buy New
US$ 24.42
Convert currency
Stock Image
The Encyclopedia of Stupidity
Published by
Reaktion Books
(2005)
ISBN 10: 1861892314
ISBN 13: 9781861892317
New
Softcover
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: new. Seller Inventory # FrontCover1861892314
Buy New
US$ 24.41
Convert currency
Stock Image
The Encyclopedia of Stupidity
Published by
Reaktion Books
(2005)
ISBN 10: 1861892314
ISBN 13: 9781861892317
New
Paperback
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. New. Seller Inventory # Wizard1861892314
Buy New
US$ 25.43
Convert currency
Stock Image
The Encyclopedia of Stupidity
Published by
Reaktion Books
(2005)
ISBN 10: 1861892314
ISBN 13: 9781861892317
New
Paperback
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. Buy for Great customer experience. Seller Inventory # GoldenDragon1861892314
Buy New
US$ 27.16
Convert currency
Stock Image
The Encyclopedia of Stupidity Format: Paperback
Published by
University of Chicago press
(2005)
ISBN 10: 1861892314
ISBN 13: 9781861892317
New
Softcover
Quantity: > 20
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: New. Brand New. Seller Inventory # 1861892314
Buy New
US$ 29.52
Convert currency
Stock Image
The Encyclopedia of Stupidity
Published by
Reaktion Books
(2005)
ISBN 10: 1861892314
ISBN 13: 9781861892317
New
Softcover
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: New. Book is in NEW condition. Seller Inventory # 1861892314-2-1
Buy New
US$ 37.61
Convert currency
Stock Image
The Encyclopedia of Stupidity
Published by
Reaktion Books
(2005)
ISBN 10: 1861892314
ISBN 13: 9781861892317
New
Softcover
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: New. New! This book is in the same immaculate condition as when it was published. Seller Inventory # 353-1861892314-new
Buy New
US$ 37.62
Convert currency
Seller Image
Encyclopaedia Of Stupidity
Published by
Reaktion Books
(2005)
ISBN 10: 1861892314
ISBN 13: 9781861892317
New
Softcover
Quantity: 5
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 2394530-n
Buy New
US$ 34.99
Convert currency
Stock Image
The Encyclopedia of Stupidity
Published by
Reaktion Books
(2005)
ISBN 10: 1861892314
ISBN 13: 9781861892317
New
Paperback
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. New Copy. Customer Service Guaranteed. Seller Inventory # think1861892314
Buy New
US$ 52.38
Convert currency
Stock Image
The Encyclopedia of Stupidity
Published by
Reaktion Books
(2005)
ISBN 10: 1861892314
ISBN 13: 9781861892317
New
Paperback
Quantity: 2
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback. Condition: New. Brand New!. Seller Inventory # VIB1861892314
Buy New
US$ 60.24
Convert currency