Безкрайността на човешката простотия

by Bob Fenster, Боб Фенстър

“Само две неща са безкрайни на този свят – вселената и човешката глупост. А за първото не съм особено сигурен.”
А. Айнщайн

Никога не целувайте гърмящи змии. Сложете си парашута, преди да скочите от самолета. Спускането с каяк по Ниагарския водопад не е здравословно.
Всички тези постулати очевидно са прости, но за съжаление изглежда, че нашият биологичен вид все пак си пада по целуването на гърмящи змии.

Безкрайността на човешката простотия е изключително забавен сборник от всички глупави неща, които хората правят. Част І : “Хроника на глупостта” разкрива в детайли невероятно идиотски човешки постъпки, класифицирани в различни области като политика, история, спорт, изкуство, наука и необмислени игрички със съдбата. Част ІІ : “ Всичко, което сте искали да знаете за глупостта, обаче сте прекалено умни за да попитате” разглежда последиците от човешката простотия и повдига отново въпроса, стар колкото самия свят, а именно: “ Има ли такова нещо като глупав въпрос?”. Част ІІІ : “Как да отглупеем” предлага иронични съвети как да избегнете попадането си във втория том на тази книга.

Седнете удобно, прочетете "Безкрайността на човешката простотия" и се насладете на откритието колко много по-умни сте всъщност в сравнение с всички останали глупаци по широкия свят.

Genres: Humor, Nonfiction, History, Comedy, Reference, Trivia, Historical

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Петър Стойков · Rating 2 out of 5]

Човешката простотия безспорно е безкрайна, но тая книга не е особено интересна. Представлява кратки (5-6 реда) описания на някакви случки, в които разни хора са се показали като дебили. Някои от случките са доста забавни, повечето не са, а някои са откровено неразбираеми и се чудиш какво им е "простото". Лошото е че са много накратко описани, с дължината на виц, което не ти дава никакви подробности дори да ги разкажеш като интересна история, за да развеселиш компания.

[Sunshine✰✰✰ · Rating 2 out of 5]

It started out ok. Each chapter full of stupid things done & said. Then it got to the point where the author was basically saying everyone is stupid so it doesn't matter. Overall, it just wasn't as funny as I expected it to be.

[Kristina Coop-a-Loop · Rating 1 out of 5]

So I was reading this last night and thinking, Duh! The Stupid History of the Human Race by Bob Fenster is a stupid book. It's one of those books commonly known as "bathroom books" (or is this an official category?). You pick it up to read while you're sitting on the toilet. Unfortunately for me, I don't have bathroom books. If this is an example of toilet reading, then I don't want any. First of all, Fenster provides no citations or even mentions how he came across these tidbits of stupidity (except for thanking his friend Marilyn in the Acknowledgments for sharing her library of stupid info with him). Did he research this stuff? If so, where? What's his source material? I mean, I know this is supposed to be a humorous look at stupid humans, but with no citations Fenster could just be pulling all these anecdotes from his ass. Second, after reading the first two chapters, I don't think many of the stories are examples of human stupidity. Poor judgment, lack of information, honest mistakes, and bad luck/bad timing are what most of these are. The story of teens playing with guns and then shooting themselves isn't a funny story about stupid kids. It's a tragic example of what happens way too often in gun-happy America: parents keep guns in the house, don't train kids to properly use and respect the weapons and kids fool around with them and someone is killed or seriously injured.

My irritation and lack of amusement continued with the second chapter about famous people and their stupidity. Again, I don't see any of them as funny and they aren't examples of stupidity and who knows if they are even factual? Fenster's list of artists and writers who killed themselves isn't ha ha funny either. Apparently they are hilariously stupid because they didn't understand that they couldn't create any more great works if they're dead. Making a list of artists who killed themselves because they are troubled by demons--the same demons that probably helped fuel their artistic output--is truly giggle-licious. Congrats on your obtuseness, Fenster.

So I decided I would not fall into Fenster's trap of being stupid by continuing to read his stupid book. I skipped to the end and read part 3: "How to Destupify" which is actually full of not too bad advice. Not that I think Fenster came up with all those nuggets himself, but it's the only part of the book worthy of reading. Am I taking this book too seriously? Yes, yes I am. But it's not amusing at all. It comes across as mean-spirited, nasty, judgy, and again--no citations or even the vaguest proof that the man did any kind of research and that anything in the book is at all factual.

Throwing this in the box and moving on to my next DNF review.

[John Makantasis · Rating 1 out of 5]

Όχι, όχι ποτέ! Είναι από τα βιβλία που δεν χρειάζονται να διαβαστούν. Καλύτερα να διαβάσεις τις οδηγίες χρήσης της ηλεκτρικής κουζίνας, πολύ πιο εποικοδομητικό.

[Pamela(AllHoney) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great bathroom read. A collection of stories that show just how absolutely stupid that some people have been throughout history.

Wow, people are stupid.

[Carol Jones-Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never kiss a rattlesnake. Put on the parachute before jumping from the plane. Don't bring your dog along if you're going to rob a bank. These seem like obvious enough strategies but, unfortunately, we seem to be a race of rattlesnake kissers.

Duh! The Stupid History of the Human Race is a hilarious collection of the stupid things that people do-even the really smart people. "Part 1: The Stupid Chronicles" details the unbelievably idiotic things people have done, organized by such topics as politics, history, sports, arts, science, and dumb plays in the face of fate. "Part 2: Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Stupidity but Were Too Smart to Ask" looks at the track record of human stupidity in all its dumb glory. And "Part 3: How to Destupify" offers tongue-in-cheek advice on how to avoid ending up in a future edition of the book.

Yes, indeed, this particular title caught my eye when I was browsing on the Humor shelves. I took a look at the back description, and then flipped through the first few sections, and I then decided it was definetly worth a read! This author, who I'd never heard of before, has done an incredibly excellent job in documenting Humanity's dumb doings, from the modern age, to politics, the military, sports, science, crime, and all of the foolish and crazy historical figures that have contributed to all of history's stupidity. Admittedly, I found that I could not read this all at once, it took a period of a few weeks to absorb this tome, and take it all in and really enjoy it. Eventually, it was worth it. To tell the truth, I found this book really entertaining. Buy it for yourself sometime, you'll find that logic doesn't dictate it and declare it to be so, it's based on, yes, that's right, sheer stupidity! Hey, if you can't figure something out, just laugh at the absurdity of it all, right? But, you know, DUHHHH, that's just the way I feel! You know about some of those other things you read or watch, and that you can just feel the intelligence gradually drain from your being? No concern about that here! You'll get smarter from reading this! Hey, that's the truth! Would I lie?

This is a book that is one that one collects to help us giggle and laugh and just have a doggone good time. SMILE and enjoy yourself. Get the best out of this book by laughing and having a great time!!!

[Emanuella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Иронична колекция от факти за глупостта и издънките в историята на човечеството. Има любопитни неща, но и дразнещи. И все пак е добър сборник на простотиите. Остава и да се поучим от тях :р

[Jonathon · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, interesting read. It should be noted, however, that this book should be read with humor in mind, and with a grain of salt. One of the things mentioned early in the book spoke of a woman who threatened to hold her breath till she died if the police didn't release her. It then states that she did, and she died. However, it is impossible to do so, as if you actually are able to hold your breath long enough that you pass out, your body will automatically start breathing on your own, thus negating the whole thing. Either way, good enough that I required another of his to read.

[tony dillard jr · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is presented in 3 parts. The opener was what I was looking for when I bought it. You get dozens of accounts of people doing stupid things. From politicians to celebrities. From athletes to everyday Joes and Joans. There's are a ton of boo-boos here. It's comforting to know that other people make mistakes and fail just like I do. But who are we kidding? It's also entertaining.

When author Fenster presents the facts, he's great. You really can visualize the chaotic episodes. But Fenster also likes to add his own personal comments to the accounts. Some exposition is warranted; like the times he crosses the international dateline to tell about how someone from a foreign culture made a big mistake. What might seem normal to us American readers is taboo overseas and it's needed for Fenster to explain why such and such's faux pas was a big deal in Thailand, Egypt or wherever. But sometimes, the author gets really preachy and it's rather annoying.

This occurred ad nauseam in the second section where the author has an invisible interviewer question him about why the human race is so dumb and is it correctable. Fenster really harks on how humanity has developed planes that shoot missiles from miles away at innocent people. I agree, this is not one of humanity's finest moments. Neither was the creation of nuclear bombs and the misuse of the media as crowd control (or bread and circuses- depending on your view) for the populace. The author spent about 60 pages on his manifesto of human stupidity. But he only used the same 4 or 5 examples to prove his thesis. And honestly, I don't think he really proved his point. Fenster tries to answer a question about if followers of religion are dumb or not and he tries so hard to give an answer without upsetting anyone. I wonder if Fenster ever thought about becoming a politician...

The last section, also the smallest, was a decent read. Fenster gives 62 tips on how to be smarter and in a way, more productive. While many of the author's tips seemed a bit far fetched, I liked the examples of noted people who lived in such a way to become successes. Also, I appreciated how he praised those of us who practice a skilled trade as being vital parts of society.

The stupid things were enjoyable. The diatribe about how we're all stupid was uh, well, stupid. But I liked the listicle on how to be smarter. My advice, skip the middle section.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

The back cover purports this book to be "a hilarious collection of the stupid things that people do." That's partially true. So you start this book thinking it's going to be funny. However, halfway through the first section (the part about the funny things people have done, most of which actually are funny), the author's editorial comments about "stupid" things people do become extreme forms of social commentary about war, racism, etc. (which, yes, they are stupid things to do, but not exactly funny).

In the next section, which is supposed to be the author answering questions about stupidity, is basically the author slamming everything mankind has ever done as stupid beyond belief and reiterated almost nihilistic assertions that nothing mankind has created or discovered will even amount to anything because it all gets turned to something bad (i.e., hospitals turn into prison-esque nursing home, better transportation becomes traffic jams, better buildings become alienation from our neighbors, etc.). The funny has long since left the building.

The last section is supposed to contain "tongue-in-cheek advice" on how to stop being stupid; it actually reads like a self-help book that contradicts everything he said in the second section and, several times, contradicts itself. He says we are supposed to find what we love and are good at and focus on that. Yet he also says we are supposed to "do what you haven't done before." He says we should read more; yet, earlier in the book, he stated that no one reads anymore because we are all watching television. Given the mood he has set with his comments in section one and the entirety of section two, I wasn't sure if he was being serious or if he was trying to be humorous, in which case, the last section becomes even more depressing than the second section.

I won't say it's a bad book, because the first section is funny for the most part and takes up 3/4 of the book. Maybe stop before you get to section 2?

[YHC · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was combined with 2 parts, first with countless funny human stupidity stories/ history...including the governments, politicians, religions, ads, celebrities, inventions...etc.
Second part was short with 62 advice to avoid being stupid .....i laughed a lot while reading this book, when we think we are not stupid, the fact is we are just less smart, or unknowing we are actually stupid. That is why we should not be too proud and we should keep learning to avoid trapping all long long to be TOO stupid.

Wonder why we are alone in this universe? Maybe the answer should be: are we worth contacting?? LOL.

[Timmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Duh by Bob Fenster was about different types of stupid things that people have done all throughout recorded history. I thought this was a very funny book and laughed at a lot of the different things that actually happened. Although I thought it was a funny book, I did not like how many scenarios were similar to others. It kind of was a broken record at certain points. I would recommend this book to people who get tired of reading long conventional books because the stories are very short and have very good humor to them.

[Rob Epler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty much a book of trivia, entertaining & a bit jaded (if the title doesn't make that obvious). Nice to be able to pick it up any time, & not have to remember, say, plot points or characters. So I picked away at it over the course of half a year or so.

[Abraham Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice bathroom reading book!

[Adam Foster · Rating 1 out of 5]

Badly written, preachy and he gets quite a few facts wrong. Not bad for a bathroom reader, but its not good either.

[Debbie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring. Got old very fast. Did not finish reading.

[Iva Ivanova · Rating 1 out of 5]

Seriously?! 😤

[Eli]

One of those books that has, unfortunately, been made obsolete by the Internet. Reading Snopes, the Darwin Awards, and Oddly Enough News is better than the book in that those sites are kept updated.

[Kyriaki Gkourgkouli · Rating 3 out of 5]

que funny

[Sebastien · Rating 4 out of 5]

J'étais en visite a montréal et pendant un temps mort on est passé au Méga HMV où j'ai trouver ce livre pour 5$. Piqué dans ma curiosité j'ai décidé de l'acheter. Je vous dirais que pour un bon 65% du livre c'est du bonbon, le reste laisse un peu a désiré et la fin est un peu poche.

Les 100 premières pages du livre sont des anecdotes qui sont vraiment arrivé et on peut dire que des colons y'en a eu sur terre. Ces anecdotes se dévore en 2 temps 3 mouvements. J'en ai ri au larme pour certaines anecdotes et l'auteur a fait un beau compilé d'actes de stupidité dure a croire mais vraie.

La suite fait des description plus complète d'événements où la stupidité a eu que trop de place et l'auteur écrit sur plusieurs sujets sous forme d'éditoriaux. Bien que moins délicieux que les anecdotes, cette section était très intéressante.Les

Les 2 dernières section sont un peu moins intéressante. Surtout la fin où l'auteur répond à des questions fictives comme un scientifique, mais n'arrive pas à formuler ses réponse de manière aussi intelligente que le début de son livre et laisse croire qu'il dit n'importe quoi. La plupart des réponses sont forcé et manque de fini ou voir même de sens lier à un livre sur la stupidité. En fait si le concept c'est finir le livre de manière stupide, il a réussi, car la fin je l'ai trouvé longue et loin d'être intéressante. Comme si l'auteur avait manqué de jus.

En résumé, si vous trouvé ce livre pour 5$ et moins, je vous le recommande pour passé le temps ou pour les anecdotes du début du livre. Juste cette partie vaut la valeur complète du livre. Sinon la fin gâche un peu le bonbon qu'on a dégusté au début.

Recommandé pour les gens qui aime rire des gens stupide.

[Remo · Rating 1 out of 5]

Perdónenme, estimados lectores. Háganse a la idea. Lector obsesivo-compulsivo. Viaje en avión inminente, unas horas por delante y, por un error técnico a la hora de hacer la maleta, a los dos libros que van en la mochila les quedan menos de cincuenta páginas. Hay que comprarse otro libro para aguantar el viaje. Y claro, en el quiosquillo de la estación no hay mucho donde elegir. Descartadas las novedades a 27 eurazos, quedan los libros del fondo. Y ese es el motivo por el que hoy hablo de una bazofia de libro como este. Porque no pude encontrar otra cosa.
El libro pretende narrar historias reales en las que alguno de los protagonistas comete una o más estupideces. Una especie de premios Darwin, aunque no siempre haya riesgo de muerte. Pero la calidad del libro es ínfima. Un frotis de los detritus de cualquier suelo de alcantarilla pútrida nos proporcionaría material de mejor calidad que este libro. Baste decir que en las primeras páginas ya nos encontramos al menos cinco leyendas urbanas desmentidas por Snopes que el autor da por ciertas. Y lo peor es que cree (el autor) que tiene sentido del humor, con lo cual nos regala comentarios jocosillos en cada historia. En fin, no puedo seguir. Pongo el libro porque me lo he leido, para mi desgracia. En mi descargo diré que estaba deseperado y tenía que leer algo, tras repasar doce veces la revista de Iberia. Mi nota: ¡No! ¡Por Dios! ¡No lo compres!

[Justin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Duh! started out enjoyably enough, with some genuinely funny little anecdotes about stupid things people have done throughout the years--sort of a light version of the Darwin Awards. But gradually, Fenster starts getting almost preachy, adding snide little comments at the end of some accounts that break the overall lighthearted tone. Go a bit further, and he starts making light of dictators violently silencing their opposition, and things of that nature. I'm not a prude by any means, but that still seems in bad taste.

Things get worse, when you finally get to part two...which is a full 75% through the book. It's as if Fenster ran out of factoids, and realized the page count wasn't long enough, so he felt he had to spend the next 45 pages "enlightening" the world as to how stupid it is. This part was incredibly tedious and dogmatic, and the even shorter part three was only marginally more readable.

There are some chuckle-worthy bits to Duh! (mostly early on), but by and large, you'd be better-served reading one of those Top Ten lists on Cracked, or a similar website. Chances are, you'll get more enjoyment out of it.

[Sebastian Cruz · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book is actually very well made. It contains random facts about history and is actually a funny type of book. it contains very humorous pieces of text such as quotes, facts about culture, music, inventions and other things such as the military. They take random facts and put it in a humorous way. i recommend this book to people who like to laugh and enjoy a nice book that can make you laugh but also learn at the same time.

[Paul Szydlowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

A silly bathroom reader, except...in reviewing the stupid brutality of various revolutions (we're looking at you, France and Russia), this frivolous book makes the astute observation that the U.S. colonies avoided such stupidity because the revolution wasn't by the poor. Rather, it was by the rich who didn't want to overturn society, just shake up who was in charge. Besides, they didn't want to ruin their own good thing. Proof that insight can be gleaned anywhere if one simply looks for it.

[Pam Fullem · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started out as entertaining collection of ironic and silly facts. The end of the book was absolutely depressing. The author seems so cynical and pessimistic that it was hard to get through. Part Three was a little better talking about things you can do improve your life. Seems like the book had two personalities, so I suggest skipping Part Two.

[Zoya Dimitrova · Rating 2 out of 5]

Поредица от истории за "подвизите" на човешката мисъл и висотите, които може да достигне. Ако не беше края на книгата, бих я сметнала като сборник от вицове и смешни истории. Но авторът успява да прозре доста истини и да направи не толкова забавни умозаключения за човешката раса като цяло. А най-хубавото са съветите, с които завършва книгата.

[Gimena Reche · Rating 1 out of 5]

Este libro es bastante tonto, lo que en sí es algo irónico viendo de qué trata... Tiene un humor muy yanqui, del cual no disfruté para nada. Su intensión es ser gracioso pero no lo consigue. Es casi como un chiste mal contado, sólo que las historias que aquí se cuentan son, supuestamente, verídicas, lo que hace de este libro algo un poco más atroz. Por lo menos no costó más de diez pesos.

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book is a compilation of many examples of human stupidity. it ends with a chapter on how not to be so stupid.

i appreciated the ironic/sarcastic tone that allowed me to shrug my shoulders and laugh at how ridiculous people can be.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A hilarious impulse buy. I'm not sure how reliable some of the stories are, but they are still wonderful bathroom reads.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son gave this to me as a gift. It's hilarious, yet sad, reading.