Book Summaries
Chapter 6: Stupidity and Power (The Basic Laws of Human Stupidity)
The extent to which the stupid person is dangerous depends on two things, the genetic factor (the inheritance of exceptional doses of the gene of stupidity), and the position of power in society.
The extent to which the stupid person is dangerous depends on two things, the genetic factor (the inheritance of exceptional doses of the gene of stupidity), and the position of power in society.
Among bureaucrats, generals, politicians and heads of state one has little difficulty in finding clear examples of basically stupid individuals whose damaging capacity was (or is) alarmingly enhanced by the position of power ’which they occupied (or occupy). Religious dignitaries should not be overlooked.Carlo Cipolla, The Basic Laws of Human Stupidity
YARPP List
Related posts:
- Chapter 7: The Power of Stupidity (The Basic Laws Of Human Stupidity)
- Chapter 4: The Third (And Golden) Basic Law (The Basic Laws of Human Stupidity)
- Chapter 8: The Fourth Basic Law (The Basic Laws Of Human Stupidity)
- Chapter 9: Macro Analysis and the Fifth Basic Law (The Basic Laws of Human Stupidity)
Keep Reading
Related Articles
Book Summaries
Race Against the Machine Summary (6.5/10)
Why has median income stopped rising in the US? Why is the share of population that is working falling so rapidly? Why are our economy and society are becoming more unequal? A popular explanation for these questions is technological stagnation (not enough inventions that bring pr
Book Summaries
Part 1: The Coquette (The Art of Seduction)
The ultimate art in seduction is delaying pleasure. Coquettes are masters at waiting, orchestrating constant movement between hope and frustration. They bait with the promise of reward (physical pleasure, happiness, power), but since it is elusive – it will make the target pursue it more intensely.
Book Summaries
Heterosexuality and Homosexuality Defined (Dominion)
*When Krafft-Ebing invented the word ’sadism’ to describe those who took erotic pleasure in inflicting pain, he was implicitly associating the Marquis with inquisitors such as Conrad of Marburg.
Book Summaries
The Stranger Summary (6/10)
The Stranger by Albert Camus. **Highlights** *All day long there was the thought of my appeal. I think I got everything out of it that I could. I would assess my holdings and get the maximum return on my thoughts. I would always begin by assuming the worst: my appeal was denied.