The gang of the stupid is not organized and is without a chief. Animals also face predicament, but humans have an added headache of stupid humans. Humans share the chain of existence with animals. There will always remain much to be desired in the conditions of humans. Human affairs have always been far from perfect. There is nothing new about the fact that human affairs are in a mess. Understanding these laws will make us more aware about the issue. Stupidity puts a brake on progress, and it hampers the growth of economy. Stupidity is real and it causes immense damage. A stupid person is one who causes harm, and discomfort to other/s without gaining anything for her/himself is called stupid. What is stupidity? Whom can we call stupid? What is the standard definition? Cipolla gives us a gem of an answer, erudite, logical and acceptable. The number always exceeds any logical estimation. There will always be more stupid people than one thinks. There is no need to be emotional about it because stupidity is a real problem, and it is a huge problem. An objective analysis of stupidity is revealing and refreshing. All of us have been so hammered with 'pity', 'compassion' and 'kindness' dogmas that we hardly ever dare to talk about one of the biggest human problems called stupidity. Apparently, it may appear like a work of satire, but it is not so. It is now considered a classic in its own right. Cipolla (1922-2000) first published his long essay The Basic Laws of Human Stupidity in 1976.

The basic laws of human stupidity book