Are the "Dummies" books going a tad overboard?

[bozman]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/bozman007/dumm.png

Is it just me or the folks who make these "dummies" books going a bit too far?

[Her Dark Star]

In what sense? From their point of view they're going to print anything they can make money from. Quantum physics is bandied about a lot in the media these days so probably a lot of people wouldn't mind knowing a little about it without trying to wade through the heavy stuff. Could probably find most of it out with google though :)

[bozman]

I'm just saying that if you're studying Quantum Physics, you're probably not a "dummy." At least not the same caliber of dummy as the one reading "Algebra for Dummies." That's all. :D

[John Jones]

It might mkae a good refresher book for those who studied quantum mechanics years ago.

[HansMustermann]

I don't think they mean "Dummies" literally. "X for dummies" has just become an expression with a meaning of its own, rather than something pejorative.

Well, that's what I'm telling myself anyway. Otherwise I'd worry more about the link on Mod The Sims that says "Downloading for fraking idiots" :p

[theprestige]

"An Overview of the Subject Matter for Non-Subject-Matter Experts Who Would Nevertheless Like to Have the First Clue About WTH is Going On".

Who cares what they call it, so long as the overview is both accurate and accessible?

I mean, it's not like anybody is arguing that a basic comprehension of the simpler concepts of quantum physics should be restricted only to the elite of theoretical-physics research.

Why not "Quantum Phsyics for Dummies"? Would the world be improved in some way if people didn't have the opportunity to read such a work?

[bozman]

Why not "Quantum Phsyics for Dummies"? Would the world be improved in some way if people didn't have the opportunity to read such a work?

No need to get defensive there, dumby. My point was more along the lines of 'if you can study quantum physics, then you're probably no dumby,' right? Just an attempt at silliness, that's all.

[rjh01]

I think the dummy's books are meant to be as basic as possible.

[GrouchoMarxist]

No need to get defensive there, dumby. My point was more along the lines of 'if you can study quantum physics, then you're probably no dumby,' right? Just an attempt at silliness, that's all.

How big of a dummie must one be to fail at silliness?
Phsyically speaking, of coarse.

[bozman]

How big of a dummie must one be to fail at silliness?
Phsyically speaking, of coarse.

About 6'3," I'd say.

[Dorian Gray]

I cried because I was a dummy until I met a man who was a complete idiot.

[GrouchoMarxist]

I cried because I was a dummy until I met a man who was a complete idiot.

There is someone for everyone.
I'm getting misty...

[TubbaBlubba]

I seriously doubt it's possible to make a quantum physics for dummies book, it's a too complex subject and if you're simplifying it you're probably teaching things that are plain wrong.

Well, unless we're talking about this kind of quantum physics:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0c5yClip4o

I love this clip.

[Pikachu]

My daughter and I got the giggles in a bookshop when faced with "Tarot for Dummies". The assistant agreed with us...

[Kaylee]

No need to get defensive there, dumby. My point was more along the lines of 'if you can study quantum physics, then you're probably no dumby,' right? Just an attempt at silliness, that's all.

I hear what you're saying bozman, and I agree.

But I think that the "Dummy Books" were always marketed tongue in cheek. After all, anyone who is geniunely interested in learning isn't really a dummy -- even if they are unfortunately misguided enough to want to learn about tarot cards (re above post).

FWIW, at first I thought you had photoshopped the jpeg. I was very surprised when I saw that it was a geniune title for sale.

[TheSkepticCanuck]

After seeing "Sex for Dummies" for sale, nothing in the "for Dummies" line of books surprises me any more.

[GrouchoMarxist]

After seeing "Sex for Dummies" for sale, nothing in the "for Dummies" line of books surprises me any more.

Acoustic Guitar for Dummies includes a guitar...

[I Ratant]

ISTR seeing one "Betting on the horses for Dummies"... It had several hundred pages, when only one would be sufficient. :)

[NotJesus]

After seeing "Sex for Dummies" for sale, nothing in the "for Dummies" line of books surprises me any more.


Stick it in. If she says, "Ow!" you're probably in the wrong hole. Back up and try again.

[dudalb]

SOme of the Dummies books are really intended as a sort of "Cliff Notes" for the topics.
"LOgic for Dummies" for instance, is basically a quick review and reference for Symbolic Logic classes.

[Alareth]

I don't know, the title of this one seems appropriate (http://www.dummies.com/store/product/Homeschooling-For-Dummies.productCd-0764508881.html)

[gabeygoat]

i think it's fine. not everyone can be a specialist. i enjoy reading about quantum physics, but i'll never be a physicist. that doesn't mean i shouldn't learn anything about it at all.

[TubbaBlubba]

i think it's fine. not everyone can be a specialist. i enjoy reading about quantum physics, but i'll never be a physicist. that doesn't mean i shouldn't learn anything about it at all.

If you actually want to LEARN something about quantum physics I suggest you read some of Feynman's litterature.

[gabeygoat]

If you actually want to LEARN something about quantum physics I suggest you read some of Feynman's litterature.

have, and love it! he's a bit full of himself, but also well spoken and funny

[Sideroxylon]

have, and love it! he's a bit full of himself, but also well spoken and funny

Add charismatic, effective educator, Nobel Prize winner but I see justified self confidence instead of full of himself.

Watch him here courtesy of Mr. Gates' generosity:
www.research.microsoft.com/apps/tools/tuva/index.html

[TubbaBlubba]

have, and love it! he's a bit full of himself, but also well spoken and funny

Excellent, I'm currently making my way through Lectures on Physics vol. 1.


Sideroxylon: Oooooooooooh, amazing, I'm lyrical over that.

[TragicMonkey]

I quite enjoyed Writing "for Dummies" Books for Dummies.

In the acknowledgments the author admitted to using Writing "Writing 'for Dummies' Books for Dummies" for Dummies.

[AdMan]

I don't know, the title of this one seems appropriate (http://www.dummies.com/store/product/Homeschooling-For-Dummies.productCd-0764508881.html)

Personally, I think this one (http://www.dummies.com/store/product/The-Bible-For-Dummies.productCd-0764552961.html) is quite appropriate as well.

I think I might enjoy the one on quantum physics, however.

[Ladewig]

In a galaxy far, far, away....

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4134/4792765735_7451955a24.jpg

[KingMerv00]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/bozman007/dumm.png

Is it just me or the folks who make these "dummies" books going a bit too far?

Is that the new cover for "The Secret"?

[LibraryLady]

I dislike the "Dummies" and "Idiots" books, although many of them are actually quite good.

Every time I recommend one to a patron, I feel like I'm calling him or her names. I apologize and assure them I do not think they are stupid.

Surely they could have thought of a less insulting title. :(

[patchbunny]

I made this one as part of an MST3K fan production.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v728/patchbunny/LJ%20Posting/idiots1.jpg

[P.J. Denyer]

Same vein as above, but I got very funny looks when 'Astrology for Dummies' had me laughing out loud in a Liverpool bookshop.

[technoextreme]

I seriously doubt it's possible to make a quantum physics for dummies book, it's a too complex subject and if you're simplifying it you're probably teaching things that are plain wrong.

Well, unless we're talking about this kind of quantum physics:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0c5yClip4o

I love this clip.
How the hell is it too complex? It isn't that difficult of a subject to the point where even I have contemplated doing something similar.

[Roboramma]

I seriously doubt it's possible to make a quantum physics for dummies book, it's a too complex subject and if you're simplifying it you're probably teaching things that are plain wrong.


How is this not a simplification of the subject for laymen:

[bozman]

I don't know, the title of this one seems appropriate (http://www.dummies.com/store/product/Homeschooling-For-Dummies.productCd-0764508881.html)

lol Great find. There must be quite a few of these I've never seen. I'll have to look around the site more.

[TubbaBlubba]

How is this not a simplification of the subject for laymen:

Heh, fair enough.


On the other hand, he invented the diagrams he uses to demonstrate it, so he can do whatever he wants to with them.


What I'm opposed to is the enormous amount of media teaching patent nonsense as "quantum physics". You could put it this way, I suppose - Any decent lecture on quantum physics (beyond being nonsense) should leave the student not understanding.

[Almo]

I seriously doubt it's possible to make a quantum physics for dummies book, it's a too complex subject and if you're simplifying it you're probably teaching things that are plain wrong.

Well, unless we're talking about this kind of quantum physics:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0c5yClip4o

I love this clip.

:boggled:

Thanks for lowering my IQ.

[Azimer the Mad]

Speaking of Feyman...

""If you think you understand quantum mechanics, you don't understand quantum mechanics."

Seemed appropriate for the topic.:D

[MrBooglemaumau]

Same vein as above, but I got very funny looks when 'Astrology for Dummies' had me laughing out loud in a Liverpool bookshop.
I asked our local library if they had "Oyster sexing for Dummies",they didn't have THAT one.

[NWO Sentryman]

Is there a time cube for dummies out yet?

[luchog]

One of my personal favorites (http://godzillasmash.deviantart.com/art/Necronomicon-for-Dummies-99954982) -- note: may destroy your sanity.
Another of my favorites (http://i65.servimg.com/u/f65/14/85/76/49/4chanf10.jpg) -- note: will destroy your sanity.

[TubbaBlubba]

Another of my favorites (http://i65.servimg.com/u/f65/14/85/76/49/4chanf10.jpg) -- note: will destroy your sanity.

OH GOD NO

WHY

WHY

WHY

This sadly reflects the current status of 4chan.

[NWO Sentryman]

Breaches of Rules 1 and 2 in literature? Then, Thou hast lost an eighth! :mad:

[luchog]

This sadly reflects the current status of 4chan.

You are aware it's a parody, and that no such book actually exists?

Or maybe it's part of the cancer killing /b/. :D

[TubbaBlubba]

You are aware it's a parody, and that no such book actually exists?

Or maybe it's part of the cancer killing /b/. :D

I was somewhat frightened for a moment, to be honest, but lated declared the credibility of its existance dubious.

Nevertheless, the fact that anyone went out of their way to create it...

Also, it's impossible to kill /b/, it never was anything. The problem is that the entire site is /b/ now.

[luchog]

Also, it's impossible to kill /b/, it never was anything. The problem is that the entire site is /b/ now.

"The cancer killing /b/" is a long-running meme on the site. It's a joke, like pretty much everything else there.

[TubbaBlubba]

Yes, but it's used in reference to the idea that /b/ was somehow once worth visiting. Of course, everything morphs and deforms rather rapidly whenever anonymous gets their hands on it.

A friend of mine once said; "4chan was nice when it was about smart people pretending to be stupid teenagers. Now they've been replaced by actual stupid teenagers."

[luchog]

Yes, but it's used in reference to the idea that /b/ was somehow once worth visiting. Of course, everything morphs and deforms rather rapidly whenever anonymous gets their hands on it.

Anyone who thinks 4chan /b/ was ever worth visiting never actually spent time there.

[dudalb]

OH GOD NO

WHY

WHY

WHY

This sadly reflects the current status of 4chan.

It's the inevitable status of 4chan. What else can you expect from a board where anything goes,given what basic human nature is like?

[ZirconBlue]

The ". . . For Dummies" books typically give a very good introduction and overview to a topic. Often, I'll say something like "I wish they had a 'Music Theory for Dummies" book, only to find out that it actually does exist.

[MLH1138]

I have a couple of "Dummies" books - Statistics for Dummies and Calculus for Dummies - which I've found very useful. I've never studied either subject formally and don't have the time now for adult education classes, but as a basic grounding and jumping off point I've found both very good.

[uruk]

I prefere the " X for the Brain Dead" series of books. More my speed.