Customer Reviews

"Dumbth": The Lost Art of Thinking

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

As an old fan of Steve Allen, I clearly remember his clever comedy and excellent wit from which many of today's hosts derive their ideas. This book shows a more serious side of Steve Allen who presents ways you can improve the quality of life in an easy to read manner, giving helpful examples. It's a self help book that doesn't read like a self help book. Although this book shows some of Steve's biases and strong personal opinions, I believe this book deserves a top rating for his contribution to helping us understand ourselves better. Read it with an open mind. As for the biases, Steve has the courage to put in writing some of who he is, whether we like it or not. It's an insight into the author as well.

It is often said that comedy serves the same role in society today that the court jester used to play in courts of old -- not just a person who helps to release tension and entertain, but also a prophetic voice, a truth-teller, someone who can deal with the unpleasantness of reality without becoming a threatening or problematic figure. Steve Allen definitely falls into the latter category -- while there is no question that Allen's talents in the entertainment field are considerable (he was the creator of the Tonight Show, which is still running, in addition to 'intelligent' shows such as 'Meeting of the Minds' for PBS), he brings an uncharacteristic intelligence to his productions (which includes more than 50 books, in addition the work in acting media).

Steve Allen coined the term 'Dumbth' for the earlier edition of this book. He speculates (in ways that might put professional educators to shame) on the level of ignorance and stupidity (not the same things) in society today. Allen was one of the originators of the 'Man in the Street' interview, asking such as questions as 'Would you vote for an acknowledged heterosexual?' and finding the most bizarre responses. Reality being twice as true but half as funny as most comedy, he highlights the difficulties children have with geography -- not only could half a class of children in Miami not find London on the map (and they thought the Falklands were off the English Coast, that Quebec was in Alaska, etc.) but also that eight percent of these kids -- in Miami, remember -- could not find Miami on the map...

After recounting tale after harrowing tale, Allen does something few comedians (and alas, sometimes few educators) do, and that is to suggest solutions! His earlier text suggested 81; in republication, Allen came up with 20 more solutions, for 101 in all. Some are simple logical propositions, well known to logicians and others trained in analytical reasoning -- beware of erroneous assumptions, drawing conclusions from insufficient evidence, etc. Others are more personal in nature -- not falling in love with the first answer, not looking for the easiest answer, not giving in to prejudice or superstition. Once could easily make a calendar out of these 101 rules, as they are each but a page or two in length, yet contain wisdom beyond common sense.

Rule 75 is perhaps the most important one -- it perhaps should be elevated to Rule 1 status. 'Stop thinking you "don't have time" to improve yourself.' This is good advice, not just for figuring out reasoning and intelligence skills, but for almost everything; the wise person will understand that there is time for the important things, and the designation 'important' is truly up to us.

Allen's warning in the final rule (be sceptical of the internet) as well as his concern about rationality and reason not being a cure-all (sometimes it is merely a placebo) deserve further treatment, alas, not from the great Allen himself, but perhaps some disciple shall. Allen states that sometimes the problem is not that people are not rational and reasonable, but rather too much so -- that they take the processes and results to such extremes that it becomes difficult to deal with; often this leads to another kind of problem of reason, the most insidious and difficult kind to deal with -- the problem of those who are correct.

An interesting text, a good and revealing trek through the state of current culture, done with humour and grace. This is not a text on logic, so don't go into it expecting such. Allen wraps much of his personal life and experience into his narrative, so do expect that -- Allen has lived an interesting life, and who among us hasn't seen the truly stupid taking place around us daily?

Steve Allen's thesis is sound and I agree very much with his idea that many Americans do not think as well as they could. He gives many good ideas about how to improve thinking in general, as well as discussing why it is important for everybody to continually learn throughout their lives and why children should be taught to think critically from an early age.

However, before you get to the 101 ways for improving your thinking, you must wade through chapters worth of Allen's seemingly endless, elitist personal anecodes, which, if I hadnt agreed with his thesis from the start, would have made me drop the book very quickly. Not to give too much away, one of Allens points is to avoid bias - he then goes on to expose one his own biases - that the only good musicians were from the 1920's, 30's and 40's and maybe from a few modern jazz musicians. He claims that modern music is a cause of some of the thinking malaise afflicting America right now as opposed to a symptom of it.I was very much annoyed by these double standards of the author. There are other annoying aspects of Allens writing but I wont go on.

Overall, I liked the 101 ways - if people just follow a few of them they would be more critical of the junk they encounter nowadays. If you can handle Allens writing this book could be very useful.

Mr. Allen has revised his wonderful original 1989 volume, Dumbth, in this 1998 version. Although it seems 80-90% of the material here is carried over from the original work, the points made are just as valid, if not more so, in 1999. Many instances of "dumbth" are outlined and described, to illustrate how badly thought and reason have eroded in our society. Mr. Allen then goes on to present 101 ways to better one's thinking and reasoning processes. This book is as superior as the original version. The complaints about this book would be: 1) The lack of modern, up to date examples of "dumbth" for the modern (young) reader. Most of the examples given are from the 1960's, 70's, or 80's. 2) The seemingly deliberate and always present "scapegoating" of former President Reagan and conservative individuals, often held up as THE primary examples of the points Mr. Allen is making in the book. While no one is perfect, a more balanced and reasoned approach would have presented this dire problem of dumbth we have as a society in an even-handed and fair manner. Even given my complaints, however, this book is still a remarkable read. I would suggest it for any and all people who seek to improve themselves, and their world.

For a book that presumes to teach us to think better, this is disappointing scholarship. Its flaws include: (1) It includes only an anecdotal diagnosis of the problem, that as a society we are getting dumber. Scientific American has recently documented an overall rise in IQ scores, though: does this mean we're really getting smarter? This book doesn't even approach this kind of discussion: there's no attempt at objective or statistical analysis, just a long string of anecdotes on egregiously dumb behavior that anyone has seen, which may or may not mean anything. It looks like this book was slapped together in three weeks, not surprising considering how prolific the author was. (2) The analysis of what's causing the problem is superficial. He mentions TV only briefly. It deserves more serious and detailed consideration, such as in Amusing Ourselves to Death, by Neil Postman. (3) The author fails to recognize that no matter how good the education system, it will still produce some dummies, and these people tend to be the ones with unglamorous jobs. One really ought to be kinder and more patient with these people than the author describes (e.g., in the incident when his room service help doesn't know what marmelade is). (4) The author gives 101 suggestions on how to get smarter, many of which are pretty good, but there is no summary, and no index. Their omission makes searching through such a long list too difficult for the book to be useful. This last problem is particularly thoughtless, since this book went through two editions. If you can afford only one book on critical thinking, get The Demon-Haunted World, by Carl Sagan.

In american education, self-esteem trumps knowledge. Grading students by achievement was replace by a system where EVERYBODY passes. Learning correct English was replace by "encouraging authentic speech". Learning "dead facts" replaced with "expressing your feeling" about the subject. This leads, says Steve Allen, to the production of a generation of people who are DUMBTH.

What IS "dumbth"? It is not just ignorance, although the ignorance of american students is appaling; it is contempt for knowledge as "elitist" and "snobbish". It is not just unjustifiably high self-exteem, it is the feeling that one's very existence gives one the right never to be spoken to "negatively" (i.e., criticized in any way). It is not just stupidity or lack of critical thinking skills, but the belief that feelings and impressions are somehow *better* than facts and logic in making decisions. It is not just lack of manners and civility, but the conviction that civilized behavior equal hypocricy, and that "expressing your feelings in your authentic words" is the way to speak to complete strangers. (Of course, *they* don't have the right to speak that way to *you* - that might hurt your all-important self-esteem.)

Mr. Allen, in his book, clearly exposes the many sad results of the dumbthing-down of the United States - the declining standards of the work ethic, civility, decency, and competence. He also tells us what to do against it - with 101 different things you can do to fight "dumbth" in yourself and in others. His book is both pessimistic and optimistic: pessimistic in its shocking revelations about the degree the U.S. has become "dumbth", and optimistic in its determination to do something about it.

If you are not afraid to learn the hard truth about dumbth america, and are willing to do something about it, this book is for you.

A book like _Dumbth_ is one sorely needed by modern society. Too bad it wasn't around 30 years ago, when it was needed even more!

Steve Allen is an excellent author, presenting his point clearly, concisely, and with plain language. Unlike Bloom's _The Closing of the American Mind_ and Gross's _Higher Superstition_, this book is intended for all people interested in saving civilization. Despite its mild leaning to the left, and other biases on Allen's part, it describes the "dumbth" epidemic quite fairly. Allen really takes aim at the various forms of the smug (and militant) "know-nothing" pop-culture attitude that place glamour, muscular stupidity, and faddishness above knowledge. Add to that academic anti-intellectuals with their political agendas.

People who deny or debase intelligence, reason, science, and technology are attacking civilization, and also humanity. Man is the only animal on this planet for whom all the above is as natural - and necessary - as breathing.

His suggestions are wise and can be put to good use. What some consider to be angry babble is nothing more than old fashion comedy. Those people seriously need to lighten up!

I've been a fan of Steve Allen's writing since the "Meeting of Minds" series in the 1980s, and was saddened and almost angry that he died and left us with one fewer candle in the darkness. I have the unhappy feeling, though, that this book is preaching to the choir; anyone who is likely to pick it up is probably already disheartened by the full-blown Dumbth-ridden society we live in. I'd love to give it as gifts to a few folks who could benefit, but they wouldn't be likely to read it (because they don't read, period) and wouldn't recognize themselves in it. I, however, recognize myself plenty in this book, and have resolved at the least to become more conscious of what I'm doing, thinking, and taking in. I was a bit put off by Allen's frequent referencing to his own works in the "101" ways" section, but not enough to put the book down.

My thoughts on this book are mixed. Generally, I think that this book has some useful, insightful and funny observations and theories about how to think well.

However, there is one glaring defect: Allen's irrational interaction with others. Perhaps in Allen's reading of human psychology, he missed the two most fundamental features of human thinking.

First, people almost all of the time are thinking only of themselves. What's that mean? Steve Allen is not the center of everyone's universe! They are! Allen practically expects people to drop everything to cater to him. For instance, a receptionist at the nerve center of a hotel is supposed to know everything about him. Guess what? The poor, underpaid receptionist has his/her phone ringing off the hook with hundreds of other Allens all of whom think that they're the most important people in the universe.

Second, nobody likes to be criticized. Nobody--including you, Steve. Would an intelligent person spin their wheels pointing out to someone that they had to repeat information or that their thinking is faulty? Only if you want to make them angry, unhelpful and waste your time. A smart person does what it takes to get the job done--maybe even repeating themselves. They don't waste their time with puerile games of intellectual posturing.

Here's something to think over. When one goes fishing, they bait the hook not with what they want to eat (in the case of Allen, marmalade jam) but with what the fish wants. If you want people to be cooperative, think about their perspective and how to give them what they want to accomplish your end. Typically, it's not all that difficult either. It can be as simple as being polite and complimenting them on doing something well rather than pointing out their faults.

But you can always bang your fists insisting that everyone stop to fetch your marmalade jam as if they care, but that's just dumbth.