In what may be the ultimate how-to book, Steve Allen addresses a social problem so pervasive that it may well be the cause of many others. The author's thesis started with observation of a sharp increase in instances of inefficiency.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Polymath Allen brings his considerable talents to bear on a phenomenon that is increasingly the concern of critics of contemporary Americans--the "unprecedented amount of mental incapacitation" in our society. Coining the word "dumbth" to describe common ignorance in significant categories of knowledge, he cites examples and incidents from his experience as an international traveler, citing also commentaries of educators, philosopher and sociologists. Instructive in a pleasing, popular way, he sketches distinctions between ignorance and stupidity, discusses the many aspects of what constitutes intelligence and recommends the teaching of reasoning in early school years. In a panoply of ways to improve the ability to reason, "rules" are laid out for readers of various levels, each illustrated with anecdotes and suggestions. Tempering missionary zeal with humor and humaneness, Allen addresses a sorry condition and, better yet, suggests solutions.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
"Dumbth" is the state of the Miami college students in geography who can't find Miami on the map, the people who send flowers to the funerals of soap-opera characters, and innumerable incompetent hotel clerks. Comedian and writer Allen, like Allan Bloom and others back to Plato, thinks stupidity is on the rise, and that what passes for education won't stem the tide. He finds this annoying and devotes much space to limousine companies that fail him at the airport, and other such occurrences. His solutions are chiefly better logic teaching and more common sense--awareness of the complexity of things, understanding of the nature of evidence, and even willingness to watch the news. Alas, no one has told him that the best logicians are troubled by the concept of evidence and find it hard to define simplicity. Still, though spleen outweighs Allen's usual intelligence and wit, readers will find entertaining anecdotes--and something to think about.
- Leslie Armour, Univ. of Ottawa
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.
- Leslie Armour, Univ. of Ottawa
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dumbth should be required reading for every adult.,
By cpang@lamis2.msmail.spe.sony.com (Burbank, California) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Dumbth and 81 Ways to Make Americans Smarter (Paperback)
"Dumbth" by Steve Allen is a frank look at the deteriation of efficiency and intelligence in our society and what can be done about it. This is one of the most important books I have ever read. The book assisted me in recognizing those areas in myself that require improvement and gave me concrete ways to work on it. I encourage people to read this book.
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