Customer Reviews

Principles of Applied Stupidity (How to Get and Do More by Thinking and Knowing Less)

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Justin Locke's Applied Principles of Stupidity sneaks into the field of self-improvement through the back window by re-examining long-held assumptions about how to be successful and happy. The book irreverently makes the ego a tool, rather than an obstacle and champions stupidity as a very effective method for using it.

Though packaged quite ingeniously, like all great ideas, POAS is really nothing new. Taoists and Zen Buddhists have long held it's our thinking that prevents us from achieving true enlightenment. I suspect Mr. Locke would be particularly fond of the Taoist concept of "wu wei". Even Christians have their version ie "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:2-6

POAS, however, uses humor to convey the message that if we let go of our need to project a certain image, we will be happier and make far greater gains than we could as slaves to our ego. And it goes one step further, advocating an awareness of other people's egos as a shortcut to success.

I found the book to be a very enjoyable read with some useful takeaways that I am already using. I truly appreciated the uncommon lens through which Mr. Locke allowed me to view common situations. (The anecdote he tells about his alcoholic bass instructor, was hilarious and very insightful.) I'm also grateful for the reassurance, in this stress filled time that we live in, that sometimes the best course of action is no action and that cultivating a playful and bold curiosity can provide an advantage in life that far outweighs years of schooling.

I absolutely loved this book. I sincerely can't say enough about it. I am very grateful that Justin Locke continued writing this book and didn't give into the self defeating negative self- talk that prevents some of us from accomplishing great things. It's amazing how much happier you can become once you remove the fear of looking stupid.

The author was the invited speaker at our Rotary luncheon recently, and based on his humorous talk, I bought this book. Well worth it.

Do you have a friend who always looks a bit odd; who says funny stuff even when they are not trying to; who you know does not balance his checkbook, but you would want them helping you in those worst pinches (at work or elsewhere)? That person is this book. It is wise in ways you can not put into words, and its laughing out loud fun to read too.

You'll have to simmer down your rule following left-brain when you read this though, it is a feast meant mostly for the right-brain non-conformist side struggling to get out of all of many of us. I found it best reading in little snatches (and its written for that.) The writing is rough, and uneven, but somehow that is part of the point of this book, because at its heart, this book walks its own talk. It does not have fancy editing, or formatting, and the author pretty much right-out tells you its because he ignored all of the rules for how one should write (and then publish) a book.

I wish this was the one book I was given as I entered the worst of my high-school years, and then again on that first job or two after college, when I was all so serious and afraid folks would figure out I was just as clueless as the next guy.

Are you the smart guy (or gal) in the office who can't seem to get ahead? Losing in the office politics arena? You might be in need of some stupid principles. Start by taking a look at how you define smart and stupid and see how you can learn from acting stupid. Reading through the book will change how you see smart, stupid, and who holds power and why it's the case. Looking for some extraordinarily intelligent comments about stupidity? You've found the right book then. It'll change the way you look at the world.

This book is so good.

I have begun applying the principles at my job and have found that I am enjoying my work 100 times more. Yes, one hundred times.

Justin Locke takes the reader through a journey of "unlearning" certain crippling tendencies of the rational mind, especially that of overanalysis, leading to nervousness, anxiety, and ultimately, paralysis. When we let go of our worry-based, "smartist" thoughts, and let our creative side come out, then we will do some things that most people consider "stupid" (out of the realm of their bell-curve idea of what is normal and acceptable), and in doing so, we will drastically increase our chances of success, happiness, and personal improvement.

Very humorous, with all sorts of cool anecdotes and inspiring quotes from very noteworthy sources. Reminded me of the Tao te Ching, in its central idea of "going dumb." Highly recommended.

The details given within this book provide the reader with an understanding of why the dumbest people seem to always be in leadership or management positions. My life has been full of situations where I wanted to "prove myself" to my bosses, so I would do as much as possible, thinking this would get me the recognition that I deserved. Unfortunately, I received recognition as a highly valuable "grunt", who would do everything while the manager could just sit back and goof off. Reading this book now that I'm in my 30's makes it a little annoying, because I could have benefited from it so much more in my early 20's, but there's always room to grow. Another aspect of the book that I really enjoy is the chapter relating to all the sub-points that weren't "chapterizable" - (I know, it's not a word, but I don't feel like taking the time to look up the appropriate term). There are some great life lessons in this chapter which should rival quotes from some of the greats, like Confucius, Nietzsche, or even Sylvester Stallone!

In all seriousness, if you are looking for all the answers, that's not the point of the book. The point is to have someone else figure out the answers for you while you're relaxing on the couch, or skydiving from an airplane, or sipping martini's in Cancun... It's stupidly easy to change your life... Read the book and you'll see that sometimes being stupid saves you so much more work and energy then being "smart" does.

A personal scenario I'm going through can be related to one of the sub-principles in the book. I fell for a woman, and the negative thoughts and feelings that have been dancing through my head since we separated have been playing havoc on my life in general. If I practice a little stupidity, and just stop thinking about it, then all that frustration goes away. What's the point of focusing on the past, when all we have is right now?

If anything I've said has made sense, I suggest you get this book. It's a fun read, and by the end you'll be thinking to yourself, "damn, I should have thought of that!".

If you're looking for a book that will get you to take action in your life and get over the negative self-talk and self-doubt that's stopping you, then I highly recommend you buy a copy of the Principles of Applied Stupidity. Not only might you have some eureka moments when reading it, but you'll enjoy the humorous and friendly writing style Justin uses to get his points across.

After reading the book I went out and bought several more copies to give out as gifts. They were hits from the moment the people I gave them to opened them up and started reading them.

Being stupid is not so sinister after all. The book just flows with some of the greatest principles I have ever been exposed to. I really like it. Now I feel I have greater joy and understanding of more things, never everthing.

This ranks on my bookshelf with "Parkinson's Laws", another humourous yet serious analysis of human individual and social behavior.

In addition to finding "Principles" witty and perceptive, I used it to real world effect during crucial business negotiations. After grudgingly acknowledging the power of applied stupidity, I not only adopted certain tactics but, more importantly, was able to inoculate myself against their use by others. My intellectual pride often precludes using "stupid" tactics, except of course with my spouse, as in: "Huh? I dunno. What? I didn't hear you. I don't wanna. Ok. Sorry, I forgot."

Another of Locke's postulates -on the virtues of being taught and inspired by incompetent practitioners verses accomplished & renowned masters- was perversely on the mark, in my own experience as both youthful and adult learner.

I am recommending this book to every smart person I know. Please, don't let anyone stupid know about it or they will continue to rule the world.

I was given this book by a close friend and at first glance, I thought it was being pawned off on me. My friend assured me, "Naw, you should read it, it's actually really good." It was a great read and I was fascinated by the stories of people who got ahead while the rest of us seem to wait in line believing there is a proper way to become successful. Even Speilberg just showed up on the Hollywood lot and pretended to be working...Wow, check it out....