• Quick note - the problem with Youtube videos not embedding on the forum appears to have been fixed, thanks to ZiprHead. If you do still see problems let me know.

Are the "Dummies" books going a tad overboard?

bozman

Muse
bozman
Joined
Dec 3, 2005
Messages
504
dumm.png


Is it just me or the folks who make these "dummies" books going a bit too far?
 
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 :)
 
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
 
Last edited:
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
 
"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?
 
theprestige said:
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?
Click to expand...

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.
 
bozman said:
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.
Click to expand...

How big of a dummie must one be to fail at silliness?
Phsyically speaking, of coarse.
 
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.
 
My daughter and I got the giggles in a bookshop when faced with "Tarot for Dummies". The assistant agreed with us...
 
bozman said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
ISTR seeing one "Betting on the horses for Dummies"... It had several hundred pages, when only one would be sufficient. :)
 
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.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top Bottom