Carlo Maria Cipolla (1922 - 2000) was an Italian economic historian who was a professor at Berkeley University and the Ecole Normale Supérieure of Pisa.
I had heard of the book by Carlo M. Cipolla early 90s Released originally in 1976 American edition, he had just come out in Italy (1988) under the title Allegro ma non troppo, and I was noted the reference in my notebook hoping one day to read in French. Now it turns out he has just been translated, that I found in my mailbox a few days ago and I could finally cross it off my list of books to read. Like what, good things come to those who wait for.
The book is not thick, it is a short essay of about sixty pages trying to theorize human stupidity evaluating its impact on our personal destinies as well as on society as a whole. Under airs of scientific approach to support graphics, no figures or no sources are cited studies because it is especially the humor that characterizes this work as evidence the first line of text "Humanity is in trouble. This is not new, though. "
Then the author will strive to prove that all our troubles are caused, human stupidity, a cause in which there is no escape because whatever the category of the population considered (ethnic, geographical, socio-cultural etc.) the percentage of stupid people is always equal. For his study he divides humanity into four main categories (morons, intelligent people, bandits and stupid beings) which it takes five laws: 1 All of us underestimate the amount of stupid individuals 2- circulation is found the same proportion of stupid individuals in any social group whatever 3- Is stupid one who wronged another or others without deriving any benefit for himself or for suffer a loss 4- Individuals who are not stupid undervalue always the potential harmfulness of stupid people and commit too often the major mistake of treating or associate with them 5- The stupid person is more dangerous the bandit.
I guess that is preparing to lift a finger to ask "But what is the difference between an idiot and stupid? "The idiot does not harm only to himself, answered learnedly Mr Cipolla.
Now we come to my mind, I smiled reading this book, but I admit I was slightly disappointed. As I said at the beginning of this column, I waited for more than twenty years this book, then put in the light of this expectation is far too short in length and depth, to satisfy myself fully. My advice 'not really honest' read this book in a bookstore (sixty pages only) which will make you profit and with the money, buy another book to reconcile with your morality.
"We also remember certain incidents in which an individual has made an action that resulted in a loss for itself and a gain for us: we were dealing with a moron. We remember cases where an individual has acted to procure an advantage for all concerned: he is an intelligent being. These cases happen, indeed, but all things considered, we must admit that they are few in our lives everyday. "
