Comprehensiveness for Dummies.
(Well, in my own defense I really did try to find a better word than 'comprehensiveness' which, unlikely enough, is actually a real word!)
On a recent trip to Borders to throw away another $14.95 on a replacement "Illiad," I was kinda half amused and half disturbed to see a copy of Diabetes for Dummies on sale. Am I the only person who thinks that this is odd? Really, would you trust something that serious to the "For Dummies" series?!
Furthermore, yes, I do understand that the term "for Dummies" is essentially meaningless at this point...but...well, I mean, isn't it bad enough that you've just been diagnosed with Hepatitis C, let's say, without having to buy a how-to book that is calling you a "Dummy?"
This problem seems especially important in regards to Depression for Dummies. I, for one, think that there should be even more vaguely insulting products targeted at the clinically depressed consumer. If only the book came with a flashing neon sign that just said "EVERYONE HATES YOU." You could put it in your kitchen!
Some other titles I got from the Dummies homepage (I linked them up, in case you doubt me):
Prostate Cancer for Dummies
Addiction and Recovery for Dummies
Spirituality for Dummies
Robot Building for Dummies
and my personal favorite:
Raising Smart Kids for Dummies
On a recent trip to Borders to throw away another $14.95 on a replacement "Illiad," I was kinda half amused and half disturbed to see a copy of Diabetes for Dummies on sale. Am I the only person who thinks that this is odd? Really, would you trust something that serious to the "For Dummies" series?!
Furthermore, yes, I do understand that the term "for Dummies" is essentially meaningless at this point...but...well, I mean, isn't it bad enough that you've just been diagnosed with Hepatitis C, let's say, without having to buy a how-to book that is calling you a "Dummy?"
This problem seems especially important in regards to Depression for Dummies. I, for one, think that there should be even more vaguely insulting products targeted at the clinically depressed consumer. If only the book came with a flashing neon sign that just said "EVERYONE HATES YOU." You could put it in your kitchen!
Some other titles I got from the Dummies homepage (I linked them up, in case you doubt me):
Prostate Cancer for Dummies
Addiction and Recovery for Dummies
Spirituality for Dummies
Robot Building for Dummies
and my personal favorite:
Raising Smart Kids for Dummies
posted by Annie at 5:21 PM
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