Wendy NorthcuttBesprekingen

Good for a few laughs, which are occasionally in short supply in my world....

The usual selection of irresponsible idiots.

Meh. Might be ok if you read a few pages and set it down again over and over. As a book it just doesn't hang together despite the ample amounts of filler. The topic is the perfect source of interesting blog posts or online reading, but doesn't work in this format. Maybe teh first one was better, but I'd skip 'em both and check out the website instead.

Az emberi faj egyik legmulatságosabb könyvsorozatának legújabb kötete a hátborzongató balesetek és szerencsétlenségek friss gyűjteménye. Azoknak állít emléket, akik lenyűgöző ostobaságuknak köszönhetően saját maguk gondoskodtak génjeik kihalásáról, nagymértékben hozzájárulva ezzel az emberi faj fejlődéséhez. (Alexandra Kiadó)

Az evolúció atyjának, Charles Darwinnak a tiszteletére létrehozott Darwin-díaj azoknak állít emléket, akik nagyban hozzájárultak az emberi faj genetikai tökéletesedéséhez, amikor saját génjeiket eltávolították a génállományból; egyúttal azt is megmutatták, hogy a józan ész nem is olyan magától értetődő dolog, mint gondolnánk. (Alexandra Kiadó)

I expected something better and was disappointed. This reads like Ripley's believe it or not. Yawn.

More tales of those determined to eliminate themselves from the gene pool

https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/the-darwin-awards-by-wendy-northcutt/

It’s an anthology of accounts of deaths and gruesome injuries caused (supposedly) by the foolishness of the victims, the central concept being that be removing themselves from the human gene pool, the victims deserve awards for implementing natural selection. It was not really to my taste.

A good bathroom book. Although entertaining, I found the book's self-righteous tone unnecessary. I am perfectly capable of finding entertainment in the misfortune of others, without having to be convinced that they were somehow deserving of their misfortunes.

Humerous, although at the expense of the idiots described in the text. This book is a great gift for scientifically minded adolescents or adults. The Darwin Awards are given to individuals with such accomplishments as having their arm bitten off by a tiger because they tried to pet it.

more stupid ways to die

more tales of fatal or near fatal stupidity

Borrowed from the public library as well.

See my note on it:

[http://itinerantlibrarian.blogspot.com/2007/02/booknote-darwin-awards-4.html]

Another edition of the Darwin Awards, where people help out evolution by removing themselves from the chain (either by death or becoming unable to reproduce). It has a good blend of stories, and some science essays in between the chapters. I usually just go for the stories. The humor level does vary, but they all show what happens when someone does something really stupid, thus keeping his genes (it's usually men, but there are some women) out of the gene pool.

I've generally always liked the Darwin Awards books, and this one is no exception.

It's always a joy to read about other peoples stupidity and the insights of other who see it coming. The title and concept is a great idea and I thought it was an appropriate read for his birthday.

Not much I can say about this one: it's a collection of Darwin award winners (and the honourable mentions) and their stories. It's both hilarious and possibly a sad commentary on the advancement, or lack thereof, of common sense.

For anyone who might not be familiar with the Darwin Awards, they are given each year for:
significantly improve the gene pool by eliminating themselves from the human race in an obviously stupid way. They are self-selected examples of the dangers inherent in a lack of common sense, and all human races, cultures, and socioeconomic groups are eligible to compete. Actual winners must meet the following criteria:

Reproduction
Out of the gene pool: dead or sterile.
Excellence
Astounding misapplication of judgment.
Self-Selection
Cause one's own demise.
Maturity
Capable of sound judgment.
Veracity
The event must be true.

(source: darwinawards.com/rules)

Always good for a chuckle!

An entertaining account of people who've removed themselves from the gene pool by their own stupidity. Effort has been made to verify the veracity of these tales, which read a lot like urban legends. A quick read, although maybe not one to get through in one sitting. Best read in snippets (waiting rooms, public transportation, etc)

Want to read about idiots? This is the book for you. Darwin Awards are given to those who cannot pass their genes on, which is a good thing for the rest of the human race. Hilarious and entertaining stories.

Just plain funny, and head-desk banging stories. It's a great book to read a few stories at a time so that you don't burn out on the stupidity of the human race. Because really, it is pretty stupid sometimes.

Funny and entertaining if you are into this type of book. If you are easily offended you should probably pass. I would highly recommend.

Ah yes - the Darwin Awards - where stupid people who do stupid things to take themselves out of the gene pool are honored. This really is an awesome set of books. Its well written. Manages to stay snarky, but not over the top. The rules for winning are clearly outlined - and all the winners follow it (The honorable mentions generally didn't qualify for the Darwin Award). The book is also filled with unconfirmed urban myths of stupid people dying spectacularly - but these also didn't win a Darwin Award unless it was confirmed by outside news sources.

Books of this sort generally are over the top and are all over the place, both in writing style and criteria - but the two books in this series are tightly written in a dry humor style that stays true to the story, but is quite gleeful about the people who won an award.

Highly recommended if you like snarky stories about stupid people.

This wasn't as funny or entertaining as I imagined.

The endless stupidity of the human race is highly entertaining, but some of these are as sad as they are funny.

Northcutt's 7th collection of stories regarding folks who have removed themselves from the gene pool in spectacularly idiotic ways delivers exactly what one would expect and more. The scientific essays included between bouts of laughter at the stupidity of some people are most welcome. Come for the funny, and learn something, too!