=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= = F.U.C.K. - Fucked Up College Kids - Born Jan. 24th, 1993 - F.U.C.K. = =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Dummies ------- I was browsing in a bookstore the other day, skimming through various texts on computers, writing, and other interests of mine, when I ran across a title that made my blood run cold. _Sex for Dummies_ Now, the folks at IDG books have been producing their computer Dummies series with good results and high profit. Their original idea was a good one. After all, there are people required to do some computer related work that they have no interest in doing but are nevertheless required to do so by their employer or school. They are also good introductory texts for people who need the basics before they get into the meat of the subject matter. I used to view these books in the same manner I viewed Cliff's Notes in high school - a quick outline that gets you going. But now they have gone too far. Curious, I looked through some other shelves in the store, and was amazed to discover some more IDG titles. _Job Hunting for Dummies_ _Taxes for Dummies_ _ISDN for Dummies_ _Time Management for Dummies_ _Parenting for Dummies_ This last title made me giggle. I wondered if you had to buy _Parenting for Dummies_ if you missed _Sex for Dummies_. But then I got serious. These Dummies books have a subtle impact on the minds of their readers. First of all, by purchasing any of these titles, you are practically shouting from the rooftops that you feel stupid. That's quite a self-esteem boost. Secondly, some of these books give people the impression that anyone can do anything just by reading one of these "idiot" texts. As you can see, these titles range from complex to common sense. In my mind, it's ont thing to pick up a book about a simple topic like time management, but something else entirely to use a similar IDG book for seriuos topics that could impact lives other than yours. To use these books as a primary reference in this instance could cause serious security, financial, and personal problems. Case in point: A friend of mine was browsing the computer section of a bookstore when he was approached by a woman clutching one of these bright yellow Dummies books. It was entitled _Unix for Dummies_. She asked if he knew a lot about computers, to whch he replied "Sure." She then proceeded to tell him that she had acquired a job in System Administration and that she hoped this Dummies book would get her going. What she was really saying, without ever using any of these words, was "HACK ME". Once this tale had been related to me, I wondered of her root password was going to be "dummy". Now that IDG has expanded their repertoire, covering everything from mutual funds to parenting, I wonder what these books are saying about our society in general. One title in particular strikes me at this point. _Job Hunting for Dummies_ If you are so dumb (or lazy) that you can't comprehend the better texts about resume writing, proper interview techniques, and contact making, then you shouldn't be buying _Job Hunting for Dummies_ in the first place. You should pick up an application for Taco Bell or McDonald's and move on in your life, because you won't even be able to get a cubicle job at IBM with this book. Furthermore, our country has reached a sad state if people must purchase a Dummies book about parenting. What does this say about us? That Americans can't even procreate without a book? That we are too stupid to comprehend the fundamental (and supposedly instinctive) basics of parenting? Our society has reached a point where we do more reading about doing than doing, and we can't even use the more detailed intellectual texts to read about doing. IDG is capitalizing on this, and our insecurities about ourselves. Everything is getting 80's again. Quick and dirty, with no desire for anything to be done thoroughly, or even well. IDG is saying all of this to us, and, like the "Dummies" we are, we are falling for it. DeMoNiKa =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= = Questions, Comments, Bitches, Ideas, Rants, Death Threats, etc etc... = = Internet : jericho@netcom.com (Mail is welcome) = =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= = Gote Land +27.31.441115 = = Arrested Development +31.77.3547477 = = Chemical Persuasion 203.324.0894 Celestial Woodlands 214.252.6455 = = Goat Blowers Anon 215.750.0392 Hacker's Haven 303.343.4053 = = E.L.F. (NUP) 314.272.3426 Misery 318.625.4532 = = Dungeon Sys. 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