Books For The Stupid

Are you stupid or something? Can't you even use a computer? Durr! That's what I used to see when looking at the covers of the first 'For Dummies' books when they were first published. They are so ubiquitous now, covering such a wide range of subjects, that the For Dummies titles have become less insulting and are almost reassuring. Or maybe we've just become used to being called idiots.

Wiley, the publisher, has recently raised its game. Some new Dummies books have arrived in the office that take the word 'patronising' to a new level. Just last week I received a copy of Macs For Seniors For Dummies. To me the title is basically saying that old people are super-thick. A regular For Dummies book isn't going to cut it. Oh no - we need to have a special, extra-simplified version for that sub-species known as the over-50s.

Not only that, but it's a book about using a Mac computer. This book is aimed at stupid, old people who can't even use a Mac, essentially. I'm not sure that these people exist and, if they do, I wonder how many will enjoy making the trip up to the payment counter with this book in hand.

Technical books, even those apparently aimed at the sub-normal, are always going to challenge the reader to a certain degree. Imagine what it would be like, when you get stuck on something, to remember that not only is the book designed for the daft but it's been written for the decrepit. I can't believe your self-esteem is going anywhere but down.

The question is, are we happy to buy books that call us dull? The success of the Dummies books shows that we are. So I'm wrong about the whole thing. Next stop: Amazon and Anger Management for Dummies.