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Sit in on the first class.
Read the opening of The Psychology of Stupid below. Like it? The full novel is one tap away.
Chapter 1
Intellect vs. Wisdom
Professor Joseph Stona stopped by Dean Alex Pappos’ office, before his class, to say goodbye. Dean Pappos was recently diagnosed with cancer and the tumors in his body were found to be inoperable. He was given less than 6 months to live. Dean Pappos is a former student of Professor Stona, who has been teaching at Canton College for about 50 years.
“Alex, I just wanted to stop by to touch base. Are you busy?” asked Professor Stona.
Dean Pappos was filling in boxes and taking books off his shelves. “Come in, come in. I’m busy…but never too busy for you.”
“Do you remember me in your class? I’d say at least 40 years ago.”
“More like 45 years. And yes, you were one of my best students.”
“Me? One of your best? Not likely. I just squeezed a B out of that class. I still remember the essay question I left blank. You asked ‘What is the difference between intelligence and wisdom?’ Remember?”
“Yes, I still tend to ask that question today in my classes.”
“Well, years ago, I finally answered it. I wrote it down wanting to give it to you but never did. Would you like to read it?”
Professor Stona put on his glasses and read it out loud. “With intelligence, you can build skyscrapers, computers, bridges, solve complex mathematical problems, and make new medications. With wisdom, you can enjoy humor, maintain a loving heart, shed away the approaching stench of old age, listen to the symphonies of life, and dance with the universe.”
Dean Pappos smiled and asked, “Well, is that good enough for an A?”
“Yes, well done!”
Keep reading in the book →
Chapter 2
Taking Humanity to the Moon
“Welcome. This is Psychology 315… Contemporary Psychology. I am Professor Joseph Stona. Contrary to rumors, I’m not senile, and I don’t plan on being senile anytime soon.”
Being the old man on campus, for the last dozen years he started the class with a remark about his age. Then he went around the room and asked each student to say who they were and what they hoped to get out of the course.
“In this class, we focus on the practical application of Psychology, and I’m sure there will be something useful for everybody. What I hope to communicate most of all is how weak the application of Psychology is. By contrast, the application of many other sciences has flourished.”
“Let me start with this question. Can anyone tell me why someone would buy a product just because somebody famous endorses it? Why should I buy a car because an actor says it’s cool?”
“Most people don’t,” Kevin responded.
“Then all these companies paying millions to have a celebrity endorse their product are wasting their money?”
“I’d say so,” Kevin responded. “I’d be stupid if anybody would fall for that strategy.”
“Okay, we’ve established there is stupidity here somewhere, right? Either the companies, for spending millions for nothing, or the consumers falling for that strategy.”
The rest of the class is waiting →
