So I was standing in the stupid long line at the grocery store last night among all soap opera and gossip mags and I see “The Complete Idiots Guide to (something).” And I thought to myself, "Who would buy that book, therefore calling themselves a complete idiot? I object to the title, there’s a difference between being an idiot and just ignorant.
Anybody else feel that way?
I have 6 or 8 of the Dummies books. Take that as you will.
[QUOTE=control-z]
So I was standing in the stupid long line at the grocery store last night among all soap opera and gossip mags and I see “The Complete Idiots Guide to (something).” And I thought to myself, "Who would buy that book, therefore calling themselves a complete idiot? I object to the title, there’s a difference between being an idiot and just ignorant.
Anybody else feel that way?
[/QUOTE]
I’ve bought some, untroubled by the title. I don’t think it’s meant to be taken literally, but that they are aimed at people with no previous knowledge of the subject. Buying one doesn’t mean that you are a complete idiot literally, but that you may be a figuratively complete idiot on the subject of the book.
I recently noticed “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Tantric Sex” on a lover’s bedside table.
Dunno if he’s read it or not, but he definitely isn’t a complete idiot.
I might. I would tend to assume that it’s both an incredibly basic guide to something, and a guide which maybe doesn’t take itself terribly seriously. I also have the impression that the quality varies a good bit between different titles in the series–caused in part by authorship by different people.
[QUOTE=twickster]
I recently noticed “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Tantric Sex” on a lover’s bedside table.
Dunno if he’s read it or not, but he definitely isn’t a complete idiot. 
[/QUOTE]
Maybe he was before reading the book!
No, I’d get it at the library. I’m not a complete idiot, you know!
[QUOTE=vetbridge]
Maybe he was before reading the book!
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That war’nt no book-learnin’!
^Cite?
So, no interest in a copy of Web Publishing for Smelly, Impotent Pedophiles then?
Look around for The Dummies Guide To Not Taking Yourself So Seriously!. It’s an easy read.
[QUOTE=vetbridge]
^Cite?
[/QUOTE]
My (immense) satisfaction is my cite. 
I’d never buy one but one was bought for me as a gift.
I felt a little insulted.
I have a few “for dummies” books. I don’t really care what the title says, if the content is there. If I am looking to learn about something, I go down to Borders and scope out a handful of books and take the best couple home.
I have the bass guitar one; it’s a good book.
My wife has a couple of “Dummies” books. I don’t like them, because I find the layout distracting.
Titles don’t make me no never mind, though.
[QUOTE=don’t ask]
Look around for The Dummies Guide To Not Taking Yourself So Seriously!. It’s an easy read.
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Haha! I’d probably buy a “<whatever> for Dummies” book, with the attractive black and yellow color scheme and all. I guess another part of my objection to “Complete Idiot’s” books is they’re a ripoff of the “for Dummies” series.
I have one on knitting and crocheting.
Actually, I think this was the original “complete idiot’s guide”. The current Dummies and Idiots books are all ripoffs of the concept.
Absolutely terrific book, I knew several people (both experienced and not) that swore by it.
I’ve seen some of the ‘For Dummies’ and ‘Idiot Guides’ that I thought were fairly good. Others, not so much.
I don’t really care about the name if it’s got what I need. I am a complete idiot on some subjects.
But I do remember thinking much the same thing about the titles when I first saw them, lo these many years ago.
I think they are getting a little carried away with the whole thing.
The other day I saw “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Commodity Futures Tradings” or something of the sort.
There are some things that complete idiots should probably leave be.
Well, I work for Wiley – the company that publishes the Dummies books – and let me tell ya, PLENTY of people buy those books.