Book launch of "Homo idioticus: why we are stupid and what to do about it"

Look around, and you will see human stupidity everywhere. We are not Homo sapiens or Homo economicus; we are Homo idioticus. Can you believe that:
• 10% of Americans use their phones during sex
• 40% of Americans reject the theory of evolution
• Nearly 40% of the world’s population has not completed high school
• 86% of American teens cannot differentiate between fact and opinion
• IQs in developed countries have been declining since 1995

Book summary

Homo idioticus explores the paradox of human intelligence and simultaneous irrationality. It highlights the deeply ingrained biases, institutional inertia, and cognitive limitations that lead to suboptimal decision-making.

Drawing on examples ranging from military blunders to societal norms, Homo idioticus critiques our susceptibility to misinformation and poor judgment. It delves into the roots of this idiocy, from biology and societal norms to systemic flaws, using vivid historical and modern examples to illustrate our follies. With humor, compelling anecdotes, and a clear sense of urgency, the book challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths about human behavior. It also provides inspiring strategies to overcome these pitfalls, championing ideas for fighting our own stupidity.

Author’s bio

Cezary Pietrasik is a co-owner of Synerise, the leading AI company in human behavior prediction. Passionate about social systems, he has examined structures ranging from economies to institutions in each of the 7 countries he has lived in and the over 80 he has visited. Cezary began his career at McKinsey, then joined the investment banking team at J.P. Morgan. He went on to become a private equity investor at Warburg Pincus and later founded Healthdom, a preventive health company in San Francisco. A graduate of the London School of Economics and Political Science, Warsaw School of Economics, and Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien, Cezary was named Best Economics Student of Poland. He is the founder and president of the Butterfly Effect Foundation, helping children from underprivileged rural areas. In his free time, he enjoys swimming and horseback riding.

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