Status
Available
Call number
Series
Collection
Publication
Plume (2002), Edition: Reprint, 352 pages
Description
One of the best known and most frequently visited web sites is the Darwin Awards web site. Practically everyone who is on the net has received a Darwin story in their e-mail at one time or another. It is one of those legendary sites which has become part of the fabric of being on-line. Started in 1993 by biologist Wendy Northcutt she set out to collect together and authenticate stories of individuals around the world who, through their stupidity, have removed themselves from the gene pool, (i.e. killed themselves). These are the people for whom warnings such as 'coffee is hot' and 'this superman cape does not enable the wearer to fly' were made. This is black humour elevated to its purest commercial form. There are rules here too. The candidate must: exhibit astounding misapplication of judgement; remove himself/herself from the gene pool; be capable of sound judgement; be self selecting (i.e. it was their fault) and the event must be verifiable.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member LisaMaria_C
The Darwin Awards commemorate ""individuals who ensure the long-term survival of our species by removing themselves from the gene pool in a sublimely idiotic fashion." The subtitle is "evolution in action." The description on the back cover asks you to "Marvel at the thief who tries to steal live
Silenced by the Lambs
(28 January 1999, England) A flock of sheep charged a well-meaning British farmer's wife and pushed her over a cliff to her death. Betty, 67, was charged by dozens of sheep after she brought them a bale of hay on the back of a power bike. The sheep rushed forward and rammed the vehicle, knocking Betty and her bike over the edge of a vacant quarry near Durham. "I saw the sheep surround the bike. The next thing she was tumbling down the incline," a neighbor told reporters. Her husband is being comforted by friends.
I guess I'm a party pooper, and I admit I've snickered at "Darwin Award" anecdotes told to me over instant messenger and email. But being told these are verified and realizing there was a real person (and this story doesn't make her sound all that stupid, just unlucky) takes all the fun out of it for me. I should add though, I'm really not a joke book person and this is very unlike my usual read. I read it because it was in the Humor Section of "The Ultimate Reading List" which I had been working through. Oh well, maybe Nora Ephron or Dave Barry will suit me better.
Show More
electrical wires. Gape at the lawnchair jockey who floats to a height of 16,000 feet suspended by helium balloons." These purport to be true, verified stories: I guess that's why in the end I just can't find them funny. The book is filled with short notations explaining how these individuals overachieved, and are usually less than two pages each, often just a few paragraphs. Let me give you a flavor by sharing a short one with you:Silenced by the Lambs
(28 January 1999, England) A flock of sheep charged a well-meaning British farmer's wife and pushed her over a cliff to her death. Betty, 67, was charged by dozens of sheep after she brought them a bale of hay on the back of a power bike. The sheep rushed forward and rammed the vehicle, knocking Betty and her bike over the edge of a vacant quarry near Durham. "I saw the sheep surround the bike. The next thing she was tumbling down the incline," a neighbor told reporters. Her husband is being comforted by friends.
I guess I'm a party pooper, and I admit I've snickered at "Darwin Award" anecdotes told to me over instant messenger and email. But being told these are verified and realizing there was a real person (and this story doesn't make her sound all that stupid, just unlucky) takes all the fun out of it for me. I should add though, I'm really not a joke book person and this is very unlike my usual read. I read it because it was in the Humor Section of "The Ultimate Reading List" which I had been working through. Oh well, maybe Nora Ephron or Dave Barry will suit me better.
Show Less
LibraryThing member HenriMoreaux
Great bathroom reading :)
LibraryThing member EmScape
An entertaining account of people who've removed themselves from the gene pool by their own stupidity. Effort has been made to verify the veracity of these tales, which read a lot like urban legends. A quick read, although maybe not one to get through in one sitting. Best read in snippets (waiting
Show More
rooms, public transportation, etc) Show Less
LibraryThing member fodroy
I don't know why I have this one either. I'm pretty sure you can find all of this stuff online for free. I think this was a stocking stuffer or something.
LibraryThing member seldombites
If you enjoy laughing at the stupidity of other people, then this book is for you. Some of these stories are hilarious. Others will have you shaking your head. All of them will leave you feeling glad you aren't related. The Darwin Awards contains over 180 stories in the following categories:
*
* Honorable Mentions: survived their escapade but still illustrate the innovative spirit of Darwin Award candidates.
* Urban Legends: these are cautionary fables with various versions circling the internet, but any resemblance to actual events is purely coincidental.
* Personal Accounts: these were submitted by loyal readers and are plausible but generally unverified.
Darwin Awards and Honorable Mentions are further divided into:
* Confirmed by Darwin: indicates that a story was backed up by multiple submissions and more than one reputable media source.
* Unconfirmed by Darwin: indicates fewer submissions and the unavailability of direct confirmation of media sources.
This is a seriously funny book and I highly recommend it.
*
Show More
Darwin Awards: nominees lost their reproductive capacity by killing or sterilizing themselves, thereby removing themselves from the gene pool.* Honorable Mentions: survived their escapade but still illustrate the innovative spirit of Darwin Award candidates.
* Urban Legends: these are cautionary fables with various versions circling the internet, but any resemblance to actual events is purely coincidental.
* Personal Accounts: these were submitted by loyal readers and are plausible but generally unverified.
Darwin Awards and Honorable Mentions are further divided into:
* Confirmed by Darwin: indicates that a story was backed up by multiple submissions and more than one reputable media source.
* Unconfirmed by Darwin: indicates fewer submissions and the unavailability of direct confirmation of media sources.
This is a seriously funny book and I highly recommend it.
Show Less
LibraryThing member bespen
By now a cultural icon, the Darwin Awards were created by Wendy Northcutt in 1993. This is the first book of an ongoing series, because there is really no end to human stupidity. This is the only one of the books I have ever read, and I found myself mostly annoyed at the color commentary. I can
Accordingly, I skipped almost all the chapter introductions, and I liked the book much better. I did feel a little bit guilty reading this. I suppose by definition this book is taking delight in others misfortune. Perhaps it is simply that God works in mysterious ways.
Show More
understand the impulse to fill empty space with pithy remarks, but really we are all just here for the gory details. All else is superfluous.Accordingly, I skipped almost all the chapter introductions, and I liked the book much better. I did feel a little bit guilty reading this. I suppose by definition this book is taking delight in others misfortune. Perhaps it is simply that God works in mysterious ways.
Show Less
LibraryThing member KarenIrelandPhillips
The endless stupidity of the human race is highly entertaining, but some of these are as sad as they are funny.
LibraryThing member jimocracy
This wasn't as funny or entertaining as I imagined.
LibraryThing member BrittanyLyn
Want to read about idiots? This is the book for you. Darwin Awards are given to those who cannot pass their genes on, which is a good thing for the rest of the human race. Hilarious and entertaining stories.
LibraryThing member murderbydeath
Not much I can say about this one: it's a collection of Darwin award winners (and the honourable mentions) and their stories. It's both hilarious and possibly a sad commentary on the advancement, or lack thereof, of common sense.
For anyone who might not be familiar with the Darwin Awards, they are
significantly improve the gene pool by eliminating themselves from the human race in an obviously stupid way. They are self-selected examples of the dangers inherent in a lack of common sense, and all human races, cultures, and socioeconomic groups are eligible to compete. Actual winners must meet the following criteria:
Reproduction
Out of the gene pool: dead or sterile.
Excellence
Astounding misapplication of judgment.
Self-Selection
Cause one's own demise.
Maturity
Capable of sound judgment.
Veracity
The event must be true.
(source: darwinawards.com/rules)
Always good for a chuckle!
For anyone who might not be familiar with the Darwin Awards, they are
Show More
given each year for:significantly improve the gene pool by eliminating themselves from the human race in an obviously stupid way. They are self-selected examples of the dangers inherent in a lack of common sense, and all human races, cultures, and socioeconomic groups are eligible to compete. Actual winners must meet the following criteria:
Reproduction
Out of the gene pool: dead or sterile.
Excellence
Astounding misapplication of judgment.
Self-Selection
Cause one's own demise.
Maturity
Capable of sound judgment.
Veracity
The event must be true.
(source: darwinawards.com/rules)
Always good for a chuckle!
Show Less
LibraryThing member burritapal
I expected something better and was disappointed. This reads like Ripley's believe it or not. Yawn.
Awards
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2000-11
Physical description
352 p.; 5.2 inches
ISBN
0452283442 / 9780452283442