Product Behavior

This site uses WordPress as its blogging engine. I like it because it works really well, and it’s customizable. If you have a little technical knowledge, you can add plug-ins to extend the functionality of your site. If you have a lot, you can tweak the code and add any feature you can dream up and code. But what if you’re a dummy? Or, rather, a Dummy? In that case, you can read WordPress for Dummies, which is the #1 book on blogging at Amazon and has been for a few months.

I have always wondered about the appeal of the “For Dummies” series. They’re good books; I’ve used a couple of them to learn about various things over the years. But I can’t get past the title. What are they telling me? I’m a dummy for not already knowing what’s in the book? It’s ok to be dumb – I can just read this book when I need to know something? Am I embarrassed by being a dummy, or should I revel in it?

And do we want dummies to become parents? Do Catholics or Jews want dummies as members of their communities? Can you actually be a dummy if you even know about PHP & MySQL Web Development?

I’ve noticed a subset of people who think it’s cool not to know anything about technology or politics or whatever. Maybe those people self-identify as Dummies in a positive way. They think, “I’m a dummy! That book must be for me!”

Although I see some conflict in simultaneously helping and tearing down your consumer, I also appreciate the dissonance. I’m waiting for Self-Esteem for Dummies. Soon, I’m sure.

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