Surrounded By Idiots

This is a 2014 book by Thomas Erikson, who is a Swedish author.

It was a worldwide success.

It sold millions of copies, but it was a mega hit in Sweden.

[laughs] Really?

If you ask most people about this book, they'll be like, "Yeah, I've heard of that." But if you ask someone from Sweden, they'll be like, "This book ruined my life."

It is the most toxic of the Scandinavian countries, so it makes sense.

This is a book about personality types.

It divides people into four personality categories.

Oh, I was hoping it was gonna be two, idiots and not idiots.

[laughs]

[laughs] The bummer about this book is that the Surrounded by Idiots title is a little bit tongue in cheek.

Right.

The idea is that, you know, you think you're surrounded by idiots, but actually it's just people of different personality types.

You need to understand that.

Boo.

Yeah.

So it's basically a clickbait title for, like, a more nuanced typology.

Boo.

Unfortunately, it's a very reasonable top line.

I'm getting ready for a really boring episode.

[laughs]

Erikson is not a psychologist.

He is not a medical professional or expert of any type.

He is just a guy.

Okay.