09.08.09
Page: How I Became Stupid
“Intelligence makes you unhappy, lonely, and poor…”
“Intelligence was just a word people used for stupid remarks that were well presented and prettily pronounced, and… intelligence itself was so corrupt, that there was often more to be gained from being dumb than from being a sworn intellectual.”
“Alcoholics are pitied, they are cared for, they are thought of in medical terms, humanely.But no one thinks of pitying intelligent people.”
“But no, intelligence is a double curse: it makes you suffer, and no one thinks of it as an illness.”
“…there are no detoxing cleanses for intelligence.”
“Id prefer it if you did the talking instead of calling on some goddamned writer. If you want my opinion, it’s too easy quoting other people, because there are so many great writers who’ve said so many great things that no one would ever need to express their own opinions ever again.”
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These lines are mostly by Antoine, Martin Page’s intellect-tormented character (who thought too much and was tired of it) from How I Became Stupid. The book is a satire on both intelligence and stupidity. A quirky little book, I must say.
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mika said,
September 8, 2009 at 8:31 pm
WOAH!!! I CAN RELATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! one of the most common things people say about me is: “you think too much” (others would include “you’re tall” or “you have long fingers”) haha
Miracle said,
September 9, 2009 at 7:53 am
Yeah, Mika! I remember saying all three things to you.haha =) I also thought the character would be like myself when I picked up this bo0k. People also accuse me of thinking too much (although the truth is far from that haha). In the end, I wasn’t able to identify with his intellect but with his tendency of trying to understand too much for his own good. The serious and deep existential themes were presented with the author’s certain humour which procured mixed feelings.hehe…it has its truths and idiosyncracies as well. =)
Miracle said,
September 9, 2009 at 7:56 am
P.S. I wish people could say I’m tall and that I have long fingers too! Wahaha =P