I need to know this answer because I have to write a paper saying what I think the quote means or what is he saying... (H.L. Mecken)
2006-08-22 11:32:28 · 13 answers · asked by CaramelKisses16 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
Its by HL Mencken, a famous cynic about the intelligence of the American people. It means -- the American people aren't too smart. You won't go broke underestimating the intelligence, because 1) the intelligence is so low it is hard to underestimate, and 2) becuase the intelligence is low, the way to make money is to appeal to a very low common denominator.
2006-08-22 11:45:53 · answer #1 · answered by C_Bar 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Nobody Ever Went Broke
2016-10-31 23:33:39 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want to make money, sell something stupid and the American public will buy it.
As evidence - nearly everything on American TV is bloody awful (I am still reeling from a show about a crime-fighting speed boat) but people still spend a fortune to watch it.
2006-08-23 10:23:09 · answer #3 · answered by UKJess 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You do realize that his voting record and Hilary Clinton's voting record are the SAME. They have gone with the same votes on down the line. If Obama wins the whole thing because Americans are stupid, the same could be said of Clinton. If Obama loses the whole thing because of the stupidity of Americans, the same could be said of Clinton. Because they are exactly the same on the issues. Cute avatar, though...
2016-03-17 01:09:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
To me it seems to say that if you were to place a bet between the stupidity and the genius of the american people, your money would best be placed on stupidity winning.
2006-08-23 03:56:29 · answer #5 · answered by archernz 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just that on the AVERAGE the american people are pretty dumb and the "lowest common denominator" will be successful when you are trying to sell something...
look at Jerry Springer compared to Charley Rose on PBS...
2006-08-22 11:38:57 · answer #6 · answered by R J 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Conversely, it could be interpreted as meaning:
you can get rich devising, manufacturing, and marketing products and/or services which seem to appeal to the dumbness of Americans
2006-08-22 11:47:23 · answer #7 · answered by Legandivori 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
P T Barnum quote just as it is stated! I have no idea what your best answer person meant with his or her answer
2016-07-14 14:37:35 · answer #8 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you fit his quote to a T
2016-05-24 05:18:26 · answer #9 · answered by Cory 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
no one has lost money buy selling something that the public might see as stupid
2006-08-22 11:38:30 · answer #10 · answered by salty_pearl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋