Chapter 25 Summary and Analysis

In Chapter 25, Experiments in Human Behavior, Ellen explains that if she had a nickel for every time she felt like an idiot, she would be rich. She points out that when we trip on the sidewalk, we act like it is the sidewalk's fault. We look around to see who saw us trip and look like idiots. The truth is no one was watching. Everyone is too busy worrying about not looking like idiots themselves. One way to be sure to look like an idiot, is to belt out a song, sounding just like Whitney Houston in your mind and then discover that you are not alone.

An elevator is a place that brings out the idiot in many. When walking up to an elevator where someone is waiting and has pushed the up button, you always have to push the...