Charles Mackay

In "Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds," Charles Mackay investigates the bewildering phenomena of collective human behavior, offering a meticulously detailed examination of historical follies, including financial bubbles, witch hunts, and mass hysteria. Written in the 19th century, this work employs a journalistic yet analytical literary style, blending narrative anecdote with sociological inquiry, thus situating it within the burgeoning field of psychology and social science. Mackays exploration reveals not just individual madness but the terrifying power of groupthink that can influence entire societies. Charles Mackay, a Scottish journalist and poet, had a keen interest in the dynamics of human behavior and the societal impacts of economic crises. His background in journalism and finance, coupled with a profound engagement with his contemporaries anxieties, instilled in him a distinctive perspective on public sentiment and mass behavior. This inquisitive nature led him to observe and document how irrationality often prevails in human actions, transcending individual reasoning amidst collective enthusiasm or fear. This remarkable work serves as a critical reminder of the susceptibility of humans to irrationality, making it an invaluable read for those interested in psychology, sociology, and economic history. Mackays insightful observations remain relevant today, inviting readers to reflect on their own susceptibility to the madness of crowds.

Delirios multitudinarios incluye tres relatos sobre momentos de especulación desbocada en Inglaterra, Francia y Holanda entre 1635 y 1720. La posibilidad de comprar baratos bienes que se revalorizaban a velocidades increibles sedujo a todos: en las tres ocasiones la mania fue tan extendida que alcanzo a la mayoria de la poblacion, de todas la clases sociales. Gran numero de individuos alcanzaron de pronto la riqueza, como nunca antes habia ocurrido. Y sus fortunas, en la mayor parte de los casos, se evaporaron con la misma rapidez. La Gracia con que lo cuenta Mackay unida a lo que desde nuestro tiempo parece enorme ingenuidad de los compradores (¿como puede alguien creer que un bulbo de tulipan puede llegar a valer lo que una parcela edificable en el centro de la ciudad?), hace que leamos las tres historias divertidos Pero los analistas economicos contemporaneos usan estas mismas historias para explicar nuestra actitudes presentes ante los mercados y el dinero. Por eso destacados millonarios de Wall Street declaran que este figura entres sus libros de cabecera.

In Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds, Charles Mackay explores various historical episodes of mass hysteria, financial manias, and social delusions. Written with a keen eye for detail and analysis, Mackays work delves into the psychological and sociological factors that contribute to such collective follies. Each volume contains a wealth of anecdotes and examples, making it a comprehensive study of the irrational behavior that can grip societies. Mackays writing style is engaging and readable, making complex concepts accessible to a wide audience. This book is a classic in the field of psychology and remains relevant today in understanding mass behavior and societal trends. Overall, this three-volume edition provides a fascinating look at the power of groupthink and the insight into human nature. Charles Mackays astute observations and thorough research make Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds a must-read for anyone interested in the psychology of crowds and group behavior.

Describing bizarrely popular Victorian street slang, the madness of crowds, stock market mania (from the South Sea Bubble to Tulip fever), popular fashions, fads, crazes, schemes and scams, this brilliantly entertaining and ever-more relevant study of human folly shows that we are always susceptible to hysteria and bamboozlement. "Great Ideas": throughout history, some books have changed the world. They have transformed the way we see ourselves - and each other. They have inspired debate, dissent, war and revolution. They have enlightened, outraged, provoked and comforted. They have enriched lives - and destroyed them. Now Penguin brings you the works of the great thinkers, pioneers, radicals and visionaries whose ideas shook civilization and helped make us who we are.

In "Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds," Charles Mackay masterfully examines the psychological underpinnings of mass movements and collective behaviors, revealing the tribulations of human folly across history. This comprehensive three-volume edition delves into notorious phenomena such as tulip mania, witch hunts, and the South Sea Bubble, employing a narrative style that is both accessible and richly descriptive. Mackays exploration transcends mere historical account, presenting a critical analysis of the irrational impulses that can grip societies, demonstrating how susceptible individuals are to the whims of public opinion and social contagion. Charles Mackay, a Scottish journalist and poet born in 1814, had a keen interest in social psychology and the nature of human behavior. His experiences witnessing the tumult of the Victorian era, marked by economic upheaval and fervent trends, instilled in him a deep skepticism towards the collective mindset. This influenced not only his work as a commentator during his time but also fueled his desire to dissect the recurring patterns of madness that lead people from reason to irrationality. This remarkable work is an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of human behavior within a societal context. Mackays enduring insights reveal the persistent relevance of his analyses today, making it a compelling choice for historians, psychologists, and general readers interested in the dynamics of crowd psychology and the often bewildering nature of human folly.In this enriched edition, we have carefully created added value for your reading experience:- A succinct Introduction situates the works timeless appeal and themes.- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the eras events and influences that shaped the writing.- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the works messages, connecting them to modern life.- Handpicked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.

In "Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds," Charles Mackay meticulously examines the psychological forces that drive collective behavior, illuminating how society often succumbs to mass hysteria, delusions, and financial folly. Written in the mid-19th century, Mackays book combines narrative history with a rich, engaging literary style that reflects the Romantic sensibilities of his time. Through a series of vivid case studiesranging from medieval witch hunts to the speculative bubbles of his erathe author presents a compelling critique of human gullibility and the volatile nature of public opinion. Charles Mackay was a Scottish journalist, poet, and a passionate observer of social phenomena, whose career in journalism provided him insight into the collective behaviors of people. His deep interest in the psychological underpinnings of crowd behavior likely influenced his decision to compile this groundbreaking work. Mackays firsthand experiences with popular delusionsnotably during the financial frenzies of the 1840sequipped him with both the personal and professional perspective necessary to analyze the interplay between individual actions and collective irrationality. "Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds" is essential reading for anyone intrigued by the intricacies of human behavior and the social dynamics that shape our world. Mackays thought-provoking exploration remains relevant today, offering timeless insights that resonate with contemporary events in politics, finance, and culture, making it a must-read for scholars, students, and curious minds alike.In this enriched edition, we have carefully created added value for your reading experience:- A succinct Introduction situates the works timeless appeal and themes.- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the eras events and influences that shaped the writing.- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the works messages, connecting them to modern life.- Handpicked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.

Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds is a study of crowd psychology by Scottish journalist Charles Mackay. The subjects of Mackays debunking include witchcraft, alchemy, crusades, duels, economic bubbles, fortune-telling, haunted houses, the Drummer of Tedworth, the influence of politics and religion on the shapes of beards and hair, magnetizers (influence of imagination in curing disease), murder through poisoning, prophecies, popular admiration of great thieves, popular follies of great cities, and relics. Contents: Volume 1: National Delusions: The Mississippi Scheme The South Sea Bubble The Tulipomania Relics Modern Prophecies Popular Admiration for Great Thieves Influence of Politics and Religion on the Hair and Beard Duels and Ordeals The Love of the Marvellous and the Disbelief of the True Popular Follies in Great Cities Old Price Riots The Thugs, or Phansigars Volume 2: Peculiar Follies: The Crusades The Witch Mania The Slow Poisoners Haunted Houses Volume 3: Philosophical Delusions : The Alchemysts Fortune Telling The Magnetisers

In "Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds," Charles Mackay presents an incisive inquiry into the psychology of collective behavior and the phenomena of madness that often grips society. Composed of three comprehensive volumes, this work meticulously chronicles episodes of financial folly, superstition, and social obsessions, from the South Sea Bubble to the tulip mania. Mackays prose is both engaging and didactic, blending anecdotal narratives with thorough analysis, capturing the readers imagination while providing a deeper understanding of the irrational behaviors that dominate human experience. Amid the fervor of the 19th century, when the Industrial Revolution was fueling social change, Mackay situates these events as manifestations of human folly, echoing historical patterns of insanity driven by crowd mentality. Charles Mackay, a Scottish journalist and novelist, was uniquely positioned to explore these themes due to his extensive background in journalism and social commentary. His experiences witnessing the speculative excesses of his time, combined with a profound interest in human psychology and history, equipped him to delve into the intricacies of crowd dynamics and their often disastrous consequences. Mackays blend of empirical observation and literary flair positions him not merely as a recorder of events, but as a keen critic of the societal trends he examined. Highly recommended for scholars and casual readers alike, this seminal work remains a vital exploration of societal behaviors that resonate to this day. Mackays analysis serves as a cautionary tale for contemporary audiences, urging a reflection on current trends in collective behavior and a careful consideration of the forces that guide public sentiment. Dive into this remarkable analysis to better understand the motivations behind the phenomena that continue to shape our world.

Sociedades avançadas também fazemcoisas incrivelmente estúpidas emmomentos de desespero...Embora a insanidade se manifeste de modos variados, osmecanismos psicológicos por trás dela são semelhantes.C

Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds is a study of crowd psychology by Scottish journalist Charles Mackay. The subjects of Mackays debunking include witchcraft, alchemy, crusades, duels, economic bubbles, fortune-telling, haunted houses, the Drummer of Tedworth, the influence of politics and religion on the shapes of beards and hair, magnetizers (influence of imagination in curing disease), murder through poisoning, prophecies, popular admiration of great thieves, popular follies of great cities, and relics. Contents:Volume 1: National Delusions: The Mississippi Scheme The South Sea Bubble The Tulipomania Relics Modern Prophecies Popular Admiration for Great Thieves Influence of Politics and Religion on the Hair and Beard Duels and Ordeals The Love of the Marvellous and the Disbelief of the True Popular Follies in Great Cities Old Price Riots The Thugs, or PhansigarsVolume 2: Peculiar Follies: The Crusades The Witch Mania The Slow Poisoners Haunted HousesVolume 3: Philosophical Delusions : The Alchemysts Fortune Telling The Magnetisers

El libro describe tres momentos históricos de especulación desbordada en Inglaterra, Francia y Holanda, ocurridos entre 1635 y 1720 que guardan una extraordinaria similitud con sucesos actuales del mundo financiero.Los tres momentos que describe el libro son: el proyecto del Misisipi, la burbuja de la South Sea company y la tulipomania o mania de los tulipanes. La oportunidad de comprar a bajo precio bienes que se revalorizaban a una velocidad enorme se puso a disposicion de un gran numero de personas de todas las clases sociales, que alcanzaron la riqueza con la misma rapidez que la perdieron despues. Las tres historias se cuentan de forma muy entretenida Son materiales valiosos para comprender la forma de pensar y de tomar decisiones de las personas. Los fenomenos que describio en su momento siguen repitiendose hoy con las obligadas variantes de tiempo, lugar y circunstancia. Los analistas economicos de nuestros dias recurren a estas historias para explicar comportamientos actuales ante el dinero y los mercados.

This edition represents an early study of crowd psychology by Scottish journalist Charles Mackay. The book chronicles its subjects in three parts: "National Delusions", "Peculiar Follies", and "Philosophical Delusions". MacKay was an accomplished teller of stories, though he wrote in a journalistic and somewhat sensational style. The subjects of Mackays debunking include alchemy, crusades, duels, economic bubbles, fortune-telling, haunted houses, the Drummer of Tedworth, the influence of politics and religion on the shapes of beards and hair, magnetisers (influence of imagination in curing disease), murder through poisoning, prophecies, popular admiration of great thieves, popular follies of great cities, and relics. Present-day writers on economics, such as Michael Lewis and Andrew Tobias, laud the three chapters on economic bubbles. Scientist and astronomer Carl Sagan mentioned the book in his own discussion about pseudoscience, popular delusions, and hoaxes.Charles Mackay was a Scottish poet, journalist, author, anthologist, novelist, and songwriter.

Alt. Title: Memories of Extraordinary Popular Delusions

In Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds, Charles Mackay delves into the psychological phenomena that can lead to widespread irrational behavior. This seminal work, first published in 1841, explores various historical occurrences of mass hysteria, financial bubbles, and social fads, revealing how collective psychology often eclipses individual judgment. Infused with Mackays engaging prose and keen observational skill, the book employs a blend of anecdotal narratives and analytical commentary, situating it within the context of 19th-century socio-economic upheaval. Charles Mackay, a Scottish journalist and author, was deeply influenced by the financial tumult of his time, particularly the South Sea Bubble and similar panics. His thorough research and passion for public discourse allowed him to illuminate the recurring patterns of human behavior regarding speculation and enthusiasm. Mackays background in journalism, along with his interest in social phenomena, informed his insights into the volatility of human emotions when compounded by group dynamics, contributing to the books lasting impact. Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand not only the historical context of mass behavior but also its contemporary relevance. Mackays analysis remains profoundly insightful, offering a lens through which we can examine modern phenomena such as social media trends and market fluctuations. For students of history, psychology, and economics, this work is invaluable, urging readers to consider the implications of human behavior in collective scenarios.In this enriched edition, we have carefully created added value for your reading experience:- A succinct Introduction situates the works timeless appeal and themes.- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the eras events and influences that shaped the writing.- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the works messages, connecting them to modern life.- Handpicked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.

Describe tres momentos históricos de especulación desbordada en Inglaterra, Francia y Holanda, ocurridos entre 1935 y 1720, que guardan una extraordinaria similitud con sucesos actuales del mundo financiero: el proyecto del Misisipi, la burbuja de la South Sea Company y la tulipomania o mania de los tulipanes. Las tres historias que Charles Mackay cuenta de forma muy entretenida son materiales valiosos para comprender la forma de pensar y de tomar decisiones de las personas.

Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions is an early study of crowd psychology by Scottish journalist Charles Mackay. The book chronicles its subjects in three parts: "National Delusions", "Peculiar Follies", and "Philosophical Delusions". MacKay was an accomplished teller of stories, though he wrote in a journalistic and somewhat sensational style. The subjects of Mackays debunking include alchemy, crusades, duels, economic bubbles, fortune-telling, haunted houses, the Drummer of Tedworth, the influence of politics and religion on the shapes of beards and hair, magnetisers (influence of imagination in curing disease), murder through poisoning, prophecies, popular admiration of great thieves, popular follies of great cities, and relics. Present-day writers on economics, such as Michael Lewis and Andrew Tobias, laud the three chapters on economic bubbles. Scientist and astronomer Carl Sagan mentioned the book in his own discussion about pseudoscience, popular delusions, and hoaxes. In later editions, Mackay added a footnote referencing the Railway Mania of the 1840s as another "popular delusion" which was at least as important as the South Sea Bubble. Mathematician Andrew Odlyzko has pointed out, in a published lecture, that Mackay himself played a role in this economic bubble; as leader writer in the Glasgow Argus, Mackay wrote on 2 October 1845: "There is no reason whatever to fear a crash".

In the annals of human history, the allure of extraordinary delusions and the madness of crowds has left an indelible mark. From the tulip mania that gripped 17th-century Holland to the South Sea Bubble that shattered the dreams of countless investors, these collective frenzies have captivated and bewildered generations.In Volume 2 of his seminal work, "Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds," Charles Mackay delves into the depths of these irrational phenomena. With meticulous research and vivid prose, he unravels the psychological and social forces that drive people to embrace the most outlandish beliefs and engage in the most reckless behaviors. Prepare to be astonished and enlightened as Mackay exposes the fragility of human reason and the enduring power of mass hysteria.