Our Dumb World
| Company type | Book |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | October 30, 2007 |
| Founder | The Onion |
| Products | Parody atlas |
| Parent | The Onion |
Our Dumb World is a parody atlas produced by The Onion and released by Little, Brown and Company on October 30, 2007. This publication represents The Onion's first book composed entirely of original material since the 1999 release of Our Dumb Century.
Maintaining the newspaper's distinctive editorial tone, the volume contains entries for nearly every nation, complete with comprehensive maps, feature stories, and comically exaggerated stereotypical portrayals of local history and traditions. For example, the entry on Romania carries the subtitle, "Bram Stoker's Romania."
The atlas is organized into eight main sections: North America, South America, Africa, Middle East, Europe, Asia, Oceania, and an Extra segment. The Extra section covers the Northern and Southern Poles as well as Greenland, which is humorously noted as "larger than Africa and South America combined."
In terms of design, the book visually echoes the style of Dorling Kindersley's Eyewitness series. It deliberately uses faux xenophobia to emphasize cultural distinctions, often lampooning racial stereotypes through satirical remarks. Each geographical section offers "facts," concise histories, and other country-specific information.
Portions of Our Dumb World have been transformed into digital versions accessible via The Onion’s website and integrated as a layer on Google Earth. Additionally, an audio book edition is available.
Development
Editor-in-chief Scott Dikkers structured the atlas by anchoring each country or American state entry around a central joke. The demanding writing process was a factor in longtime graphics editor Mike Loew’s decision to step down.
Contents of Our Dumb World
The book begins with an introduction by a fictional publisher named T., followed by an overview of the history of cartography and continental drift. Its format imitates conventional atlases but fuses authentic data with outrageous stereotypes and humorous fabrications about cultures and regions, all delivered in a purposeful satirical manner.
United States
A representative example of the book’s humor is its portrayal of Maine as an L. L. Bean catalogue. L. L. Bean, a well-known Maine-based company, is used as an absurd emblem for the state rather than as political satire.
Rest of North America
The chapter title itself reveals an American-centered perspective, which forms the foundation for much of the book’s comedic approach.
South America
French Guiana is depicted humorously as neglected by France, leading to a satirical rediscovery that mocks colonial indifference.
Africa
Madagascar is portrayed as being governed by lemurs, playfully referencing the island’s distinctive fauna.
Middle East
Kuwait is characterized as oblivious to being manipulated by the US, reducing complex geopolitical dynamics to personal melodrama.
Europe
France is humorously claimed to represent the entire world, a satire on Francophone pride and perceived global centrality.
Asia
China’s most common export is jokingly listed as Chinese people, playing on population clichés.
Australia
The entry concerning Tonga, a nation within Oceania often associated with Australia, presents fabricated information and satirical remarks suggesting the country was a creation of the writers.
The Polar regions
In the article on the North Pole, the existence of Father Christmas is humorously dismissed before raising questions about the origin of gifts. Greenland is playfully portrayed as the largest landmass, attributed to distortions caused by the Mercator projection.
Critical reaction
Our Dumb World has been met with largely favorable critiques, commending its comedic and satirical qualities. The New York Times labeled it as "an astoundingly offensive guide," describing it as "sophomoric, transgressive and intermittently brilliant," and emphasizing its daring style of global satire.