Charles Mackay was a Scottish writer and journalist who lived in the 19th century. He was known for his extensive knowledge of human behavior and his ability to analyze social phenomena. One of his most famous works is the book "Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds," published in 1841. In this book, Mackay delves into the psychology behind various popular delusions and manias that have occurred throughout history. He explores the Tulip Mania in the 17th century, the South Sea Bubble in the 18th century, and the Mississippi Scheme, among others. Mackay's investigative approach to these social phenomena made him a popular author and he became renowned as a diviner of human behavior.
“Credulity is always greatest in times of calamity.”
― Charles Mackay, Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds
From this sprang the search, so long continued and still pursued, for the elixir vitæ, or water of life, which has led thousands to pretend to it and millions to believe in it. Much as the sage may affect to despise the opinion of the world, there are few who would not rather expose their lives a hundred times than be condemned to live on, in society, but not of it - a by-word of reproach to all who know their history, and a mark for scorn to point his finger at.
Mackay's investigative approach to these social phenomena made him a popular author and he became renowned as a diviner of human behavior. He was able to uncover the underlying causes and motivations behind these mass delusions, identifying key factors such as greed, fear, and herd mentality. Moreover, Mackay's writings shed light on the vulnerability and irrationality of human nature, showing how easily people can be swayed by the collective opinions and actions of others.
Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions Vol. II
In reading the history of nations, we find that, like individuals, they have their whims and their peculiarities; their seasons of excitement and recklessness, when they care not what they do. We find that whole communities suddenly fix their minds upon one object, and go mad in its pursuit; that millions of people become simultaneously impressed with one delusion, and run after it, till their attention is caught by some new folly more captivating than the first. We see one nation suddenly seized, from its highest to its lowest members, with a fierce desire of military glory; another as suddenly becoming crazed upon a religious scruple, and neither of them recovering its senses until it has shed rivers of blood and sowed a harvest of groans and tears, to be reaped by its posterity. At an early age in the annals of Europe its population lost their wits about the Sepulchre of Jesus, and crowded in frenzied multitudes to the Holy Land: another age went mad for fear of the Devil, and offered up hundreds of thousands of victims to the delusion of witchcraft. At another time, the many became crazed on the subject of the Philosopher's Stone, and committed follies till then unheard of in the pursuit. It was once thought a venial offence in very many countries of Europe to destroy an enemy by slow poison. Persons who would have revolted at the idea of stabbing a man to the heart, drugged his pottage without scruple. Ladies of gentle birth and manners caught the contagion of murder, until poisoning, under their auspices, became quite fashionable. Some delusions, though notorious to all the world, have subsisted for ages, flourishing as widely among civilized and polished nations as among the early barbarians with whom they originated, -- that of duelling, for instance, and the belief in omens and divination of the future, which seem to defy the progress of knowledge to eradicate entirely from the popular mind. Money, again, has often been a cause of the delusion of multitudes. Sober nations have all at once become desperate gamblers, and risked almost their existence upon the turn of a piece of paper. To trace the history of the most prominent of these delusions is the object of the present pages. Men, it has been well said, think in herds; it will be seen that they go mad in herds, while they only recover their senses slowly, and one by one.
“Nations, like individuals, cannot become desperate gamblers with impunity. Punishment is sure to overtake them sooner or later.”
― Charles MacKay, Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds
He emphasized the significance of self-awareness and critical thinking in avoiding falling victim to these delusions. Mackay's work remains highly regarded to this day and is considered a classic in the field of social psychology. His observations and analysis of popular delusions and manias offer valuable insights into the behavior of individuals and societies. Through his writings, he continues to serve as a diviner, helping readers better understand the complexities of human nature and the power of collective beliefs..
Reviews for "The Extraordinary Life of Charles Mackay: From Writer to Diviner"
1. John Smith - 1 out of 5 stars - "I was incredibly disappointed with Charles Mackay's book 'Diviner'. I found the writing style to be dry and tedious, making it difficult to engage with the plot and characters. The story itself was incredibly slow-paced, with very little action or excitement to keep me hooked. Additionally, I felt that the author relied too heavily on cliches and predictable plot twists, making the whole reading experience feel unoriginal and uninspired. Overall, I would not recommend 'Diviner' to anyone looking for a captivating and enjoyable read."
2. Sarah Johnson - 2 out of 5 stars - "While I thought the concept of 'Diviner' was interesting, I couldn't help but feel let down by the execution. The writing lacked depth and failed to fully immerse me in the story. The characters were poorly developed and lacked complexity, making it hard to care about their fate. Furthermore, the pacing was inconsistent, with long stretches of repetitive dialogue and unnecessary descriptions. Overall, I found 'Diviner' to be a disappointing read that didn't live up to its potential."
3. Emma Thompson - 1 out of 5 stars - "I couldn't make it through 'Diviner' without feeling bored and uninterested. The plot was confusing and poorly explained, leaving me with more questions than answers. The characters were flat and lacked depth, making it difficult to form any emotional connection. The writing style was inconsistent and choppy, with awkward sentence structures and grammatical errors. Overall, I found 'Diviner' to be an underwhelming and forgettable read."
4. Michael Brown - 2 out of 5 stars - "I found 'Diviner' to be a mediocre book that failed to captivate me. The writing lacked finesse and the pacing was slow, making it a struggle to stay engaged. The characters were unlikable and their motivations were unclear. The plot twists felt forced and predictable, removing any sense of suspense or surprise. Overall, I was left disappointed by 'Diviner' and wouldn't recommend it to others."
5. Jennifer Davis - 1 out of 5 stars - "In my opinion, 'Diviner' was a complete waste of time. The story felt disjointed and poorly thought out, with random plot points and undeveloped ideas. The dialogue was stilted and unrealistic, making it hard to connect with the characters. Additionally, the writing style was uninteresting and lacked creativity. Overall, I found 'Diviner' to be a forgettable and unenjoyable read."