SKU: 28754518122

Fool Proof: How Fear of Playing the Sucker Shapes Our Selves and the Social Order―and What We Can Do About It (Hardcover)

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Fool Proof: How Fear of Playing the Sucker Shapes Our Selves and the Social Order―and What We Can Do About It (Hardcover)The fear of playing the fool is a universal psychological phenomenon and an underappreciated driver of human behavior; in the spirit of Malcolm Gladwells Blink, Dan Arielys Predictably Irrational, and Susan Cains Quiet, Fool Proof tracks the implications of the sucker construct from personal choices to cultural conflict, ultimately charting an unexpected and empowering path forward. In the American moral vernacular, we have a whole thesaurus for

The fear of playing the fool is a universal psychological phenomenon and an underappreciated driver of human behavior; in the spirit of Malcolm Gladwell’s Blink, Dan Ariely’s Predictably Irrational, and Susan Cain’s Quiet, Fool Proof tracks the implications of the sucker construct from personal choices to cultural conflict, ultimately charting an unexpected and empowering path forward.

In the American moral vernacular, we have a whole thesaurus for victims of exploitation. They are suckers (born every minute), fools (not suffered gladly), dupes, marks, chumps, pawns, and losers. Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. Cultural stories about suckers abound too: the Trojan Horse, the Boy Who Cried Wolf, the Emperor’s New Clothes, even Hansel and Gretel. If you believe that, I have a bridge to sell you. Don’t go out with him; he only wants one thing. The fear of playing the fool is not just a descriptive fact; it is a prescriptive theme: Don’t let that be you.

Most of us are constantly navigating two sets of imperatives: how to be successful and how to be good. The fear of being suckered whispers that you can’t do both, operating as a quiet caution against leaps of faith and acts of altruism. University of Pennsylvania law professor and moral psychologist Tess Wilkinson-Ryan brings evidence from studies in psychology, sociology, and economics to show how the sucker construct shapes, and distorts, human decision-making.

Fool Proof offers the first in-depth analysis of the sucker’s game as implicit worldview, drawing evidence everywhere from grocery shopping to international trade deals, from road rage to #MeToo. Offering real-world puzzles and stories, Wilkinson-Ryan explores what kinds of hustles feel like scams and which ones feel like business as usual, who gets pegged as suckers and who gets lauded as saints. She takes deep dives into areas like the psychology of stereotyping, the history of ethnic slurs, and the economics of the family—and shows how the threat of being suckered is deployed to perpetuate social and economic hierarchies.

Ultimately, Fool Proof argues that the goal is not so much to spot the con as to renegotiate its meaning. The fear of being suckered can be weaponized to disrupt cooperation and trust, but it can also be defused and reframed to make space for moral agency and social progress. Facing the fear of being suckered head-on means deciding for ourselves what risks to take, what relationships to invest in, when to share, and when to protest—drafting a new template for how to live with integrity in a sucker’s world.

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SKU: 28754518122

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New York, US
★★★★★ 5
Top of the line, best pillows Ive ever had
Color: White-cooling Basic, Size: Queen(Pack of 2)
These pillows are top of the line! I bought them in 2024 and they are still fluffy. When they lose a little fluff, you just punch em around a little bit and voila, like new again. They have kept their shape cery well and do great for cooling. I haven't had to add more filling yet either. I just laid my head on one and thought, I need to do a review cause everytime i lay on these pillows its like clouds. My head is heavy and this is relief :-D
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Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2026
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Chelsea H.
Louisville, US
★★★★★ 3
Weird smell
Color: White-cooling Basic, Size: Queen(Pack of 2)
The pillows are great for someone looking for something cool and comfortable. We loved them so much that we bought a second pair. However, we were seriously disappointed with the odor of our last purchase. They give off a strong and indescribable chemical/burning plastic smell so nauseating that it’s difficult to sleep with. We’re hoping this issue will resolve with a couple more washes of the pillow cases, but am worried the source is the stuffing itself.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2026
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Ken Hill
Lowell, US
★★★★★ 5
helped treat my sore neck
Color: White-cooling Basic, Size: Camping Pillow(Pack of 1)
This pillow — after dialing in the right amount of shredded foam — has greatly helped my sore neck. Initially, I had to remove some foam. Then I gradually added foam until it reached optimum comfort and support. It is also CPAP-friendly — especially when I position my head near the pillow's edge. (I am a left-side sleeper.) I like the travel size because I use a bulky hugging pillow to ease stress on my shoulder and elbow. That makes my side of the bed feel cramped if using a larger head pillow. A smaller pillow is easy to flip end-to-end in the middle of the night. I have spent lots of money on pillows over the years, but this is the best I've ever had for relieving [1] neck pain and [2] CPAP mask seal problems. Very comfortable, supportive, and affordable. I did not notice any unpleasant smell — and I am usually sensitive to that kind of thing. Would highly recommend.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2026
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Molly Farrell
Carnegie, US
★★★★★ 5
Love them!
Color: White-cooling Basic, Size: Queen(Pack of 2)
Love them! After 10 years with our MyPillows, they finally lost their fluff. The reviews I read of the MyPillows of today were not good; they didn’t have as much filling as they used to. These pillows remind me of how fluffy our new MyPillows were 10 years ago!! You sink right into them and can mush them however and they stay. These are way cheaper than the Coop and it’s the same concept; add or remove the filling as needed. The cooling side is a huge plus too! You won’t be disappointed with these pillows!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2026
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ryguy
Los Angeles, US
★★★★★ 5
Soft and smooth cover
Color: Grey, Size: Body(20"X 54")
This is a nice pillow cover overall. The fabric feels good and it's comfortable to sleep on, especially compared to a more basic cotton cover. It is maybe a little thinner than I expected, so if you want something thick and heavy this probably isn't that. But for a soft smooth cover that fits and feels decent, I think it's worth it. No major complaints from me after using it.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2026

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