In a world where AI is getting smarter every single week, feeling stupid might be the best thing that ever happens to you.

The word “stupid” doesn’t actually mean what you think.

It comes from the Latin stupidus—meaning “struck senseless” or “amazed.” That frozen, wide-eyed moment when our ancestors first saw lightning or fire? That was “stupid.” The Korean word “babo” carries the same spirit—a warm, affectionate way of saying “you lovable idiot,” said with a smile.

This book is about reclaiming that original meaning.

As artificial intelligence becomes the smartest entity on Earth, every human is going to feel stupid by comparison. For the first time in history, we no longer need to carry the exhausting burden of trying to look smart. AI can do the heavy thinking — the research, the analysis, the memory. That frees us to do what humans were always meant to do: stay curious, playful, light, and amazed.

Stupid Is the New Smart is your guide to dropping the performance of intelligence and embracing the babo mindset—the willingness to say “I don’t know”, to stay open and curious instead of defensive and clever.

You’ll discover why overthinking and image management are quietly destroying people’s happiness, and how letting go of that fear unlocks speed, creativity, better relationships, and genuine peace of mind.

Drawing from history, psychology, real-world examples, and the latest breakthroughs in AI, this book shows you exactly why the people who are most comfortable looking stupid are the ones who will thrive in the age of superintelligence.

This isn’t about becoming dumber.

It’s about finally being free.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a parent, a creative, or simply someone tired of feeling anxious about not knowing enough—this book will show you how to live lighter, move faster, and actually enjoy the future that’s coming.