Darwin Awards
Fatal foolishness recognition
Darwin Awards are mock honors given to people who supposedly improve the human gene pool by removing themselves from it through their own spectacularly foolish actions—typically dying or becoming sterile through preventable stupidity.
The concept, named after evolutionist Charles Darwin, spread as internet humor in the 1990s.
Stories are often apocryphal or embellished: He won a Darwin Award for trying to bungee jump with regular rope.
The term implies dark amusement at fatal idiocy rather than sympathy.
Unwise conduct
- stupidityLack of intelligence
- idiocyExtreme mental deficiency
- negligenceFailure to exercise care
- imprudenceUnwise decision-making
misjudgment · senselessness · irrationality · poor judgment · carelessness · hubris · overconfidence · bravado
Death from accident
- demiseCessation of existence
- accidentUnintended harmful event
- tragedyDisastrous or sorrowful event
- catastropheDevastating, large-scale misfortune
casualty · mishap · disaster · mortality · elimination · gene pool · natural selection · freak accident
Joking about grim subjects
- schadenfreudeDelight in others' misfortune
- ironyMeaning opposite to words
- satireMockery exposing vice
- cautionary taleStory illustrating consequences
anecdotes · mockery · ridicule · absurdity · tragicomedy · black comedy · sardonic · cringe humor
Recognition without top placement
- nomineesThose proposed for selection
- winnersThose who prevail
- disqualificationRemoval from eligibility
- urban legendUnverified viral story
verified · unconfirmed · website · book series · Hall of Fame · submission · legendary · infamous
foolishness
Unwise conduct
- stupidityLack of intelligence
- idiocyExtreme mental deficiency
- negligenceFailure to exercise care
imprudence · misjudgment · senselessness · irrationality · poor judgment · carelessness · hubris · overconfidence · bravado · daredevil
fatality
Death from accident
catastrophe · casualty · mishap · disaster · mortality · elimination · gene pool · natural selection · freak accident · accidental death
gallows humor
Joking about grim subjects
- schadenfreudeDelight in others' misfortune
- ironyMeaning opposite to words
- satireMockery exposing vice
cautionary tale · anecdotes · mockery · ridicule · absurdity · tragicomedy · black comedy · sardonic · cringe humor · tasteless
honorable mention
Recognition without top placement
- nomineesThose proposed for selection
- winnersThose who prevail
- disqualificationRemoval from eligibility
urban legend · verified · unconfirmed · website · book series · Hall of Fame · submission · legendary · infamous · notoriety
Darwin Awardssurvival instinct
Inborn drive to live
self-preservation · reproductive success · survival skills · common sense · prudence
Darwin AwardsMensa
Intelligence-based membership organization
Nobel Prize · wisdom · brilliance · stroke of genius · masterstroke
Darwin AwardsNobel Prize
Highest academic honor
Pulitzer Prize · Medal of Honor · lifetime achievement award · heroism awards · knighthood
Darwin, award, awards, Darwinian, Darwinism, Darwinist, awarded, awarding, awardee