What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Praise of Folly
Desiderius Erasmus · Book · 2006
If you loved The Praise of Folly, start with Desinteligencia Artificial — a podcast on the same thread. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Praise of Folly across media.
If you loved the sharp, biting social commentary in The Praise of Folly, you will appreciate these masterfully satirical works.
Films on the same thread
Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan
Larry Charles · Film · 2006
Explores: Culture Clash, Fish-Out-of-Water, Satire of American Culture.
Like The Praise of Folly, this film uses a fish-out-of-water perspective to expose societal absurdities and deep-seated human prejudices through a lens of biting, uncomfortable irony.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Terry Jones · Film · 1975
Shares a thread with The Praise of Folly: Social Commentary.
This film echoes the intellectual playfulness of The Praise of Folly by utilizing absurdity and medieval parody to critique the rigid bureaucracy and human folly of its time.
Idiocracy
Film · 2006
Shares 2 threads with The Praise of Folly: Satire, Social Commentary.
Much like the observations in The Praise of Folly, this story uses a dystopian future to hold up a mirror to modern consumerism and the dangers of anti-intellectualism.
Life Is Beautiful
Roberto Benigni · Film · 1997
Explores: Father-Son Relationship, Imagination as Resistance, Innocence in Wartime.
While tonally distinct, this work captures the humanistic spirit found in The Praise of Folly, emphasizing how imagination serves as a vital tool for resisting systemic human cruelty.
Series on the same thread
The Office
Greg Daniels · Series · 2005
Explores: Office life, Everyday life, Eccentric characters.
The Office mirrors the observational wit of The Praise of Folly by finding profound social commentary within the mundane and often ridiculous interactions of everyday professional life.
30 Rock
Tina Fey · Series · 2006
Shares a thread with The Praise of Folly: Satire.
This series shares the satirical DNA of The Praise of Folly, skewering the egos and corporate culture of the entertainment industry with a sharp, cynical, and highly intelligent wit.
Brass Eye
Chris Morris · Series · 1997
Shares 2 threads with The Praise of Folly: Social Commentary, Satire.
Chris Morris delivers the same fearless critique of societal institutions found in The Praise of Folly, using a mockumentary format to expose the vanity of modern political life.
Absolutely Fabulous
Dawn French · Series · 1992
Shares a thread with The Praise of Folly: Satire.
This sitcom reflects the themes of vanity and excess explored in The Praise of Folly, portraying a world where selfish behavior is both a target and a source of humor.
Podcasts on the same thread
Desinteligencia Artificial
Podcast
Shares a thread with The Praise of Folly: Satire.
This podcast continues the tradition of The Praise of Folly by offering a modern, philosophical critique of technology and the decadence inherent in twenty-first-century societal structures.
The Joe Rogan Experience
Joe Rogan · Podcast · 2026
Explores: intellectual curiosity, unfiltered dialogue, lifestyle exploration.
This long-form dialogue format echoes the conversational, wide-ranging intellectual curiosity of The Praise of Folly, prioritizing unfiltered exploration of contemporary culture over conventional, polite discourse.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What was the original purpose of The Praise of Folly?
Erasmus wrote The Praise of Folly as a literary gem intended for the amusement of his learned friend, Sir Thomas More. The work serves as a humorous reflection of the world as it really is, offering readers a witty and wise perspective on human nature.
Is The Praise of Folly considered a humorous book?
Yes, The Praise of Folly is defined as a humorous book. It uses wit and wisdom to mirror the reality of the world, providing a refreshing take on human behavior that was originally crafted to entertain Sir Thomas More.
What kind of tone should I expect from The Praise of Folly?
The tone of The Praise of Folly is described as extremely refreshing, witty, and wise. As a humorous reflection of the world, it aims to present an honest look at life through a satirical lens, written specifically to amuse the author's close friend.
Who was the intended audience for The Praise of Folly?
The Praise of Folly was written by Desiderius Erasmus specifically for the amusement of his learned friend, Sir Thomas More. While it reflects the world as it really is for any reader, its primary inspiration was the intellectual companionship between the two men.