PatsFanInVa

And while we're on the subject:

It seems that the finding is that a "hierarchical individualist" mindset correlates with global warming denial.

A "communitarian" mindset correlates with acceptance of global warming.

Now, let's tie this to the tendency of conservatives to impugn the "intellectual elite."

Which is more elitist:

To claim that as a species, we are learning more and more, and should act accordingly, or

To claim that you and you alone really understand, because you're situated hierarchically above those who disagree, without regard to all data to the contrary on the subject matter at hand?

I think what makes conservatives "not elitist" is that they democratize this power to be "above those who rely on data."

PFnV

nabwong

Just wanted to chime in that both sides are flawed. Wanna get into it but not today. Today is a time for enjoying family and food and the beat down of the New York jests!

__________________
Belichick: Stats are for losers. Final scores are for winners.

Mrs.PatsFanInVa

Just a few personal observations....there are "smart" conservatives and there are "dumb" liberals....there are uneducated liberals and educated conservatives....there are female conservatives and there are black conservatives and there are gay conservatives...there are 60+ white males who are liberals...there are rich liberals and there are poor conservatives.

There are no absolutes - but what I've seen, personally, is that many conservatives tend to be fearful people - afraid someone's going to take some intangible or tangible thing away from them - afraid someone's got something they don't have or paid less for something or, god forbid, got it for nothing. Afraid that if some past beliefs turn out to be wrong that they've failed somehow. Afraid that if they change their mind about something they're not just growing into their future but that they're betraying their past. Afraid that someone's going to sneak in and take something away from them if they're not perpetually hyper-vigilant.

Just my two cents, of course.

PatsWSB47

The age of the earth being only thousands of years old is too bizarre even for his theory. Yet you bring up a lone wolf dynamic in him. Wouldn't it be ironic if he, on a personal level is guilty of denying evidence in the same fashion he claims his educated Republicans are?

Hebeill

I don't think it it has anything to do with "smart" or intellectual. Ive meet smart people who are conservatives who would vote for romney or bush. And conversely ive know people that have a high school education that believe in global warming, who see through the right wing bs ie lowering taxes solve all problems etc. Last week i was visiting some relatives, we were having a discussion about this exact topic. Sitting at the table was a smart intellectual with a degree from MIT in math, next to him was his daughter who is working on a MA in computer science. The daughter said she could teach people rational thinking through math and logic equations. Her father looked lovingly at her and said NO, you can't learn it, you either have it or don't. I sided with the smart intellectual with the degree from MIT. You either see that the far rights ideas about taxes, global warming, playing the poorly educated against the educated, class warfare, denial of evolution etc. or you don't. Of course i always say never say never, but for the most part from what ive seen has held true. I think its a combination of critical thinking, cynicism, (my first reaction to many situations is to ask myself who is gaining what) and experience.

BTW the conservative religious right would never tolerate any attempt to teach critical thinking in schools.

chicowalker

That can certainly be the case, but it's far from the norm, imo. When I was in college, many professors did a pretty good job of taking down folks who had the kind of attitudes you described. Some kept those attitudes, but I think that had more to do with their personalities than their educations. After all, there are plenty of people who are not educated and also dismiss any argument that doesn't fit their preconceived worldview.

Real World

Another terrible thread. No surprise it's from from the most partisan of partisans, who lives every second of every day as if every instant is a matter of "left vs right".

So basically what Frauders is saying is, how come all of you "other" people don't see Chief Warren as superior to you? Afterall, she knows sooooooo much more than the rest of us.

Haha, I just thought of John Kerry too. ahahahahahahaha....intellectuals.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


"The most difficult subjects can be explained to the most slow-witted man if he has not formed any idea of them already; but the simplest thing cannot be made clear to the most intelligent man if he is firmly persuaded that he knows already, without a shadow of doubt, what is laid before him."
Leo Tolstoy, 1897

Tunescribe

This reflects my view as well. When was the last time you've seen a conservative-type leader who was optimistic, forward-thinking and inspirational? They tend to be negative and entrenched.

I think "the American way" began to change after World War II. Values, morality and ethics were no longer universally black-and-white despite what fundamentalist religion continued to preach. Conservatives still cling righteously to religion because it is definitive, simple and absolute. It makes them what I call "pompously ignorant."

__________________

Beware ... The Patriot Attack Parrot!

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

PatsFanInVa

It's almost as if they're proud of their ignorance

IcyPatriot

This thread ...................