This is why I cringe when I hear all the right-wing propaganda proclaiming that "the people have spoken" with regards to the CA recall or the boycott against "The Reagans". Yeah, "spoken" my ass! More like programmed. [And yes, I do have a very low opinion of the masses and their cognitive abilities!]
People sleepwalk through life and repeat talking points like drones. Scary.
Powerdoc - I agree that it's all relative to some degree, but frankly there are some things which even an "undereducated" person should know. All these things require is say a 7th grade education at most (depending on the topic).
Example: my Grandfather was a very bright man... he exited school at the 5th grade (he had to work to help his family) and from there on out, was a voracious reader because he took an interest in his own mind. He made sure that he "knew a little something", even though he didn't have the money for "fancy book learnin'".
I just do not for one second buy the "oh, it's our educational system" or "oh, not everyone can afford college" BS. If you don't understand something that seems like it's basic / important to understand, go to the damn public library, sit down for 20 minutes, and READ. Or better yet, get on the library internet computer and do a Google search. That way you won't have to learn the Dewey Decimal System.
Moogs, my point was not to say that everything is relative, even if it's the case, my point was to say that we should not be arrogant because we know more than many others.
However, it's important that the average level of people increase. Some scientist in France have expressed their fear recently in front of the lack of scientific culture among the population.
The world is becoming more and more complex, and just knowing to read, add and multiply is not anymore sufficiant. If people do not understand the basic issues in economy, we should not be surprised to see some silly politicians gain popularity by expressing opinions that are in adequation with the fears, anger, expectation of the voters, but in contradiction with the reality.
Yes the average level of culture is important for any countrie, especially in a democratia, where the power is shared.
Paradoxaly, a greater culture do not mean necessary the regression of extremism, recents examples have shown that it was not the case. I will only cite the terrorist involved in 9/11 : they had a good education.
I think that the average person in any country is scientifically brain dead. But we?re here to bash the US so have at it..
C'mon. It's a great country, but they are thicker over there, just like they're fatter.
Not all Americans. Some are really clever. Some are really thin. Even you (although you can't spell, and it seems like you rarely read a thread), even you are smarterer than tha averij in any country.
Only in America have I heard:
Burger Flipper: "Where you from?"
Harald: "Well, the UK right now."
BF: "Is that near London?"
and I've met manual workers in many, many countries.
C'mon. It's a great country, but they are thicker over there, just like they're fatter.
Not all Americans. Some are really clever. Some are really thin. Even you (although you can't spell, and it seems like you rarely read a thread), even you are smarterer than tha averij in any country.
Only in America have I heard:
Burger Flipper: "Where you from?"
Harald: "Well, the UK right now."
BF: "Is that near London?"
and I've met manual workers in many, many countries.
Given that most Americans do not travel to foreign countries like our counterparts in other countries do, we tend to be horribly ignorant, as a people, regarding foreign cultures, customs and history. Which, frankly, makes us ill-suited to be a world-leading nation.
Given that most Americans don't even understand the difference between "theory" in science and the colloquial use, we end up with imbeciles trying to pull real science out of schools -- like evolution -- and substitute made up mythological nonsense -- like creationism. That's a pathetic reality for such an "advanced" country.
Given that most Americans don't even understand the difference between "theory" in science and the colloquial use, we end up with imbeciles trying to pull real science out of schools -- like evolution -- and substitute made up mythological nonsense -- like creationism. That's a pathetic reality for such an "advanced" country.
Like, say, the president? Yeah, it is pretty scary.
OT: Hey Kirkland, you live in Dallas? I was there for my graduate work. I miss Uncle Julios.
not to pick on some among our southern neighbours without justification,
but it does seem that America is the primary, if not sole repository of folks who believe:
humans have never landed on the moon.
(nobody else disputes this except North Korea, yet FOX makes it a tv special).
"intelligent design"/creationism deserves equal time in classrooms with evolution.
AI's own FireSide Chats have gone dozens of pages over this one.
Only in the USA does it seem there are people willing to push school boards over this.
madame cleo/john edwards/miscellaneous-late-night-psychic speaks with the dead or knows all.
though, admittedly, we have the same kind of gullible television sheep here.
Televangelists (Billy Graham/Fallwell/Robertson/Bakker) talk personally with God and relay messages, including that the Omnipotent one needs cash... from elderly pensioners.
"Iraq is/was an imminent threat to use its massive stockpiles of WMD". oh wait.
perhaps the next portrait on US currency should be P.T. Barnum.
C'mon. It's a great country, but they are thicker over there, just like they're fatter.
Not all Americans. Some are really clever. Some are really thin. Even you (although you can't spell, and it seems like you rarely read a thread), even you are smarterer than tha averij in any country.
Only in America have I heard:
Burger Flipper: "Where you from?"
Harald: "Well, the UK right now."
BF: "Is that near London?"
and I've met manual workers in many, many countries.
Right back on topic. Good for you. I'll join in.
'mericans are dumb and fat and lazy and stoopid. Your write. I new this 'merican one time that though africa was a place in the south east. He was so dumb he thought London was a place in Canada.
The counter example being when I was at Fermilab. I met some german "scientists" that seemed to not know how to convert angle measured in degrees to radians. They didn't seem to even know what a "radian" is. These are "college" educated people.
Can we start a "Germans are fat and dumb" thread now?
I know we're a democracy and all, but we really should take a look at "right to vote" issues.
If you can't name me the three branches of government and the purpose of each (I bet more than 50% of voters cannot)... if you can't describe the difference between "left wing" and "right wing"... if you want evolution to be removed from school curricula (as opposed to being "another view taught")... if you don't know how long it takes for the earth to make one revolution around the sun... etc, etc. THEN YOU SHOULDN'T GET TO VOTE. Rich or poor, black or white or brown, male or female, old or young.
Don't worry about it Moogs. The stupid people already don't vote.
Plus the Catholic Church is headed by a Pol and is run out of Italy. So what does tell us?
That a man from the land that raised Coepernicus, broke the Enigma code before WWII even started, and has[had] a lot of coal runs the show in a principality surrounded by a state where a former porn star is in the senate.
Well, that's one take on the question.
And if you want to talk dumb. . . European electrical engineers. The educational system in europe must suck.
Like, say, the president? Yeah, it is pretty scary.
OT: Hey Kirkland, you live in Dallas? I was there for my graduate work. I miss Uncle Julios.
Yes, I live in Dallas (for now, sadly). I work at Southern Methodist University, and will graduate from there next December. I am then hoping to move the hell out of this town to get to a place with a far lower Southern Baptists-To-Human ratio.
Never been to Uncle Julios. I will miss the Burger House, Kuby's, Kirby's Steakhouse, JR's, Amoré's and S&D Oyster Bar.
Yes, I live in Dallas (for now, sadly). I work at Southern Methodist University, and will graduate from there next December. I am then hoping to move the hell out of this town to get to a place with a far lower Southern Baptists-To-Human ratio.
Never been to Uncle Julios. I will miss the Burger House, Kuby's, Kirby's Steakhouse, JR's, Amoré's and S&D Oyster Bar.
I hope you do not find yourself any "better" than a Southern Baptist who would say "I hope to move the hell out of this town to get to a place with a far lower gay-to-Human ratio.
Do you think before you post?
If a Southern Baptist were to say such a statement I would have a very low opinion of the individual for saying such a statement. As I have a low opinion of your statement.
The difference being no one has to lower themselves to being in a fundamentalist religion, meanwhile no one chooses their sexuality. And unlike them, I don't go around trying to undermine their equality and civil rights.
The difference being no one has to lower themselves to being in a fundamentalist religion, meanwhile no one chooses their sexuality. And unlike them, I don't go around trying to undermine their equality and civil rights.
I want you to know that I respect your private life. I sent you a PM. I just ask for people to stop the non-stop insults in all directions.
Comments
People sleepwalk through life and repeat talking points like drones. Scary.
Originally posted by Moogs
Powerdoc - I agree that it's all relative to some degree, but frankly there are some things which even an "undereducated" person should know. All these things require is say a 7th grade education at most (depending on the topic).
Example: my Grandfather was a very bright man... he exited school at the 5th grade (he had to work to help his family) and from there on out, was a voracious reader because he took an interest in his own mind. He made sure that he "knew a little something", even though he didn't have the money for "fancy book learnin'".
I just do not for one second buy the "oh, it's our educational system" or "oh, not everyone can afford college" BS. If you don't understand something that seems like it's basic / important to understand, go to the damn public library, sit down for 20 minutes, and READ. Or better yet, get on the library internet computer and do a Google search. That way you won't have to learn the Dewey Decimal System.
Moogs, my point was not to say that everything is relative, even if it's the case, my point was to say that we should not be arrogant because we know more than many others.
However, it's important that the average level of people increase. Some scientist in France have expressed their fear recently in front of the lack of scientific culture among the population.
The world is becoming more and more complex, and just knowing to read, add and multiply is not anymore sufficiant. If people do not understand the basic issues in economy, we should not be surprised to see some silly politicians gain popularity by expressing opinions that are in adequation with the fears, anger, expectation of the voters, but in contradiction with the reality.
Yes the average level of culture is important for any countrie, especially in a democratia, where the power is shared.
Paradoxaly, a greater culture do not mean necessary the regression of extremism, recents examples have shown that it was not the case. I will only cite the terrorist involved in 9/11 : they had a good education.
Originally posted by Scott
I think that the average person in any country is scientifically brain dead. But we?re here to bash the US so have at it..
C'mon. It's a great country, but they are thicker over there, just like they're fatter.
Not all Americans. Some are really clever. Some are really thin. Even you (although you can't spell, and it seems like you rarely read a thread), even you are smarterer than tha averij in any country.
Only in America have I heard:
Burger Flipper: "Where you from?"
Harald: "Well, the UK right now."
BF: "Is that near London?"
and I've met manual workers in many, many countries.
Originally posted by Harald
C'mon. It's a great country, but they are thicker over there, just like they're fatter.
Not all Americans. Some are really clever. Some are really thin. Even you (although you can't spell, and it seems like you rarely read a thread), even you are smarterer than tha averij in any country.
Only in America have I heard:
Burger Flipper: "Where you from?"
Harald: "Well, the UK right now."
BF: "Is that near London?"
and I've met manual workers in many, many countries.
Hooley
Given that most Americans don't even understand the difference between "theory" in science and the colloquial use, we end up with imbeciles trying to pull real science out of schools -- like evolution -- and substitute made up mythological nonsense -- like creationism. That's a pathetic reality for such an "advanced" country.
Originally posted by Kirkland
Given that most Americans don't even understand the difference between "theory" in science and the colloquial use, we end up with imbeciles trying to pull real science out of schools -- like evolution -- and substitute made up mythological nonsense -- like creationism. That's a pathetic reality for such an "advanced" country.
Like, say, the president? Yeah, it is pretty scary.
OT: Hey Kirkland, you live in Dallas? I was there for my graduate work. I miss Uncle Julios.
Originally posted by Nordstrodamus
Like, say, the president? Yeah, it is pretty scary.
OT: Hey Kirkland, you live in Dallas? I was there for my graduate work. I miss Uncle Julios.
Uncle Julios is the BEST!
Fellows
but it does seem that America is the primary, if not sole repository of folks who believe:
humans have never landed on the moon.
(nobody else disputes this except North Korea, yet FOX makes it a tv special).
"intelligent design"/creationism deserves equal time in classrooms with evolution.
AI's own FireSide Chats have gone dozens of pages over this one.
Only in the USA does it seem there are people willing to push school boards over this.
madame cleo/john edwards/miscellaneous-late-night-psychic speaks with the dead or knows all.
though, admittedly, we have the same kind of gullible television sheep here.
Televangelists (Billy Graham/Fallwell/Robertson/Bakker) talk personally with God and relay messages, including that the Omnipotent one needs cash... from elderly pensioners.
"Iraq is/was an imminent threat to use its massive stockpiles of WMD". oh wait.
perhaps the next portrait on US currency should be P.T. Barnum.
Originally posted by Harald
C'mon. It's a great country, but they are thicker over there, just like they're fatter.
Not all Americans. Some are really clever. Some are really thin. Even you (although you can't spell, and it seems like you rarely read a thread), even you are smarterer than tha averij in any country.
Only in America have I heard:
Burger Flipper: "Where you from?"
Harald: "Well, the UK right now."
BF: "Is that near London?"
and I've met manual workers in many, many countries.
Right back on topic. Good for you. I'll join in.
'mericans are dumb and fat and lazy and stoopid. Your write. I new this 'merican one time that though africa was a place in the south east. He was so dumb he thought London was a place in Canada.
The counter example being when I was at Fermilab. I met some german "scientists" that seemed to not know how to convert angle measured in degrees to radians. They didn't seem to even know what a "radian" is. These are "college" educated people.
Can we start a "Germans are fat and dumb" thread now?
Originally posted by Moogs
I know we're a democracy and all, but we really should take a look at "right to vote" issues.
If you can't name me the three branches of government and the purpose of each (I bet more than 50% of voters cannot)... if you can't describe the difference between "left wing" and "right wing"... if you want evolution to be removed from school curricula (as opposed to being "another view taught")... if you don't know how long it takes for the earth to make one revolution around the sun... etc, etc. THEN YOU SHOULDN'T GET TO VOTE. Rich or poor, black or white or brown, male or female, old or young.
Don't worry about it Moogs. The stupid people already don't vote.
Originally posted by Scott
Can we start a "Germans are fat and dumb" thread now?
Have you seen what they eat in Germany? It's sausages and beer all day!
God I wish I lived in Germany
Originally posted by tonton
It's not only Americans who are scientifically retarded. The Catholic Church thinks condoms help spread AIDS.
Don't be an idiot. The Catholic church thinks condoms increase promiscuity, which in turn helps AIDS spread.
Sorry for the digression, but it seems as though even some on AI don't know the facts.
Originally posted by Scott
Plus the Catholic Church is headed by a Pol and is run out of Italy. So what does tell us?
That a man from the land that raised Coepernicus, broke the Enigma code before WWII even started, and has[had] a lot of coal runs the show in a principality surrounded by a state where a former porn star is in the senate.
Well, that's one take on the question.
And if you want to talk dumb. . . European electrical engineers. The educational system in europe must suck.
[i]Originally posted by Splinemodel
And if you want to talk dumb. . . European electrical engineers. The educational system in europe must suck.
I am not a mod and I see the smiley face but come on with the insults....
I do have a sense of humor and all but this thread has really turned down an awful path.
Fellowship
Originally posted by Nordstrodamus
Like, say, the president? Yeah, it is pretty scary.
OT: Hey Kirkland, you live in Dallas? I was there for my graduate work. I miss Uncle Julios.
Yes, I live in Dallas (for now, sadly). I work at Southern Methodist University, and will graduate from there next December. I am then hoping to move the hell out of this town to get to a place with a far lower Southern Baptists-To-Human ratio.
Never been to Uncle Julios. I will miss the Burger House, Kuby's, Kirby's Steakhouse, JR's, Amoré's and S&D Oyster Bar.
Originally posted by Kirkland
Yes, I live in Dallas (for now, sadly). I work at Southern Methodist University, and will graduate from there next December. I am then hoping to move the hell out of this town to get to a place with a far lower Southern Baptists-To-Human ratio.
Never been to Uncle Julios. I will miss the Burger House, Kuby's, Kirby's Steakhouse, JR's, Amoré's and S&D Oyster Bar.
I hope you do not find yourself any "better" than a Southern Baptist who would say "I hope to move the hell out of this town to get to a place with a far lower gay-to-Human ratio.
Do you think before you post?
If a Southern Baptist were to say such a statement I would have a very low opinion of the individual for saying such a statement. As I have a low opinion of your statement.
Fellowship
Originally posted by Kirkland
The difference being no one has to lower themselves to being in a fundamentalist religion, meanwhile no one chooses their sexuality. And unlike them, I don't go around trying to undermine their equality and civil rights.
I want you to know that I respect your private life. I sent you a PM. I just ask for people to stop the non-stop insults in all directions.
With all due respect,
Fellowship