Greetings from idiot America: great article

[smolakian]

Greetings from idiot America

Nothing really that new. But, it puts the crucifixion of intellectualism in our country into perspective. The biggest problem I've had in the past 7 years with our country is the lack of logic, reasoning and science in our legislators decision making processes...from all parties.

It's a long article but worth it.

[Steepdeepnlong]

A quote from the article:

"We've been attacked," he says, "by the intelligent, educated segment of the culture."


We're in trouble.

[BigKuba]

My employer is on the idiot wagon. I'm grateful that they're looking out for me:

"[Link] is blocked by the web filter software because it is categorized as Provocative"

Ok, so it's actually "Provocative Attire"

[smitchell333]

You mean that we DIDN'T ride dinosaurs?




YOU just dont have FAITH.

[smolakian]

Here ya go....the EXACT same thought process in action:

Rove: Bush’s critics are ’snobs’ who hate his ‘common sense.’

In his interview with Rush Limbaugh this afternoon, Karl Rove claimed that the people criticizing Bush are “sort of elite, effete snobs who can’t hold a candle to this guy. What they don’t like about him is that he is common sense, that he is Middle America.” Limbaugh suggest that Bush critics are frustrated the the President “outsmarts ‘em.” Rove argued Bush is far more intelligent than people give him credit for, and is “one of the best-read people I’ve ever met” whose “passion is history.” Listen to a portion of the interview:

[mrryde]

My employer is on the idiot wagon. I'm grateful that they're looking out for me:

"[Link] is blocked by the web filter software because it is categorized as Provocative"

Ok, so it's actually "Provocative Attire"

my company too

Entertainment/Recreation/Hobbies;Provocative Attire

[smolakian]

my company too

Entertainment/Recreation/Hobbies;Provocative Attire

I'm so glad I don't work for a big company anymore....

Oh wait, even when I did, they sill weren't as obtuse to use web blocking software.

You guys do know that you can use a web proxy to get around that, right?
Take a look at this list:
http://www.squidoo.com/webproxy/
^^^
hopefully not blocked for you

[freshie247]

I know I'm thrilled to live under an admin who bases it's philosophy & assessment of the world off of the FLINTSTONES! Barney Rubble as The Prez,Fred Flintstone as the VP, I guess that means Rove is Gazoo!Their heads sure do look alike!

Logic is an extremely distant 2nd to zealous adherence to party doctorine. The Majority of all imbeciles in this admin were given there positions because of their willingness to dispence & even spit on logic in deference to the party line.Know nothing , but will blindly follow orders, sure, you can be in charge of the reconstruction of Iraq, or in charge of FEMA ,or Attorney General,...etc!

I wish I saw more humor in how insanely warped & ignorant the majority of the people in our government are.Unfortunately I find no solice in it.

[smolakian]

I wish I saw more humor in how insanely warped & ignorant the majority of the people in our country are.Unfortunately I find no solice in it.

Fixed it for you.

[mr_gyptian]

Greetings from idiot America

Nothing really that new. But, it puts the crucifixion of intellectualism in our country into perspective. The biggest problem I've had in the past 7 years with our country is the lack of logic, reasoning and science in our legislators decision making processes...from all parties.

It's a long article but worth it.

that article is disturbing. but if you want truly disturbing. read the chapter entitled "Why Drug Dealers still live with their Mom" in Freakanomics.

Say what you will about the people in that article, but atleast they are productive members of society.

[freshie247]

Fantastic article, that really puts it into perspective. " So there we stand in Idiot America, brainless & dickless like Adam at the creationist museum."

[Jer]

Good article. Sadly, they left out the biggest load of crap faith-based bullshit new religion to come out in the past century - GLOBAL WARMING!!!.

Waitaminute - why am I not sinking to the lowest common denominator here?

Goddamn I'm an enlightened son of a bitch. Not at all like the unwashed masses. And I'm not pretentious in the least.

Fixed it for ya.

[SuperGaper]

that article is disturbing. but if you want truly disturbing. read the chapter entitled "Why Drug Dealers still live with their Mom" in Freakanomics.

Say what you will about the people in that article, but atleast they are productive members of society.

Freakanomics rules! So does "The Tipping Point".

I don't know why people believe all this science mumbo jumbo, merely Satan's obfuscations.

Rove is a clever bastard at playing populist politics all the while lining the pockets of the wealthy with largest tax cuts of all.

I always wanted a leader who was smarter than me, not just like me. Are Bush's stealth smarts and interest in History what prompted him to lead us into an intractable conflict in an ethnically divided country thousands of miles away?

[Roo]

That was meant to be one of those little countries you could put up against the wall.

[smolakian]

Good article. Sadly, they left out the biggest load of crap faith-based bullshit new religion to come out in the past century - GLOBAL WARMING!!!.

Waitaminute - why am I not sinking to the lowest common denominator here?


Fixed it for ya.

Thanks for reaffirming the point of the article.

[SuperGaper]

For a great examination of the U.S.'s attempt at "failed state reconstruction" you should read "Imperial Life in the Emerald City: Life in the Green Zone". It's themes dovetail nicely with that of the Esquire article- gut feelings, political expediency and misplaced ideology trump identifying actual problems and needs and supplying the expertise to solve them.
I'm down with good old American know how, but that has to include scientific and analytic expertise as well as simple good hard work.

[Buster Highmen]

Are Bush's stealth smarts and interest in History what prompted him to lead us into an intractable conflict in an ethnically divided country thousands of miles away?

Let's not forget the country a lot closer under the same effects.

[Jer]

Thanks for reaffirming the point of the article.

and I wonder why this country is fucked

[thephatkid]

great article

i live like 20min from that museum, snowrider4life and myself will try do a TR from the Creation Museum that'll be fun.

[smolakian]

For a great examination of the U.S.'s attempt at "failed state reconstruction" you should read "Imperial Life in the Emerald City: Life in the Green Zone". It's themes dovetail nicely with that of the Esquire article- gut feelings, political expediency and misplaced ideology trump identifying actual problems and needs and supplying the expertise to solve them.
I'm down with good old American know how, but that has to include scientific and analytic expertise as well as simple good hard work.

True. Sounds like a good read.

I guess one of the biggest points that the article makes is the effect of the internet and mass media on public perception of fact and expertise. The internet had given everyone a voice. But, the effect of that is a much lower signal-to-noise ratio.

Also, anyone who espouses the ideas of science and reason as decision making tools, are called overeducated snobs. The same people decry anyone that refuses to use any one faith based philosophy as a jumping off point for public policy as a hate monger. I'm a Christian and I acknowledge that there is a place for it in society. But, reason and logic NOT faith should steer a society when the outcomes of these decisions affect everyone regardless of what they believe.

[Steepdeepnlong]

Say what you will about the people in that article, but at least they are productive members of society.

Maybe we're talking about different people, but the ones I read about are not productive, they are tearing down the fabric of our culture and taking this country down a rat hole. Just because they are "active" doesn't mean they're productive.

[smolakian]

and I wonder why this country is fucked

You don't know shit about me or my politics.


I realize that I'm just baiting you. So, this is the only thing that I'm gonna say. I haven't heard a single thing from you on this board anywhere that demonstrates your ability to have a rational conversation. Everything you say is pretty much trolling bullshit without reason or purpose to back it up. I know you are looking for a flame war to get off on and reading this post is probably getting you all hot and bothered. Have fun with yourself.

[Lonnie]

My employer is on the idiot wagon. I'm grateful that they're looking out for me:

"[Link] is blocked by the web filter software because it is categorized as Provocative"

Ok, so it's actually "Provocative Attire"

The content is categorized as: Entertainment/Recreation/Hobbies;Provocative Attire

Do we have the same employer?

[Cliff Huckable]

For a great examination of the U.S.'s attempt at "failed state reconstruction" you should read "Imperial Life in the Emerald City: Life in the Green Zone". It's themes dovetail nicely with that of the Esquire article- gut feelings, political expediency and misplaced ideology trump identifying actual problems and needs and supplying the expertise to solve them.
I'm down with good old American know how, but that has to include scientific and analytic expertise as well as simple good hard work.

Didn't that used to be pretty much the definition of American know-how?
You know, pre-Bible revival.

The real problem in the US is the education system. Very, very, little emphasis on critical thinking, adoration of authority (rather than questioning authority), etc.
Students are trained to be workers and consumers (as was the plan so many years ago, thanks to Rockefeller and pals), not to be thinkers.

[BigKuba]

Do we have the same employer?

Mine only said "Provocative Attire." Central NJ (thankfully only for another month or two)?

Same internet fun filter perhaps?