Anti-Intellectualism and the "Dumbing Down" of America

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  • josevolutionjosevolution Posts: 29,537
    jeffbr said:

    Apparently 1/4 of Americans don't know that the Earth orbits the Sun!?!?!? Wow.

    And the fact that only 74 percent of participants knew that the Earth revolved around the sun is perhaps less alarming than the fact that only 48 percent knew that humans evolved from earlier species of animals.

    Here’s the thing, though: Americans actually fared better than Europeans who took similar quizzes — at least when it came to the sun and Earth question. Only 66 percent of European Union residents answered that one correctly.

    You can add Bafoon to the list if bet $ he doesn't know any of those ?s
    jesus greets me looks just like me ....
  • polaris_xpolaris_x Posts: 13,559
    i remember traveling in africa with US medical students and I knew more about US geography and history then they did ... that was like 20 years ago ...
  • JC29856JC29856 Posts: 9,617
    edited December 2016
    Anyone find this article and the photos taken be the photographer odd?

    https://archive.is/U88oU
  • seanwon said:

    seanwon said:


    I said there's no trend of growing anti-intellectualism.

    Yeah, I don't know. I seem to hear a lot of Conservatives attacking education in recent years. Telling people college is a waste of time because the professors are all "commies", and they are teaching all our kids to be "Socialists". I don't recall hearing that talk 10 years ago, it seems to be a somewhat recent thing.

    I'm a recent college grad and have been talked down to in political discussion for the fact that I graduated college. I went to school for engineering, yet some people still insist that my political views all came from my liberal hippy socialist professors..
    Yup, and it is never too long into the debate before you hear the "just because you have an education doesn't mean you're smart" card.

    It's true though.
    Some people can tell you the square root of a pickle jar but can't open it.
    ok, this made me fucking :rofl:
    new album "Cigarettes" out Spring 2025!

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  • HughFreakingDillonHughFreakingDillon Posts: 36,982
    edited December 2016

    PJPOWER said:

    Shawshank said:
    That's pretty pathetic...wonder who the majority of them are voting for!?!?
    Well if your country is that chalk and block full of dumb people that you say it is and they all vote then Trump is your next POTUS.
    so back in July you were saying only dumb people would vote for Trump.....now he is your Jesus. When did that switch happen?
    new album "Cigarettes" out Spring 2025!

    www.headstonesband.com




  • PJPOWER said:

    Shawshank said:
    That's pretty pathetic...wonder who the majority of them are voting for!?!?
    Well if your country is that chalk and block full of dumb people that you say it is and they all vote then Trump is your next POTUS.
    so back in July you were saying only dumb people would vote for Trump.....now he is your Jesus. When did that switch happen?
    No switch.
    I think you misunderstand me sometimes. Earlier in July I was demonstrating how Trump can reach all people and he does a really good job at it. His campaign was brilliant. Even back in July I knew Trump would win and you all would have none of it. So this thread and some videos on here showing how dumb some people are, yes most of them probably voted for Trump. But I don't think all of his support was from people that dumb. There are even a few closet Trump voters on AMT that I don't think are dumb people.
    This jesus thing really has you confused -
    It's a satisfying thing for me to support and believe in a real person that others refuse to accept or believe in just like jesus.
    Trump is my jesus christ.
    Amen.
  • When I posted this article in the Trump thread https://newrepublic.com/article/134667/conservatives-groomed-perfect-suckers-trumps-epic-scam
    I wasn't sure if it belonged here but I thought of this thread.
    There’s another factor at work here: The anti-intellectualism that has been a mainstay of the conservative movement for decades also makes its members easy marks. After all, if you are taught to believe that the reigning scientific consensuses on evolution and climate change are lies, then you will lack the elementary logical skills that will set your alarm bells ringing when you hear a flim-flam artist like Trump. The Republican “war on science” is also a war on the intellectual habits needed to detect lies.

    ^^^
    I don't want to derail, but it seems there is an awful lot.

    well, maybe you can understand my confusion when you make these two posts.......
    new album "Cigarettes" out Spring 2025!

    www.headstonesband.com




  • CM189191CM189191 Posts: 6,927

    PJPOWER said:

    Shawshank said:
    That's pretty pathetic...wonder who the majority of them are voting for!?!?
    Well if your country is that chalk and block full of dumb people that you say it is and they all vote then Trump is your next POTUS.
    so back in July you were saying only dumb people would vote for Trump.....now he is your Jesus. When did that switch happen?
    No switch.
    I think you misunderstand me sometimes. Earlier in July I was demonstrating how Trump can reach all people and he does a really good job at it. His campaign was brilliant. Even back in July I knew Trump would win and you all would have none of it. So this thread and some videos on here showing how dumb some people are, yes most of them probably voted for Trump. But I don't think all of his support was from people that dumb. There are even a few closet Trump voters on AMT that I don't think are dumb people.
    This jesus thing really has you confused -
    It's a satisfying thing for me to support and believe in a real person that others refuse to accept or believe in just like jesus.
    Trump is my jesus christ.
    Amen.
    image
  • JC29856JC29856 Posts: 9,617
    CM189191 said:

    PJPOWER said:

    Shawshank said:
    That's pretty pathetic...wonder who the majority of them are voting for!?!?
    Well if your country is that chalk and block full of dumb people that you say it is and they all vote then Trump is your next POTUS.
    so back in July you were saying only dumb people would vote for Trump.....now he is your Jesus. When did that switch happen?
    No switch.
    I think you misunderstand me sometimes. Earlier in July I was demonstrating how Trump can reach all people and he does a really good job at it. His campaign was brilliant. Even back in July I knew Trump would win and you all would have none of it. So this thread and some videos on here showing how dumb some people are, yes most of them probably voted for Trump. But I don't think all of his support was from people that dumb. There are even a few closet Trump voters on AMT that I don't think are dumb people.
    This jesus thing really has you confused -
    It's a satisfying thing for me to support and believe in a real person that others refuse to accept or believe in just like jesus.
    Trump is my jesus christ.
    Amen.
    image
    Hilarious!
  • tbergstbergs Posts: 9,810

    PJPOWER said:

    Shawshank said:
    That's pretty pathetic...wonder who the majority of them are voting for!?!?
    Well if your country is that chalk and block full of dumb people that you say it is and they all vote then Trump is your next POTUS.
    so back in July you were saying only dumb people would vote for Trump.....now he is your Jesus. When did that switch happen?
    No switch.
    I think you misunderstand me sometimes. Earlier in July I was demonstrating how Trump can reach all people and he does a really good job at it. His campaign was brilliant. Even back in July I knew Trump would win and you all would have none of it. So this thread and some videos on here showing how dumb some people are, yes most of them probably voted for Trump. But I don't think all of his support was from people that dumb. There are even a few closet Trump voters on AMT that I don't think are dumb people.
    This jesus thing really has you confused -
    It's a satisfying thing for me to support and believe in a real person that others refuse to accept or believe in just like jesus.
    Trump is my jesus christ.
    Amen.
    Dumb would be inaccurate. More like ignorant and indifferent. You can be smart and still fall in to those categories.

    What we didn't need is a president who proclaims he's smart, but acts ignorant and indifferent the majority of the time and says/does dumb things.

    It's a hopeless situation...
  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Posts: 49,950

    PJPOWER said:

    Shawshank said:
    That's pretty pathetic...wonder who the majority of them are voting for!?!?
    Well if your country is that chalk and block full of dumb people that you say it is and they all vote then Trump is your next POTUS.
    so back in July you were saying only dumb people would vote for Trump.....now he is your Jesus. When did that switch happen?
    He's not really a Trump supporter (maybe I should put this statement in my signature, lol).
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • jeffbrjeffbr Posts: 7,177
    Just saw this article today, and it helped me understand how Trump got elected:
    The surprising number of American adults who think chocolate milk comes from brown cows
    "Seven percent of all American adults believe that chocolate milk comes from brown cows, according to a nationally representative online survey commissioned by the Innovation Center of U.S. Dairy."

    "If you do the math, that works out to 16.4 million misinformed, milk-drinking people. The equivalent of the population of Pennsylvania (and then some!) does not know that chocolate milk is milk, cocoa and sugar."


    "I'll use the magic word - let's just shut the fuck up, please." EV, 04/13/08
  • BentleyspopBentleyspop Posts: 10,767
    jeffbr said:
    Just saw this article today, and it helped me understand how Trump got elected:
    The surprising number of American adults who think chocolate milk comes from brown cows
    "Seven percent of all American adults believe that chocolate milk comes from brown cows, according to a nationally representative online survey commissioned by the Innovation Center of U.S. Dairy."

    "If you do the math, that works out to 16.4 million misinformed, milk-drinking people. The equivalent of the population of Pennsylvania (and then some!) does not know that chocolate milk is milk, cocoa and sugar."


    Makes you wonder where they think strawberry lemonade comes from.
  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,032
    jeffbr said:
    Just saw this article today, and it helped me understand how Trump got elected:
    The surprising number of American adults who think chocolate milk comes from brown cows
    "Seven percent of all American adults believe that chocolate milk comes from brown cows, according to a nationally representative online survey commissioned by the Innovation Center of U.S. Dairy."

    "If you do the math, that works out to 16.4 million misinformed, milk-drinking people. The equivalent of the population of Pennsylvania (and then some!) does not know that chocolate milk is milk, cocoa and sugar."



    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • cincybearcatcincybearcat Posts: 16,445
    Lots to discuss here, but I think the dumbing down of America is in full force because dumb people are having more kids while educated people are having less. 

    There are many things to "blame":

    Welfare system
    Education system (maybe before "free college" we should fix our high schools)
    Victim mentality
    Wage disparity between executives and line workers
    Poor sex ed & the taboo nature of sexuality in the USA
    Glorification of violence & gangs

    But the bottom line is the people who can least afford to have kids and are least prepared to raise them and are least interested in raising them and ensuring they are educated are having the most kids.

    hippiemom = goodness
  • Halifax2TheMaxHalifax2TheMax Posts: 39,023
    Lots to discuss here, but I think the dumbing down of America is in full force because dumb people are having more kids while educated people are having less. 

    There are many things to "blame":

    Welfare system
    Education system (maybe before "free college" we should fix our high schools)
    Victim mentality
    Wage disparity between executives and line workers
    Poor sex ed & the taboo nature of sexuality in the USA
    Glorification of violence & gangs

    But the bottom line is the people who can least afford to have kids and are least prepared to raise them and are least interested in raising them and ensuring they are educated are having the most kids.

    Yet, high school graduation rates are up and teen pregnancies are down to highest and lowest levels respectfully. But, the undereducated lacking critical thinking skills are a problem.
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  • HesCalledDyerHesCalledDyer Posts: 16,436
    I'd take the graduation rate with a grain of salt.  Everyone passes now.  It's all but illegal to fail a kid these days.
  • Go BeaversGo Beavers Posts: 9,085
    Before this goes into the 'get off my lawn' ditch, does anyone have data showing that we're getting dumber over time? 
  • ponytdponytd Posts: 654
    Before this goes into the 'get off my lawn' ditch, does anyone have data showing that we're getting dumber over time? 
    I think jeffbr's post about where people believe chocolate milk comes from is a good start for some data
  • Go BeaversGo Beavers Posts: 9,085
    ponytd said:
    Before this goes into the 'get off my lawn' ditch, does anyone have data showing that we're getting dumber over time? 
    I think jeffbr's post about where people believe chocolate milk comes from is a good start for some data
    That's a single question. We need longitudinal data to support the hypothesis. Otherwise, looking at the answers to single questions and then drawing a conclusion that we're in a downward trend would be 'dumb'.    
  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,032
    Lots to discuss here, but I think the dumbing down of America is in full force because dumb people are having more kids while educated people are having less. 

    There are many things to "blame":

    Welfare system
    Education system (maybe before "free college" we should fix our high schools)
    Victim mentality
    Wage disparity between executives and line workers
    Poor sex ed & the taboo nature of sexuality in the USA
    Glorification of violence & gangs

    But the bottom line is the people who can least afford to have kids and are least prepared to raise them and are least interested in raising them and ensuring they are educated are having the most kids.

    That's so true, Cincy.  I saw that working in public schools and I see it in the book business.  As far as I can tell, it's an undeniable fact that we are breeding fewer well or even decently educated children.  Genetically, we are breeding intelligence out of our species.  Maybe it's natures way of weeding out our species all together. 

    I used to think it was mainly about our socioeconomic system breeding worker bees but as things become more automated I'm not sure that's so true anymore.  It's looking more and more like yet another problem we (speaking of the U.S. anyway) simply don't have a handle on.
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • jnimhaoileoinjnimhaoileoin Posts: 2,682
    Some Harvard economists did a study that showed people who believed Trump to be less competent than Clinton were actually 6-7% more likely to vote for him, having been questioned about his competency. So really, you have to wonder about Americans
  • Go BeaversGo Beavers Posts: 9,085
    brianlux said:
    Lots to discuss here, but I think the dumbing down of America is in full force because dumb people are having more kids while educated people are having less. 

    There are many things to "blame":

    Welfare system
    Education system (maybe before "free college" we should fix our high schools)
    Victim mentality
    Wage disparity between executives and line workers
    Poor sex ed & the taboo nature of sexuality in the USA
    Glorification of violence & gangs

    But the bottom line is the people who can least afford to have kids and are least prepared to raise them and are least interested in raising them and ensuring they are educated are having the most kids.

    That's so true, Cincy.  I saw that working in public schools and I see it in the book business.  As far as I can tell, it's an undeniable fact that we are breeding fewer well or even decently educated children.  Genetically, we are breeding intelligence out of our species.  Maybe it's natures way of weeding out our species all together. 

    I used to think it was mainly about our socioeconomic system breeding worker bees but as things become more automated I'm not sure that's so true anymore.  It's looking more and more like yet another problem we (speaking of the U.S. anyway) simply don't have a handle on.
    Again, if this is a fact, then when were at our peak intellectually and what's the data to your undeniable fact say?
  • tbergstbergs Posts: 9,810
    I'd take the graduation rate with a grain of salt.  Everyone passes now.  It's all but illegal to fail a kid these days.
    Agreed. Working at a college we gets HS grads in here all the time who are unable to read, write or do math at a college level and are usually closer to an 8th grade level. They have to spend their first 1 or 2 semesters just trying to meet the basic standards they should have as HS grads before they can even get in to an area of study. Most don't ever get out of those classes because of their personal living situation, lack of effort and other baggage.
    It's a hopeless situation...
  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,032
    brianlux said:
    Lots to discuss here, but I think the dumbing down of America is in full force because dumb people are having more kids while educated people are having less. 

    There are many things to "blame":

    Welfare system
    Education system (maybe before "free college" we should fix our high schools)
    Victim mentality
    Wage disparity between executives and line workers
    Poor sex ed & the taboo nature of sexuality in the USA
    Glorification of violence & gangs

    But the bottom line is the people who can least afford to have kids and are least prepared to raise them and are least interested in raising them and ensuring they are educated are having the most kids.

    That's so true, Cincy.  I saw that working in public schools and I see it in the book business.  As far as I can tell, it's an undeniable fact that we are breeding fewer well or even decently educated children.  Genetically, we are breeding intelligence out of our species.  Maybe it's natures way of weeding out our species all together. 

    I used to think it was mainly about our socioeconomic system breeding worker bees but as things become more automated I'm not sure that's so true anymore.  It's looking more and more like yet another problem we (speaking of the U.S. anyway) simply don't have a handle on.
    Again, if this is a fact, then when were at our peak intellectually and what's the data to your undeniable fact say?
    Busted.  :lol:
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • cincybearcatcincybearcat Posts: 16,445
    Before this goes into the 'get off my lawn' ditch, does anyone have data showing that we're getting dumber over time? 
    Just walk around and talk to people ;)
    hippiemom = goodness
  • cincybearcatcincybearcat Posts: 16,445
    brianlux said:
    Lots to discuss here, but I think the dumbing down of America is in full force because dumb people are having more kids while educated people are having less. 

    There are many things to "blame":

    Welfare system
    Education system (maybe before "free college" we should fix our high schools)
    Victim mentality
    Wage disparity between executives and line workers
    Poor sex ed & the taboo nature of sexuality in the USA
    Glorification of violence & gangs

    But the bottom line is the people who can least afford to have kids and are least prepared to raise them and are least interested in raising them and ensuring they are educated are having the most kids.

    That's so true, Cincy.  I saw that working in public schools and I see it in the book business.  As far as I can tell, it's an undeniable fact that we are breeding fewer well or even decently educated children.  Genetically, we are breeding intelligence out of our species.  Maybe it's natures way of weeding out our species all together. 

    I used to think it was mainly about our socioeconomic system breeding worker bees but as things become more automated I'm not sure that's so true anymore.  It's looking more and more like yet another problem we (speaking of the U.S. anyway) simply don't have a handle on.
    Again, if this is a fact, then when were at our peak intellectually and what's the data to your undeniable fact say?
    From way back in 2011:

    http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/may/9/education-level-inversely-related-to-childbearing/


    hippiemom = goodness
  • cincybearcatcincybearcat Posts: 16,445
    Although the trend may be changing....I haven;t been paying attention to specific in a while.
    hippiemom = goodness
  • Go BeaversGo Beavers Posts: 9,085
    If you would've stayed in school you'd know that wouldn't be a vald sample!
  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,032
    I hate to say it (because it wish it weren't true) but Cincy's suggestion too"Just walk around and talk to people" is what convinces me the U.S. as a nation is dumbing down.  True, I don't have facts to support it but empirical evidence convinces me that we're not getting any smarter. 

    Convince me I'm wrong, please!
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













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