Intellectuals Step 'Off The Cliff,' Drag Rest Of Us Down: Sowell

Investor's Business Daily ^ | February 26, 2010 | David Hogberg

[jazusamo]

Smart people should make smart decisions. So why do the best and the brightest always seem to create more problems than they solve?

This is not just an academic question, precisely because academics dominate the Obama administration and its approach to such key issues as health care and Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons. Renowned economist Thomas Sowell argues that intellectuals have strong incentives to step out of their area of expertise and "off a cliff." Ultimately, everyday people pay the price when intellectuals and abstract concepts trump real-world specifics.

Sowell explores these topics and more in a wide-ranging IBD interview regarding his latest book, "Intellectuals and Society."

IBD: How do you define intellectuals?

Sowell: I define intellectuals as persons whose occupations begin and end with ideas. I distinguish between intellectuals and other people who may have ideas but whose ideas end up producing some good or service, something that whether it's working or not working can be determined by third parties.

With intellectuals, one of the crucial factors is their work is largely judged by peer consensus, so it doesn't matter if their ideas work in the real world.

IBD: What incentives and constraints do intellectuals face?

Sowell: One of the incentives is that, to the extent that intellectuals stay in their specialty, they have little to gain in terms of either prestige or influence on events. Say, an authority in ancient Mayan civilization just writes about ancient Mayan civilization, then only other specialists in ancient Mayan civilization will know what he is talking about or even be aware of him.

[jazusamo]

*PING*
Thomas Sowell

Recent columns
Too Many Apologies
Gov‘t Must Not Escape Blame in Whodunits
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[Bigtigermike]

“With intellectuals, one of the crucial factors is their work is largely judged by peer consensus, so it doesn’t matter if their ideas work in the real world”.

BINGO!!! WE HAVE A WINNER!

[GOP Poet]

bookmark

[USFRIENDINVICTORIA]

Don't the words “pointy-headed” always accompany “intellectuals”?

[Kaslin]

Thanks for the ping

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Because NONE of them have ever held a REAL job...

Lots of book-learning, but not much common sense.

[jazusamo]

Thank you for tipping me off to it, Kas.

[Intolerant in NJ]

With intellectuals, one of the crucial factors is their work is largely judged by peer consensus, so it doesn't matter if their ideas work in the real world...In fact many intellectuals disdain the influence and requirements of the real world - they're above all that mundane involvment - I once had a professor who actually bragged about the fact that he didn't know how to change a flat tire on his car - that's the sort of thing common people should have to worry about, dontcha know......

[Scotswife]

bookmark

[jazusamo]

That says a bunch about Obama.

[onyx]

I loved reading this interview!!!!
Thank you for posting it!

[Marty62]

Amazing how these “intellectuals” seem to a;ways end up being paid by the very people they find disgustingly ignorant.

Maybe it’s time for these lazy a** people get a REAL JOB.
Especially their leader Zero.

[TokuMei]

DEVASTATING POST! Says so much, and in one photo. SAVED!

[jazusamo]

Precisely, and he doesn’t want to be a politician, he writes about them.

[DaveTesla]

BTT

[sauropod]

read

[Kaslin]

You are very welcome :)

[familyop]

Their levels of intelligence are not the problem, but their special interests are. Stop buying so much, and their revenues will decrease.