Posted on 01/12/2016 8:35:37 AM PST by simpson96
It's a cliche to say that democratic states can't function properly without an informed electorate. But it’s absolutely true. And this is why, heading into the 2016 election year, I'm nervous about the future. With Donald Trump leading the Republican presidential contenders, even many Republican die-hards are shaking in their boots.
But Trump isn't the cause, just the symptom. The deeper cause is a strain of anti-intellectualism that runs through the roots of American culture. And while this strain is found on both sides of the political spectrum (see some liberals on vaccines and chemtrails), it's mostly concentrated among religious conservatives on the political right. For those who espouse anti-intellectualism, conspiracy theories have the same clout as legitimate science, the opinions of non-experts are just as credible as those of the experts, and ideology takes precedence over the cold hard facts.
He looks like a gay horse.
It's a very good point indeed!
You could only wish. Friends may come and friends may go, but enemies remain forever.
I've been telling my wife that for a long time. We are REALLY in danger from these people.
It’s SOP in politics to aim material at a 4th grade level. So Trump is effectively following this first rule of running a campaign.
Yep, how to win a campaign 101
Stupid.
I made it to the 5th grade....
This "4th grade" (not 3rd or 5th) seems to be one of the liberals' talking point. I keep seeing it also in criticisms of conservative books.
I think Trump took his cues from Madison Avenue advertising companies. Those professionals are paid millions because they know precisely what level of communications are effective in persuading the masses. Most commercials talk down to a grade school level, even for adult products and services.
“Buy your next car at Crazy Eddies! He’s insane! Yuck, yuck!”
To typical progressives telling the truth is bullying and trash talk.
Phil Torres (1982) is a philosopher, author, and musician.
Yeah, right....
“There are more things in heaven and earth, Phil, than are dreamt of in your philosophy”. — Shakespeare
He has a masters degree in Neuroscience from Brandeis, and spent a year as a visiting graduate student in the Philosophy Dept. at Harvard. His music has been featured in a number of short films and television commercials, such as a GoPro commercial and a documentary on gay marriage, as well as on blogs like XLR8R. His forthcoming book is called The End: What Science and Religion Tell Us About the Apocalypse (Pitchstone Publishing).
Your girlfriend thinks you both should see other men, Phil...
Anti-intellectualism is the mouthbreathing Lefty Groupthink that has infected nearly every American university campus, Phil, you Metrosexual little toad.
You were "educated" at a couple of those self-same "universities", which is why you have that inadvertent goose-step when you walk...
Oh, good gosh, libbylu.
Haven't you started treatment for The Tee Dee Ess yet?
It's a New Year. Get that taken care of.
Maybe they'll put out the fire in your hair, too. :)
Thick rims are far less likely to break after they fall off your face while you're getting turbo-wedgied by real men who've tired of your crap.
Hiliarous.
The writer feels “nervous about the future” - possibly because he’s not used to hearing the truth.
Nah - that one's an actual scientist - entomologist from Cornell, Science Correspondent & Host at Al Jazeera America.
No, our Phil Torres is an intellectual lightweight with a CrackerJack box degree from Brandeis [We've Got CAIR's Seal of Approval!] University and - wait for it - he spent a year as a visiting graduate student in the Philosophy Department at Harvard.
Ooooooooooooh - the RARIFIED atmosphere of Great Thoughts that young Phil has inhaled!
If we wuz smart like Phil, we'd be smart, youbetcha!
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