American society increasingly mistakes intelligence for human worth

Post by sangnoir » Sat, Jun 18, 2016, 8:49 AM UTC

danieltillett wrote: post #108

robg wrote: post #2

And gets it very, very wrong. "Intelligence" moves around with nutrition, stress, sleep, pollution. The brain is organic. We miss out on human potential in all the neighborhoods around the world that aren't safe and supported. The good news is we are headed in the right direction as a planet, but surprisingly this article doesn't mention it [1]. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flynn_effect

The Flynn effect had stopped in most western countries including the USA.

Post by [deleted] » Sat, Jun 18, 2016, 8:56 AM UTC

curioussavage wrote: post #120

WalterBright wrote: post #84

Anti-intellectualism runs deep in American society. Consider the words nerd, wonk, geek, brainiac, college boy, the negative Hollywood stereotypes, etc. The Big Bang Theory is the latest incarnation of that. My father learned to keep his book collection out of the living room.

I disagree. Citing a few labels is easy, Hollywood and popular culture have stereotypes for every kind of person. Everybody thinks they are the persecuted group. I think the opposite. America most certainly worships intellectuals, who control public education. So starting at age 5-6 kids are brainwashed into thinking that they are 'stupid' if they can't do arithmetic in their head, or remember all the inane rules of…

Post by PeterStuer » Sat, Jun 18, 2016, 9:09 AM UTC

curioussavage wrote: post #124

PeterStuer wrote: post #99

As a non-American, and so 'judging' America only through the media, it does feel like the complete opposite. Deep ingrained anti-intellectualism, idolization of stupidity and love of the brazen and the rich. Scary decline of the sciences and rapid expansion of superstitions. Of course this does not apply to this here readership, but at least from an outside perspective we see 'idiocracy' surging onto the stage at bre…

Canadians and Europeans love to look down on Americans, we already know this. Thats all your comment adds is an example of that. People and movements (including the Trump supporter movement which you are alluding to) are very complex. And frankly you just don't understand.

Post by lgieron » Sat, Jun 18, 2016, 9:17 AM UTC

WalterBright wrote: post #130

curioussavage wrote: post #120

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I disagree. Citing a few labels is easy, Hollywood and popular culture have stereotypes for every kind of person. Everybody thinks they are the persecuted group. I think the opposite. America most certainly worships intellectuals, who control public education. So starting at age 5-6 kids are brainwashed into thinking that they are 'stupid' if they can't do arithmetic in their head, or remember all the inane rules of…

Check out the mania (and enormous $$$) around sports and sports figures, actors, and musicians. I can't recall a nerd ever getting an endorsement contract. The only nerd prize is the Nobel; the Oscars, Emmys, Grammies, Halls of Fame, Heisemann Trophies, etc., are for other professions. Just for a small slice of it, the mania over the Olympics. Billions and billions of dollars, wall-to-wall TV coverage, of 2 weeks see…

Post by lgieron » Sat, Jun 18, 2016, 9:20 AM UTC

peterwoo wrote: post #134

back_beyond wrote: post #123

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>> Human worth is intrinsic and absolute. Do you have a citation?

"Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world, Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear…