EDITORIAL: The red state-blue state knowledge gap

[JerryBaumchen 1,436]

Hi Lyra,

Quote

I don't think smart is synonymous with being up on current events

Well put; and you beat me to it.

I have never missed voting since my first vote in May 1964. I have never seen ISIS, Syria, Ukraine, USSR ever mentioned on any ballot in all these years.

Hmmm, I wonder why not?



Jerry Baumchen

[RonD1120 62]

Democrats are not required to be smart, only obedient to the liberal elite.

Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.

[freethefly 6]

Quote

Un fortunatly the smart ones stay away
Why would anyone in thier right mind submit themelves to the shit storm bs the left and thire lap dog media thow at them?

Since you claim to be amongst Iowa's smartest, got a score of 100% on some stupid quiz that any ten year old could pass (if he/she watched the news,) how is it that you cannot spell?

"...And once you're gone, you can't come back
When you're out of the blue and into the black."
Neil Young

[SkyDekker 1,465]

Quote

Seriously do you want to play who has the most stupid politicians?

Yes, all our politicians are inately stupid is really something to be proud of as a nation. Don't you guys realize that you vote for them yourselves?

[cgriff 0]

SkyDekker

Don't you guys realize that you vote for them yourselves?

But they really don't, Sky... That's the problem. I think half the time, they don't even look at the names at all... In this country, we don't vote for people; we vote for parties. Kind of like in this post:

RonD1120

Democrats are not required to be smart, only obedient to the liberal elite.

Think Ron realizes that quote could be reversed and still be just as accurate? It's thoroughly ingrained to see only the party affiliation, and not the fact that all of them are bought and paid for and grossly incompetent.

[billvon 3,070]

>Weird.... when I opened this thread I thought for sure it was going to be a poll
>concerning knowledge/IQ/test scores/etc.

I did too. That made me curious so I did some research. From a 2012 article in Psychological Science:

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Bright Minds and Dark Attitudes
Lower Cognitive Ability Predicts Greater Prejudice Through Right-Wing Ideology and Low Intergroup Contact

Gordon Hodson and Michael A. Busseri

Abstract

Despite their important implications for interpersonal behaviors and relations, cognitive abilities have been largely ignored as explanations of prejudice. We proposed and tested mediation models in which lower cognitive ability predicts greater prejudice, an effect mediated through the endorsement of right-wing ideologies (social conservatism, right-wing authoritarianism) and low levels of contact with out-groups. In an analysis of two large-scale, nationally representative United Kingdom data sets (N = 15,874), we found that lower general intelligence (g) in childhood predicts greater racism in adulthood, and this effect was largely mediated via conservative ideology. A secondary analysis of a U.S. data set confirmed a predictive effect of poor abstract-reasoning skills on antihomosexual prejudice, a relation partially mediated by both authoritarianism and low levels of intergroup contact. All analyses controlled for education and socioeconomic status. Our results suggest that cognitive abilities play a critical, albeit underappreciated, role in prejudice. Consequently, we recommend a heightened focus on cognitive ability in research on prejudice and a better integration of cognitive ability into prejudice models.
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[jcd11235 0]

cgriff

In this country, we don't vote for people; we vote for parties.

I think it's more common for people to vote against candidates (or parties). The typical voter awards their vote to the candidate most likely to defeat the candidate they least want to see win. It's a shortcoming of the voting system that we use.

Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

[wolfriverjoe 1,523]

jcd11235

***In this country, we don't vote for people; we vote for parties.

I think it's more common for people to vote against candidates (or parties). The typical voter awards their vote to the candidate most likely to defeat the candidate they least want to see win. It's a shortcoming of the voting system that we use.

^This. Big time.

I haven't actually voted for a major candidate (Pres, US House or Senate, state Governor) in a very long time.

It's been "Vote against the opponent because I really don't want him in charge.

"There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy

"~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo

[airdvr 210]

billvon

>Weird.... when I opened this thread I thought for sure it was going to be a poll
>concerning knowledge/IQ/test scores/etc.

I did too. That made me curious so I did some research. From a 2012 article in Psychological Science:

=====================
Bright Minds and Dark Attitudes
Lower Cognitive Ability Predicts Greater Prejudice Through Right-Wing Ideology and Low Intergroup Contact

Gordon Hodson and Michael A. Busseri

Abstract

Despite their important implications for interpersonal behaviors and relations, cognitive abilities have been largely ignored as explanations of prejudice. We proposed and tested mediation models in which lower cognitive ability predicts greater prejudice, an effect mediated through the endorsement of right-wing ideologies (social conservatism, right-wing authoritarianism) and low levels of contact with out-groups. In an analysis of two large-scale, nationally representative United Kingdom data sets (N = 15,874), we found that lower general intelligence (g) in childhood predicts greater racism in adulthood, and this effect was largely mediated via conservative ideology. A secondary analysis of a U.S. data set confirmed a predictive effect of poor abstract-reasoning skills on antihomosexual prejudice, a relation partially mediated by both authoritarianism and low levels of intergroup contact. All analyses controlled for education and socioeconomic status. Our results suggest that cognitive abilities play a critical, albeit underappreciated, role in prejudice. Consequently, we recommend a heightened focus on cognitive ability in research on prejudice and a better integration of cognitive ability into prejudice models.
=====================

If you're looking for proof Lyra its right here in front of you.

Please don't dent the planet.

Destinations by Roxanne

[turtlespeed 226]

wolfriverjoe

******In this country, we don't vote for people; we vote for parties.

I think it's more common for people to vote against candidates (or parties). The typical voter awards their vote to the candidate most likely to defeat the candidate they least want to see win. It's a shortcoming of the voting system that we use.

^This. Big time.

I haven't actually voted for a major candidate (Pres, US House or Senate, state Governor) in a very long time.

It's been "Vote against the opponent because I really don't want him in charge.

You can't use Him or Her anymore . . . The Purple Penguins are in charge.

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[cgriff 0]

jcd11235

I think it's more common for people to vote against candidates (or parties). The typical voter awards their vote to the candidate most likely to defeat the candidate they least want to see win. It's a shortcoming of the voting system that we use.

Good point. In those races, and sadly they are many, that don't have any good candidates running, I vote for whomever is not the incumbent, on the theory that it may at least take them a little while to get their system of graft set up.