THE REVOLT OF THE ELITES: And the Betrayal of Democracy (Book Review)

W.W. Norton & CO. ^ | December - 1995 | Christopher Lasch

[Torie]

This might help. More striking regarding educational levels and opinion are the numbers about the "acceptance" of homosexuality, which are available here.

[Torie]

Thanks. He is the one I was trying to recall.

[Torie]

The bottom orange line is of those over time who are not either absolutely good or evil:

[bubman]

funny how only white people talk like this!

[TSchmereL]

So what. If you have a post-graduate degree you are more likely to take a tolerant view of homosexuality?

What is that supposed to prove?

I think it proves my point.

I don't care if you have a PhD in plumbing and made your first million emptying the septic tanks of the rich and famous. You are still just a plumber and no more qualified to pontificate publicly about Constitutional Law or Global Climate Change than my gold fish.

[Torie]

I was making a statistical observation, based on the assertion of another poster that elites were Godless. I was agreeing that there was a correlation, although 80% of those with post graduate degrees still believe in God, per the poll. I would certainly agree that the road to wisdom in general is NOT the shedding or religion. This near atheist firmly believes just the opposite. Go put that one in the cranium and parse it! Synthesize the ying and the yang. Cheers.

[TSchmereL]

Mark Rothko was an atheist who committed suicide.

Do you realize how ironic that is?

[Torie]

By the way I am a lawyer, so I am a bit more qualified than most to post about Constitutional law, but frankly there are a couple of non lawyers who are more qualified to about such on this very site, I think, overall, because I am just a dirt bag provincial lawyer, far from DC. But I do my best!

[Torie]

Atheism, depression and truth are not mutually exclusive, but no, I didn't know that. All I knew were those broad band colors. Folks pay hundreds of thousands to millions for them.

[razorback-bert]

I use to visit the Rothko Chapel in Houston, everyonce and awhile.

[durasell]

Check it out...

The Rise and Decline of the State
by Martin van Creveld

[TSchmereL]

First you said: "[These elites] tend to be secular, which has a positive correlation with education."

Then I challenged you to show me such a correlation.

Now you tell me: "80% of those with post graduate degrees still believe in God."

You have got to be insane! And I will question my own sanity if I continue to engage you in an argument.

Mark Rothko, in deed.

[Torie]

Sounds fascinating, and I will buy it. For a very hilarious and naughty book, but a classic, Class : A Guide Through the American Status System, is absolutely hilarious. You will learn which towns are in the deepest prole drift mode, per the incidence per capita of bowling alleys. The elite say granny died, the middle class say granny passed away, and the proles say granny went/came to Jesus.

[Torie]

Read the poll, and then read a bit about correlations and statistics in general, and you will be in great shape.

[Torie]

By the way, I don't mean to cause you stress. I apologize for that.

[Dumb_Ox]

Anyone with any sort of talent and drive can join them and get rich. This sucks potential leaders out of the middle and lower classes, leaving them stuck at the bottom.

It's not only class, but region: In rural or semi-rural areas, the smarter folk are also sucked away from their hometowns so there are fewer competent regional leaders to challenge or reform the leadership in big cities and the two coasts. Somebody I was reading the other day claims Lasch makes just these point in this book. Having read Lasch's book a while back, I can't remember for sure. Definitely a worthy read.

Christopher Shannon, a former student of Lasch, has attracted my attention recently. Anybody read his books?

[durasell]

Being in NYC I have seen this stuff up close and find it deeply distressing.

[sgtyork]

Isn't it rather disingenous to not provide the data that you link to that shows that religious belief is rather strong among college educated (85-90 percent)? And then present a tangential table about homosexuality? Are you one of those people who constantly have to bring up homosexuality in every conversation?

Considering how hard academia is trying to stamp out religiousity, these are rather encouraging data.

Beliefs:::::::::::::::::::::::


All Adults High School or Less Some College College Grad Post Grad

God 90 92 88 90 85

Survival of the soul after death
84 86 86 79 78

Miracles
84 89 84 77 72


Heaven
82 86 83 76 71

[sgtyork]

I'd like to see the statistical test you performed to determine that there is a correlation.

[Torie]

Read all my posts. And I linked it. I am an open book.