US ill with powerful mutant strain of ignorance anti-rationalism anti-intellectualism

[rdean]

There are few subjects more timely than the one tackled by Susan Jacoby in her new book, “The Age of American Unreason,” in which she asserts that “America is now ill with a powerful mutant strain of intertwined ignorance, anti-rationalism and anti-intellectualism.”

For more than a decade there have been growing symptoms of this affliction, from fundamentalist assaults on the teaching of evolution to the Bush administration’s willful disavowal of expert opinion on global warming and strategies for prosecuting the war in Iraq. Conservatives have turned the term “intellectual,” like the term “ liberal,” into a dirty word in politics (even though neo-conservative intellectuals played a formative role in making the case for war against Iraq); policy positions tend to get less attention than personality and tactics in the current presidential campaign; and the democratizing influence of the Internet is working to banish expertise altogether, making everyone an authority on everything. Traditional policy channels involving careful analysis and debate have been circumvented by the Bush White House in favor of bold, gut-level calls, and reasoned public discussions have increasingly given way to noisy partisan warfare among politicians, commentators and bloggers alike.

The Age of American Unreason - Book - Review - New York Times

America was founded on the basis of several strands of European intellectualism: the Enlightenment, rationalism, Deism, and republican democracy among others. How can this America survive if the very notion of intellectualism itself is dismissed, never mind actual intellectual pursuits themselves? Thomas Jefferson pointed out that "If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be." Americans, unfortunately are very ignorant — and worse yet, proud of their ignorance. They know little and want to know less; in the process they are likely to lose much of what they have.

Book Review - The Age of American Unreason, by Susan Jacoby

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I'm pretty sure Jethro and Ellie Mae aren't interested. And to think, this was written three years ago. Not, "Will it get worse before it gets better?", but, "How much worse will it get before it gets better?"

 

[iamwhatiseem]

Oh...I thought this thread was an invitation to join from a senior member.

 

[Oddball]

US ill with powerful mutant strain of ignorance anti-rationalism anti-intellectualism

Did I hear someone say Freudian projection?

2a. Freudian Projection

The following is a collection of definitions of projection from orthodox psychology texts. In this system the distinct mechanism of projecting own unconscious or undesirable characteristics onto an opponent is called Freudian Projection.

* "A defense mechanism in which the individual attributes to other people impulses and traits that he himself has but cannot accept. It is especially likely to occur when the person lacks insight into his own impulses and traits."

* "The externalisation of internal unconscious wishes, desires or emotions on to other people. So, for example, someone who feels subconsciously that they have a powerful latent homosexual drive may not acknowledge this consciously, but it may show in their readiness to suspect others of being homosexual."

* "Attributing one's own undesirable traits to other people or agencies, e.g., an aggressive man accuses other people of being hostile."

* "The individual perceives in others the motive he denies having himself. Thus the cheat is sure that everyone else is dishonest. The would-be adulterer accuses his wife of infidelity."

* "People attribute their own undesirable traits onto others. An individual who unconsciously recognises his or her aggressive tendencies may then see other people acting in an excessively aggressive way."

* "Projection is the opposite defence mechanism to identification. We project our own unpleasant feelings onto someone else and blame them for having thoughts that we really have."

Basic Human Psychology 1: Neurosis, Projection and Freudian Projection

 

[rdean]

Oh goody. Representatives.

 

[Oddball]

The representative was the OP, ya projecting dope.

 

[rdean]

The representative was the OP, ya projecting dope.

I think intellectuals are a "good" thing and I don't share occult beliefs.

 

[Oddball]

I don't define "intellectuals" the same way you do, ya dope.

 

[rdean]

I don't define "intellectuals" the same way you do, ya dope.

Clearly.

 

[Oddball]

The rest takes care of itself, dipshchitt.

 

[CrusaderFrank]

Global Warming...yes, I believe!

Fucking morons

 

[Vel]

Global Warming...yes, I believe!

Fucking morons

Newsweek on the cooling world

 

[Sherry]

The representative was the OP, ya projecting dope.

I think intellectuals are a "good" thing and I don't share occult beliefs.

You only approve of a certain type of intellectual who fits into your narrow-minded view.

 

[whitehall]

Americans seem relatively healthy. Seriousy, where would we be if the GOP hadn't gained the majority in congress last November? Democrats wouldn't have been talking about ways to cut deficit spending. They would have spent the US into 3rd world status. When democrats had total control of government the president hired a communist former leader of an arson and looting rampage to his "green jobs" board. What was he thinking? Obama refered to the US Chamber of Commerce as a sinister tool of the GOP. How is the stimulous working? We spent a trillion dollars to try to get democrats elected and the unemployment rate went up.

 

[Mad Scientist]

rdean is so smart! He should run for President and save us all!

 

[CrusaderFrank]

Deany, are you one of them thar "Intellectuals"?

 

[Midnight Marauder]

tackled by Susan Jacoby in her new book, “The Age of American Unreason,” in which she asserts that “America is now ill with a powerful mutant strain of intertwined ignorance, anti-rationalism and anti-intellectualism.”

She's explaining how Obama got elected?

 

[rdean]

Global Warming...yes, I believe!

Fucking morons

Newsweek on the cooling world

That article is from 1975.

 

[rdean]

Americans seem relatively healthy. Seriousy, where would we be if the GOP hadn't gained the majority in congress last November? Democrats wouldn't have been talking about ways to cut deficit spending. They would have spent the US into 3rd world status. When democrats had total control of government the president hired a communist former leader of an arson and looting rampage to his "green jobs" board. What was he thinking? Obama refered to the US Chamber of Commerce as a sinister tool of the GOP. How is the stimulous working? We spent a trillion dollars to try to get democrats elected and the unemployment rate went up.

The right wing held millions of unemployed hostage threatening to cut off their benefits unless Obama turned another trillion over to the wealthiest 1% of Americans. Is that how Republicans "saved money"?

Bush and the Republicans held both houses and the presidency for 6 straight years. Name a single success, besides the fact they had both houses and the presidency.

Obama is a failure for not cleaning up what Republicans did to this country fast enough.

But seriously, a smart black man? The right winger will never accept him for those two reasons alone.

 

[The T]

global warming...yes, i believe!

Fucking morons

newsweek on the cooling world

that article is from 1975.

so?

 

[The T]

There are few subjects more timely than the one tackled by Susan Jacoby in her new book, “The Age of American Unreason,” in which she asserts that “America is now ill with a powerful mutant strain of intertwined ignorance, anti-rationalism and anti-intellectualism.”

For more than a decade there have been growing symptoms of this affliction, from fundamentalist assaults on the teaching of evolution to the Bush administration’s willful disavowal of expert opinion on global warming and strategies for prosecuting the war in Iraq. Conservatives have turned the term “intellectual,” like the term “ liberal,” into a dirty word in politics (even though neo-conservative intellectuals played a formative role in making the case for war against Iraq); policy positions tend to get less attention than personality and tactics in the current presidential campaign; and the democratizing influence of the Internet is working to banish expertise altogether, making everyone an authority on everything. Traditional policy channels involving careful analysis and debate have been circumvented by the Bush White House in favor of bold, gut-level calls, and reasoned public discussions have increasingly given way to noisy partisan warfare among politicians, commentators and bloggers alike.

The Age of American Unreason - Book - Review - New York Times

America was founded on the basis of several strands of European intellectualism: the Enlightenment, rationalism, Deism, and republican democracy among others. How can this America survive if the very notion of intellectualism itself is dismissed, never mind actual intellectual pursuits themselves? Thomas Jefferson pointed out that "If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be." Americans, unfortunately are very ignorant — and worse yet, proud of their ignorance. They know little and want to know less; in the process they are likely to lose much of what they have.

Book Review - The Age of American Unreason, by Susan Jacoby

-------------------------------------------

I'm pretty sure Jethro and Ellie Mae aren't interested. And to think, this was written three years ago. Not, "Will it get worse before it gets better?", but, "How much worse will it get before it gets better?"

Is this why you Statists are for larger Government? To save us from ourselves?