Uzique The Lesser wrote:
Macbeth wrote:
I don't think quoting a philosopher or academic is that that much more a sign of intelligence than quoting an ESPN analyst. Anyone can parrot with enough practice. I also don't think intellectualism is inherently better than tuning out. I really hate it when people try to use the fact that they read more than others or can name some academics as proof of their superior intelligence or worth.
There was some political scientist from Yale I think that I once read who made the point that for the average person engaging the world beyond their local news at night wasn't worth the trouble. The majority of people are completely insignificant and would have no political power outside of terrorism. The time and energy cost of absorbing information about larger political movements both domestically and internationally wasn't worth it since they couldn't possibly affect it. So their time would be better spent working on their careers or doing things they enjoy before they die. I have to agree. It is why I don't begrudge someone from tuning out. I really like learning about the world around me but still find my own inability to change anything frustrating at times. Why should someone who has no interest or inclination towards civic or international engagement frustrate and anger themselves about things they couldn't possibly change? It is why low voter turnout doesn't bother me either. Stuff like that should be left to true believers and the interested rather than someone struggling to get with it just because they are told by people who claim to be their betters that they are failures otherwise.
you only speak for yourself when you raise tokenism. you are no better than jay in that regard.
the humanistic idea for a millenia or so has been that if you read, it enriches your mind and balances your viewpoint. not a pithy surface-level ability to quote a 'wise' philosopher or apothegm. the idea is that reading great philosophy, or science, or poetry, actually tempers your mind. lengthens your attention span. deepens your mental reserves. not just gives you another pointless constellation of reference points, other than pop-cultural ones. you are an idiot. you are supposed to be at a good school. please try actually engaging with something.
oh and yes, cite some patrician prof from yale that says it's best if the little people don't bother themselves with lofty, difficult matters. that's a typical ivory tower professor. that is a repugnant attitude. the fear in established society for time immemorial has been that the lay people will get access to the culture's scripture. once you can read and consider, the orthodoxy becomes replaced with doxa. people don't like that. it complicates policy-making. trust the crusty at yale to recommend people just put up and shut up.
What IS the point though? The further into my career I've moved, and the further away from school, the more I've come to realize how little what I believe politically matters. I have no influence on who runs for office, and I certainly don't have the time or the desire to join a political party's machinery. I don't watch the news. I don't read a newspaper. I read snippets here and there on the internet, but I largely don't care. People in general are much happier, and much less frustrated, when they stick to caring about things they generally have some control over.
You'll write some reply saying you pity me or something, but come back and tell me how you feel in ten years after you're married with a career and a family on the way.
Edit - And what's the point of knowledge Uzi? Unless you're going to regurgitate it down on a book, or lecture in a classroom, or it applies to your job, there's really not much point to it. I've read countless military history books and then a few years ago I decided it was utterly pointless. The only person I could ever have a discussion about such things about was my father, and I loathe talking to him more than I have to. So I stopped. I switched to biographies and light history, stuff that allows me to learn more about people, and add bits of conversational knowledge here and there.
Last edited by Jay (2013-07-20 05:58:10)
