Revolting Elites

The noxious thing about the cultural elite is supposed to be its bad faith. Everyone else in America more or less forthrightly confesses that they're trying to grab as much money as they can, and if somebody has meanwhile forced a liberal education on them, that doesn't mean they've had to like it. Upon making their money, real Americans are furthermore honest enough to spend it on those things that evolution or God have programmed humans to sincerely enjoy. In winter recreation, this might be snowmobiling — genuine petroleum-burning fun! — as opposed to cross-country skiing, a tedious trial of aerobic virtue.

via nplusonemag.com

Click on the link above for the rest of this fascinating essay about what elitism has come to mean. It's not those who have piles of money–as long as they love what all Americans love. Kerry was seen as an elite who is rich and has an ivy league degree, but not Bush who is richer and has 2 ivy league degrees because Bush and Palin take pride in stupidity. Rather, elites are those who use big words. How twisted. Anybody can look up a word! But since 1980 general prices have gone up 179% while the cost of education in the U.S. has gone up 827%. The rich right appeals to the poor right by prizing ignorance and eschewing self-improvement. How different from the 1930′s when workmen's circles eagerly attended lectures on science, philosophy, history and literature.

Filed under: Miscellany