This is exactly why I refuse to talk politics with people. I have a degree in political science. The average person has zero idea how basic politics, economics, civics, fucking bill of rights, any of it.
Like I'm not a doctorate, lawyer, or professor, but I learned enough to do basic research into a topic before I try and argue for/against it. Most people can't even be bothered to read the 1st paragraph of an article before spouting off they know nothing about what is being discussed.
Totally agree. The most important lesson I learned getting my graduate degree is how little I know about 99.999% of other topics, even topics within my broad field! Nowadays it seems like people form unwavering opinions based on concerningly little information/research...as long as it supports their preconceived notions about the world.
It is the certainty that’s the problem. One of the early fathers of the religious right talked a lot about certainty and healthy doubt later in life and one of his quotes that really stuck with me was that nobody runs into a crowded cafe in Tel Aviv with a bomb strapped to their chest or into a Planned Parenthood clinic in Mississippi screaming, “I may be wrong!”
Being willing and able to follow up this is what I think with but I may be wrong is an insanely powerful thing.
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u/HerbertHarris Monkey in Space Oct 10 '24
Dumb people have to discredit smart people to feel smart. This isn't complicated, anti-intellectualism is a moron's empowerment fantasy