I can appreciate the commentary about being surrounded by stupid people. It seems they are everywhere these days in the United States and most especially in the political arena.  It is no wonder that many kids today can not find the United States on map. However, I do not think the educational system is entirely at fault. Much of this "dumbing down" comes from our society and culture itself. In fact, an ad was placed at a high IQ society that I belong to which proves this point. The ad was calling for a male, between the ages of 18-25 or so with an IQ in the top 2% to play a part in an upcoming production called "The Beauty and the Geek".   Now its obvious just from the title alone which part he is to play.  I think the title says it all about how Americans view intelligent people or at least it points to the stereotype that one is constantly bombarded with these days.
 
If you are billed as being smart you are seen as the one that wears braces, has tapped up glasses, etc. and you will never, ever get the hottest girl because of it.  With that in mind, name one kid who wants to strive to be that guy?  In other words, smart people in all of their shapes and sizes are rarely glorified in our society.  It is the charismatic, mostly muscular, dumbed down male or pretty, stupid female that people want to emulate or strive to be.  Why strive to be the smartest when you might be able to look like Miss South Carolina?  It is no wonder we are getting our butts kicked in everything when we put those good looking, dumber than a box of rocks people up as being our greatest attributes to society.
 
 
 
 

pissed off patricia @ 3:

Joe, maybe smart people aren't interested in being actors. Just a thought.

Good point and I suppose I am one of those that is not interested in being an actor in anything. Just once though, I would like to see someone being glorified for being a smart leader. I thought John Kerry would fit that bill. Today, I think John Edwards and many other Democrats also fit that bill. However, a lot of the Bush supporters do not or did not want that kind of person. They want someone "they could have a beer with" to lead. In other words, they want an actor, not a leader.

Thanks for the Seymour Hersch link. He's one of the very few people I would go out on a limb for and call a hero. Love the Condi graphic, but I would have liked something a little more in the style of Francis Bacon. More decay and decomposition would be fitting.

My Blog Round Up:

Are Tucker Carlson’s Days Numbered?

Tucker has been phoning it in since his airtime was slashed in June and his contract expires next month.

If you have media that spend more air time on the activities of Anna Nichol Smith, Britney Spears and Paris Hilton and O.J. Simpson than the rest of the news put together, and culture that really does put presentation over substance, you get what you deserve.

The part about people not accepting the science of moonlight is disturbing. These are the same people that cannot see the similarities between themselves and Al-Qaeda or Taliban. I fear the direction such "christians" would want to take us.

Thanks Mike.

Loved this one Blue Gal. -->Bush in 30 Seconds Blog: Suddenly surrounded by idiots?