Who Are The "Elites"??

cwjerome

Diamond Member
Sep 30, 2004
4,346
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Everytime I post something about the arrogant "Elites", there's always a few people whose teeth clenches and veins pop as they demand to know just who those people are. So by popular demand, I will attempt to define this shallow little group. First and foremost, elitism is a state of mind... here's their basic tenets (not exhaustive, but capturing the essence):

1) We're brilliant. Those that disagree (most people) are dumb, especially the ones in power... although the morons that elect them come pretty close.

2) What morality? There is NO objective morality, but always remember we can do no wrong because there is no wrong unless we say so.

3) Religion is so 10th century. That whole 10 Commandments thing really cramps our style. Oh yeah, it's ok to be "spiritual" (but lose the religion ASAP).

4) Fly-over country. Let's face it, if you don't live on the coasts or a couple select communities, then what's the point? Our only experience with "them" is from watching "Raising Arizona"... and besides, they shop at Wal-Mart.

5) Victims, Inc. We have pity on the oppressed (whether they're oppressed or not). We need them to need us.

6) Internationalism is fun. The world hates us and it's America's fault. We need to be more like France. The UN ROCKS!


That covers some of the main attitudes most Elites share, but I think it's important to note that most people aren't true Elites, they just swallow the kool-aid from the genuine articles. There is hope that remedial reasoning can save those ;)

A couple of the past Elite posts that spurred this explanation:
UN
Election
religion
 

dmcowen674

No Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
54,889
47
91
www.alienbabeltech.com
Originally posted by: cwjerome
Everytime I post something about the arrogant "Elites", there's always a few people whose teeth clenches and veins pop as they demand to know just who those people are. So by popular demand, I will attempt to define this shallow little group. First and foremost, elitism is a state of mind... here's their basic tenets (not exhaustive, but capturing the essence):

1) We're brilliant. Those that disagree (most people) are dumb, especially the ones in power... although the morons that elect them come pretty close.

2) What morality? There is NO objective morality, but always remember we can do no wrong because there is no wrong unless we say so.

3) Religion is so 10th century. That whole 10 Commandments thing really cramps our style. Oh yeah, it's ok to be "spiritual" (but lose the religion ASAP).

4) Fly-over country. Let's face it, if you don't live on the coasts or a couple select communities, then what's the point? Our only experience with "them" is from watching "Raising Arizona"... and besides, they shop at Wal-Mart.

5) Victims, Inc. We have pity on the oppressed (whether they're oppressed or not). We need them to need us.

6) Internationalism is fun. The world hates us and it's America's fault. We need to be more like France. The UN ROCKS!


That covers some of the main attitudes most Elites share, but I think it's important to note that most people aren't true Elites, they just swallow the kool-aid from the genuine articles. There is hope that remedial reasoning can save those ;)

A couple of the past Elite posts that spurred this explanation:
UN
Election
religion

Summed up pretty well. How's this for summary:

The (RRRRRR) Rich Radical Religious Right Running and Ruining the Country. :D
 

DealMonkey

Lifer
Nov 25, 2001
13,136
1
0
If you bothered to check the definition of "elitist" you'd find that anyone regardless of politcal affiliation can be an arrogant elitist:

e·lit·ism or é·lit·ism n.
The belief that certain persons or members of certain classes or groups deserve favored treatment by virtue of their perceived superiority, as in intellect, social status, or financial resources.

The sense of entitlement enjoyed by such a group or class.
Control, rule, or domination by such a group or class.

Awful white of you to try and narrow that definition to fit only liberals. Why am I not surprised? :roll:
 

TuxDave

Lifer
Oct 8, 2002
10,571
3
71
So where do the Religious Elite fall in? As in...

I'm right, I don't have to explain why I'm right because I'm right, and if you disagree, you're going to hell. USA is God's country and everyone else should MOVE.
 

cwjerome

Diamond Member
Sep 30, 2004
4,346
26
81
If you bothered to check the definition of "elitist" you'd find that anyone regardless of politcal affiliation can be an arrogant elitist:

Yeah, a dictionary definition... exactly just how I've been using the term (and the reason why some wanted me to explain my label) :roll:

 

DealMonkey

Lifer
Nov 25, 2001
13,136
1
0
Originally posted by: cwjerome
If you bothered to check the definition of "elitist" you'd find that anyone regardless of politcal affiliation can be an arrogant elitist:

Yeah, a dictionary definition... exactly just how I've been using the term (and the reason why some wanted me to explain my label) :roll:
Oh I'm quite sure you've been custom fitting the term so it fits all of the liberals you love to hate. I mean come on, why deny it?!?
 

miketheidiot

Lifer
Sep 3, 2004
11,060
1
0
Originally posted by: cwjerome
Everytime I post something about the arrogant "Elites", there's always a few people whose teeth clenches and veins pop as they demand to know just who those people are. So by popular demand, I will attempt to define this shallow little group. First and foremost, elitism is a state of mind... here's their basic tenets (not exhaustive, but capturing the essence):

its actually more like everytone is laughing at you, but ok :)
 

Hayabusa Rider

Admin Emeritus & Elite Member
Jan 26, 2000
50,879
4,266
126
Another rousing thread on what is becoming a seriously boring and repetitious forum
 

biostud

Lifer
Feb 27, 2003
18,740
5,525
136
Originally posted by: cwjerome
Everytime I post something about the arrogant "Elites", there's always a few people whose teeth clenches and veins pop as they demand to know just who those people are. So by popular demand, I will attempt to define this shallow little group. First and foremost, elitism is a state of mind... here's their basic tenets (not exhaustive, but capturing the essence):

1) We're brilliant. Those that disagree (most people) haven't been enlightend.

2) What morality? There is NO objective morality, but we can as humans decide which things we think is good and bad and make our laws so they fit these terms.

3) Religion is so 10th century. Religion is for those who needs answers and the safety that a definate truth gives in our chaotic world

4) Fly-over country. ? Never been to US ;)

5) Victims, Inc. We have pity on the oppressed (whether they're oppressed or not). We need them to need us.

6) Internationalism is fun. The world hates us and it's Bush's fault. We need to act more like diplomats than cowboys.


That covers some of the main attitudes most Elites share, but I think it's important to note that most people aren't true Elites, they just swallow the kool-aid from the genuine articles. There is hope that remedial reasoning can save those ;)

A couple of the past Elite posts that spurred this explanation:

fixed ;)
 

cwjerome

Diamond Member
Sep 30, 2004
4,346
26
81
I don't know where you're coming from DealMonkey. I have a certain type of person in mind, and I want a good easy term that I can call it. I'm using the word -not the dictionary definition- because it's appropriate. When you try a little concept-formation, attach an existing word to it and you won't see me pitching a fit over semantic trivialities. By the way, I usually do qualify my Elite concept with Liberal, just for concrete thinkers like yourself.
 

TuxDave

Lifer
Oct 8, 2002
10,571
3
71
Originally posted by: cwjerome
I don't know where you're coming from DealMonkey. I have a certain type of person in mind, and I want a good easy term that I can call it. I'm using the word -not the dictionary definition- because it's appropriate. When you try a little concept-formation, attach an existing word to it and you won't see me pitching a fit over semantic trivialities. By the way, I usually do qualify my Elite concept with Liberal, just for concrete thinkers like yourself.

Well... while you're at it. Why not help out and make a definition for RRR?
 

DealMonkey

Lifer
Nov 25, 2001
13,136
1
0
Originally posted by: cwjerome
I don't know where you're coming from DealMonkey. I have a certain type of person in mind, and I want a good easy term that I can call it. I'm using the word -not the dictionary definition- because it's appropriate. When you try a little concept-formation, attach an existing word to it and you won't see me pitching a fit over semantic trivialities. By the way, I usually do qualify my Elite concept with Liberal, just for concrete thinkers like yourself.

The only problem is that you've attempted to define the word, presumably for all of us "knuckle draggers" who are apparently too stupid to know the definition (rather ironic in its own right), and yet you've missed the mark on every point except #1 and possibly #4.

So you scored at best, 2 out of 6. That's a 33.3% in my book and a big red "F" on your little rant. More likely, you thought you'd start yet another thread bashing liberals, because as the rest of us all know by now, you and your conservative ilk know better than liberals. Again with the irony...
 

cwjerome

Diamond Member
Sep 30, 2004
4,346
26
81
Dave has that one down pat... I PM-ed him for an explanation and he informed me it meant Radical Religious Republicans, although he has yet to define his concept like I have just done with mine ;)
 
Nov 11, 2003
92
0
0
what a joke...

i used to come to this forum to hear original, well-thought ideas about important issues. Now all i get is this crap.

 

dmcowen674

No Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
54,889
47
91
www.alienbabeltech.com
Originally posted by: WinstonSmith
Another rousing thread on what is becoming a seriously boring and repetitious forum

We can only hope the uneducated ones will drop off:

1-15-2005 No More Internet for Them

Stephen Seemayer had the first Pong video game system on his block. A decade later, the Echo Park artist was the first in his neighborhood to get a personal computer. And in 1996, he was so inspired by the World Wide Web that he created a series of small paintings for viewing over the Internet.

Now the 50-year-old Seemayer is once again on the cutting edge: Sick of spam clogging his in-box and spyware and viruses crashing his system, Seemayer yanked out his high-speed connection.

"I'm not going to pay for something that I can't use," he said.

A small but growing number of frustrated computer owners are coming to the same conclusion. They're giving up or cutting back their use of the Internet, especially at home, where no corporate tech support team will ride to their rescue.

Instead of making life easier ? the essential promise of technologies since the steam engine ? the home PC of late has made some users feel stupid, endangered or just hassled beyond reason.

For many, spyware was the last straw. During the last 18 months, the sneaky programs have soared to the top of the list of tech woes, triggering the most tech support calls to Dell Inc., the nation's top PC maker. Spyware lurks on as many as 80% of computers nationwide, according to the National Cyber Security Alliance, a trade group.

No one is immune. Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates discovered spyware on his personal machine not long ago.
================================================================

Ah, maybe there is hope :D Sing it with me "I'm dreaming of an Elitist free Internet"
 

cwjerome

Diamond Member
Sep 30, 2004
4,346
26
81
DealMonkey: Put your dictionary up, you're arguing something that's irrelavant. For the last time, I'm not using Webster's definition when I use that word... I'm "borrowing" the word for my own concept which I defined in the OP. OK? I'm not wasting any more time trying to explain that to you, so thanks for playing, buh-bye.
 

judasmachine

Diamond Member
Sep 15, 2002
8,515
3
81
I agree with you jerome for the most part. I am however a liberal, and you have to admit some of those titles and posts are rather inflammatory. Although a simple notification of it's flame bait quality would suffice your so called 'elites' just jump in flame thrower blazing, but they were somewhat setup.
 

Engineer

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
39,230
701
126
"Some people call you the elites; I call you my base."

Answer to Topic: the base.
 

illustri

Golden Member
Mar 14, 2001
1,490
0
0
cwjerome

are you monetarily wealthy? is your family? lets settle all this once and for all.
 

cwjerome

Diamond Member
Sep 30, 2004
4,346
26
81
Originally posted by: judasmachine
I agree with you jerome for the most part. I am however a liberal, and you have to admit some of those titles and posts are rather inflammatory. Although a simple notification of it's flame bait quality would suffice your so called 'elites' just jump in flame thrower blazing, but they were somewhat setup.

Judas, I think you're onto me. Even I will admit most of my posts are 10% truth (as I see it) and 90% flameworthy... but I mean, if you can't have fun with it why bother? ;)

 

cwjerome

Diamond Member
Sep 30, 2004
4,346
26
81
Originally posted by: illustri
cwjerome

are you monetarily wealthy? is your family? lets settle all this once and for all.


Why is this important? Settle what?

 

illustri

Golden Member
Mar 14, 2001
1,490
0
0
Originally posted by: cwjerome
Originally posted by: illustri
cwjerome

are you monetarily wealthy? is your family? lets settle all this once and for all.


Why is this important? Settle what?

ok here, because we're living in the wealthiest nation in the world, true"elitism" is best measured by money, and thats not so easily understood unless you're wealthy

everything you describe, the egotism, the mindset you rail against, comes from influence bought with capital, elitism comes from caring little about what others think, or what consequences comes from your actions... it comes from being the top gears of the established system, the wealthy being in control of that system, are the elites

so who are the elites? not intellectuals, not actors, not pundits, not political, moral, or spiritual leaders -- because when time comes for payday they ALL wear out their kneepads in front of the people who underwrite their causes
 

NeoV

Diamond Member
Apr 18, 2000
9,504
2
81
save this crap for the middle school kids you teach....it might sound impressive to them, but you sound like a Sean Hannity intern most of the time...