Why are technical message boards overwhelmingly liberal?

[fskimospy]

Originally posted by: MikeyLSU

Originally posted by: eskimospy

Originally posted by: Doc Savage Fan
Let me see if I've got this straight...

Liberals are younger, smarter, more logical, less afraid of thinking, more educated, progressive, reinvent themselves and see failure as an opportunity, idealists, nobel, etc.

Conservatives are older, stupid, less logical, afraid of thinking, less educated, content with the way things are, too busy listening to AM radio, tend to have a persecution complex, think everyone else is stupid and greedy and won't shut up about it, whiners, rarely bother to formulate arguments or counter-arguments, post a lot of really stupid things, lack a fundamental willingness for critical thinking, basically assholes about their views, 'know' they are right, accuse others of being clearly stupid and a lesser person than them for not agreeing with them, bigots, etc.

I think this collage of comments from the various posts above clearly answer the OP's question.

That people who are more educated are more likely to be liberal is simply a fact. You can debate why this is, but it is true. Conservatism by definition attempts to maintain the status quo in a general sense. This is simply a fact. Liberalism attempts to change the status quo. This is simply a fact. Young people tend to be more liberal then old people. This is simply a fact. (although people also tend to liberalize with age, but usually they started off far more conservative so they don't actually overlap.) I'm not sure what you're trying to argue as a good chunk of the things you mentioned are just part of generally accepted reality.

Also, if you take your same approach to this thread then liberals are illogical, use their reasoning skills poorly, have big mouths, piss and moan all the time, call people names instead of putting forth a logical argument, would rather daydream then work, live worthless lives, etc... etc. See how dumb that idea is?

lol, what you say is so far from fact it is ridiculous. Liberal and Conservatism is driven much more by region than education. Like someone above said, the higher up the professional ladder they go, the more liberals they run into. I am the exact opposite. The higher I am getting I am running into many more conservatives. Why? Because I live in a much more conservative part of the country.

If I lived in California, I'm sure it would be different. But don't go saying your opinion and stating it is just fact.

Read studies about ideology and education. There are lots of them. You are simply wrong.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: Pliablemoose
You know how to turn a liberal into a conservative?

Make them earn & save $100K.

Worked for me

And if Republicans actually believed in cutting govt spending (and thus taxes) and govt power, this might be true for me as well. But they don't, now do they?

As it is, liberal/conservative is something that doesn't fit along party lines, and the definitions have been smeared in various media until they almost don't mean anything anymore. Nowadays, conservatives aren't really conservative, and liberals aren't always liberal.

The best quote I've ever heard on this was from Pete Seeger, who said, "I like to say I'm more conservative than Goldwater. He just wanted to turn the clock back to when there was no income tax. I want to turn the clock back to when people lived in small villages and took care of each other."

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: Doc Savage Fan
Conservatives are older, stupid, less logical, afraid of thinking, less educated, content with the way things are, too busy listening to AM radio, tend to have a persecution complex, think everyone else is stupid and greedy and won't shut up about it, whiners, rarely bother to formulate arguments or counter-arguments, post a lot of really stupid things, lack a fundamental willingness for critical thinking, basically assholes about their views, 'know' they are right, accuse others of being clearly stupid and a lesser person than them for not agreeing with them, bigots, etc.

That sounds more like a Texas Republican than it does a Conservative.

 

[GroundedSailor]

Originally posted by: Pliablemoose
You know how to turn a liberal into a conservative?

Make them earn & save $100K.

Worked for me

I went the opposite way. As I grow older and more mellow (IMHO), I went from conservatibe ideas to somewhat liberal. I've come to the conclusion it's better to live & let live than the other way around.

And yes I'm in the $100K + bracket

 

[Xonoahbin]

Originally posted by: MikeyLSU
many people use the word conservatives interchangable with Republicans, that couldn't be further from the truth.

Conservatives believe in less government mainly. Republicans of today have not gone down that path and have become much much more liberal.

I mean, McCain is no conservative, but is running as a rep.

This is absolutely what I planned to post. There seems to be a misnomer about the nature of liberal vs. conservative. It is not the same as Democrat vs. Republican. Neither of them is strictly liberal or strictly conservative. The Republicans, especially, have started to head towards the left side as well. I consider myself conservative, but half of the things that are associated with Republican do not fit me in the least because they're not conservative. I almost take offense to some of the things we conservatives are associated with, to be honest. A real conservative is going to be opposed to a nanny government deciding what people can and can not do in their lives. Apparently people assume I'm for a nanny government that bans gay rights and abortion. Blah.

 

[OrByte]

Originally posted by: Xonoahbin

Originally posted by: MikeyLSU
many people use the word conservatives interchangable with Republicans, that couldn't be further from the truth.

Conservatives believe in less government mainly. Republicans of today have not gone down that path and have become much much more liberal.

I mean, McCain is no conservative, but is running as a rep.

This is absolutely what I planned to post. There seems to be a misnomer about the nature of liberal vs. conservative. It is not the same as Democrat vs. Republican. Neither of them is strictly liberal or strictly conservative. The Republicans, especially, have started to head towards the left side as well. I consider myself conservative, but half of the things that are associated with Republican do not fit me in the least because they're not conservative. I almost take offense to some of the things we conservatives are associated with, to be honest. A real conservative is going to be opposed to a nanny government deciding what people can and can not do in their lives. Apparently people assume I'm for a nanny government that bans gay rights and abortion. Blah.

I guess it sucks to be a conservative these days because no one represents you.

I do feel for you and your fellow conservatives. I can't stand your Republicans

 

[GenHoth]

Originally posted by: Red Dawn

Originally posted by: Doc Savage Fan
Conservatives are older, stupid, less logical, afraid of thinking, less educated, content with the way things are, too busy listening to AM radio, tend to have a persecution complex, think everyone else is stupid and greedy and won't shut up about it, whiners, rarely bother to formulate arguments or counter-arguments, post a lot of really stupid things, lack a fundamental willingness for critical thinking, basically assholes about their views, 'know' they are right, accuse others of being clearly stupid and a lesser person than them for not agreeing with them, bigots, etc.

That sounds more like a Texas Republican than it does a Conservative.

And you wonder why more conservatives don't speak up :brokenheart: When anything we post (even well thought out and constructive posts) get flamed by what is essentially this post it isn't any wonder that we just go mind our own business. There are plenty of us on here, we just don't like to get stuck arguing with techs, harvey, butterbean et al.

 

[Xavier434]

Originally posted by: ProfJohn
Young college grads = core liberal group

Come back in 20 years and see how many of them have changed sides.

Or if Obama wins and tries to turn the country to the left watch them change faster.
Most of them are to young to remember how liberals actually run the country. The last time this happen was 1993-94. Other wise liberals have been out of power since 1980.

It is also worth noting that over time, there many things which were once considered liberal and are now viewed as being more conservative. With that said, a lot of people do not change sides over time as much as the sides change themselves. The rest is just labels.

 

[Fern]

Originally posted by: astralvoid
It seems very odd to me that most technical forums tend to be overwhelmingly liberal biased.
-snip-

Anandtech has a lot more conservatives on it than one would think. But I can tell you that by far, most avoid the P&N section and stick to their favorite tecnical sub-forum.

Fern

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: Fern

Originally posted by: astralvoid
It seems very odd to me that most technical forums tend to be overwhelmingly liberal biased.
-snip-

Anandtech has a lot more conservatives on it than one would think. But I can tell you that by far, most avoid the P&N section and stick to their favorite tecnical sub-forum.

Fern

Actually they all hang out in the L&R forums with all the other pervs.:laugh:

 

[fskimospy]

Originally posted by: GenHoth

And you wonder why more conservatives don't speak up :brokenheart: When anything we post (even well thought out and constructive posts) get flamed by what is essentially this post it isn't any wonder that we just go mind our own business. There are plenty of us on here, we just don't like to get stuck arguing with techs, harvey, butterbean et al.

You know that Butterbean is an arch-conservative, right? If you've got something constructive and well thought out to say, you should definitely say it. The vast majority of conservative posters on here have nothing of the sort to offer, it would be a welcome change.

 

[jonks]

Originally posted by: MikeyLSU
lol, what you say is so far from fact it is ridiculous. Liberal and Conservatism is driven much more by region than education. Like someone above said, the higher up the professional ladder they go, the more liberals they run into. I am the exact opposite. The higher I am getting I am running into many more conservatives. Why? Because I live in a much more conservative part of the country.

If I lived in California, I'm sure it would be different. But don't go saying your opinion and stating it is just fact.

Yeah, see, studies and statistics beat out your personal experiences. Statistically the more educated someone is the less likely they are to smoke. This is a fact. Just because one person then goes to a party and meets 10 people with a phd/mba/jd who are all smoking and then forms an opinion that a relatively large number of degreed people smoke, doesn't make his personal experience indicative of the larger reality.

 

[Vic]

Ah, poor widdle conservative victim mentality... :roll:

God, I hate this sh!t. There is nothing more UN-conservative than to be a whiny pussy. Wah, all the liberals are picking on me!

Stand up and be a man. or sit down and STFU.

 

[OrByte]

Originally posted by: eskimospy

Originally posted by: GenHoth

And you wonder why more conservatives don't speak up :brokenheart: When anything we post (even well thought out and constructive posts) get flamed by what is essentially this post it isn't any wonder that we just go mind our own business. There are plenty of us on here, we just don't like to get stuck arguing with techs, harvey, butterbean et al.

You know that Butterbean is an arch-conservative, right? If you've got something constructive and well thought out to say, you should definitely say it. The vast majority of conservative posters on here have nothing of the sort to offer, it would be a welcome change.

If he's got something constructive and "well though out" to say he didn't start off very well did he?

Butterbean lumped together with the Libbies!?!?!

I jest. :beer:

 

[Tab]

Originally posted by: MikeyLSU

Originally posted by: eskimospy

Originally posted by: Doc Savage Fan
Let me see if I've got this straight...

Liberals are younger, smarter, more logical, less afraid of thinking, more educated, progressive, reinvent themselves and see failure as an opportunity, idealists, nobel, etc.

Conservatives are older, stupid, less logical, afraid of thinking, less educated, content with the way things are, too busy listening to AM radio, tend to have a persecution complex, think everyone else is stupid and greedy and won't shut up about it, whiners, rarely bother to formulate arguments or counter-arguments, post a lot of really stupid things, lack a fundamental willingness for critical thinking, basically assholes about their views, 'know' they are right, accuse others of being clearly stupid and a lesser person than them for not agreeing with them, bigots, etc.

I think this collage of comments from the various posts above clearly answer the OP's question.

That people who are more educated are more likely to be liberal is simply a fact. You can debate why this is, but it is true. Conservatism by definition attempts to maintain the status quo in a general sense. This is simply a fact. Liberalism attempts to change the status quo. This is simply a fact. Young people tend to be more liberal then old people. This is simply a fact. (although people also tend to liberalize with age, but usually they started off far more conservative so they don't actually overlap.) I'm not sure what you're trying to argue as a good chunk of the things you mentioned are just part of generally accepted reality.

Also, if you take your same approach to this thread then liberals are illogical, use their reasoning skills poorly, have big mouths, piss and moan all the time, call people names instead of putting forth a logical argument, would rather daydream then work, live worthless lives, etc... etc. See how dumb that idea is?

lol, what you say is so far from fact it is ridiculous. Liberal and Conservatism is driven much more by region than education. Like someone above said, the higher up the professional ladder they go, the more liberals they run into. I am the exact opposite. The higher I am getting I am running into many more conservatives. Why? Because I live in a much more conservative part of the country.

If I lived in California, I'm sure it would be different. But don't go saying your opinion and stating it is just fact.

Nope, on average those that vote "liberal" are more educated and have higher incomes - this is a fact.

EDIT : I can't find any sources ATM, but I'm sure you log onto a peer reviewed journal of some kind you'll find the information. I've seen the charts before and I've doubt they've changed much at all.

 

[herm0016]

Originally posted by: Red Dawn

Actually they all hang out in the L&R forums with all the other pervs.:laugh:

this is really un-called for...

repub=\= conservative anymore.

 

[seemingly random]

Originally posted by: Arkaign
butterbean

Do you have him on a leash? Eight minutes later he appeared with yet another thoughtful post. Do us a favor and don't wake the beast next time...

 

[GenHoth]

Originally posted by: OrByte

Originally posted by: eskimospy

Originally posted by: GenHoth

And you wonder why more conservatives don't speak up :brokenheart: When anything we post (even well thought out and constructive posts) get flamed by what is essentially this post it isn't any wonder that we just go mind our own business. There are plenty of us on here, we just don't like to get stuck arguing with techs, harvey, butterbean et al.

You know that Butterbean is an arch-conservative, right? If you've got something constructive and well thought out to say, you should definitely say it. The vast majority of conservative posters on here have nothing of the sort to offer, it would be a welcome change.

If he's got something constructive and "well though out" to say he didn't start off very well did he?

Butterbean lumped together with the Libbies!?!?!

I jest. :beer:

Yeah, I disagree with what he says just as much as they do.

I want to jump in, but the conversation continues at such a pace that it has usually moved on and switched topics by the time I read it or formulate a response. And it often turns into a mud slinging contest, which I just hate walking through. Even if you don't take part, everyone still ends up covered in mud

 

[OrByte]

Originally posted by: GenHoth

Originally posted by: OrByte

Originally posted by: eskimospy

Originally posted by: GenHoth

And you wonder why more conservatives don't speak up :brokenheart: When anything we post (even well thought out and constructive posts) get flamed by what is essentially this post it isn't any wonder that we just go mind our own business. There are plenty of us on here, we just don't like to get stuck arguing with techs, harvey, butterbean et al.

You know that Butterbean is an arch-conservative, right? If you've got something constructive and well thought out to say, you should definitely say it. The vast majority of conservative posters on here have nothing of the sort to offer, it would be a welcome change.

If he's got something constructive and "well though out" to say he didn't start off very well did he?

Butterbean lumped together with the Libbies!?!?!

I jest. :beer:

Yeah, I disagree with what he says just as much as they do.

I want to jump in, but the conversation continues at such a pace that it has usually moved on and switched topics by the time I read it or formulate a response. And it often turns into a mud slinging contest, which I just hate walking through. Even if you don't take part, everyone still ends up covered in mud

dude all I can say is

JUMP IN

if you are conservative, and you feel you have something worthwhile to contribute...please do. cheers!

 

[Moonbeam]

There are liberals because there is deep truth in being liberal. There are conservatives because there is deep truth in being conservative. I am, depending on how you want to categorize it, neither conservative nor liberal or I am both. The simultaneous truth and falseness of opposites like conservative and liberal are integrated at a higher level of understanding as are all deep paradoxes that relate to truth. But because people hate themselves they can't integrate the opposites within them. The ego will not become the enemy swine even though it is that very swine. The war between liberals and conservatives is part of a need to stay asleep, to preserve the emotional state of endless conflict.

 

[spidey07]

As already pointed out it's very simple. The overwhelming age of members is young. That means they're liberal. Most of them will change as they get older.

Under 30 think with your heart, over 30 think with your head.

 

[jonks]

Originally posted by: Tab
Nope, on average those that vote "liberal" are more educated and have higher incomes - this is a fact.

EDIT : I can't find any sources ATM, but I'm sure you log onto a peer reviewed journal of some kind you'll find the information. I've seen the charts before and I've doubt they've changed much at all.

Political_Ideologies_in_the_United_States

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: spidey07
As already pointed out it's very simple. The overwhelming age of members is young. That means they're liberal. Most of them will change as they get older.

Under 30 think with your heart, over 30 think with your head.

Unfortunately we all know where your head is lodged..err.. at.

 

[GenHoth]

Originally posted by: OrByte
dude all I can say is

JUMP IN

if you are conservative, and you feel you have something worthwhile to contribute...please do. cheers!

ok, but be prepared for replies to posts from 2/3 pages earlier when I post :laugh:

 

[fskimospy]

Originally posted by: spidey07
As already pointed out it's very simple. The overwhelming age of members is young. That means they're liberal. Most of them will change as they get older.

Under 30 think with your heart, over 30 think with your head.

Not supported by studies. Try again.