re: Is academia biased?

Quoting TheNuge:" i just read your post with the Goldwater quote. I certainly see his point. Given our system and the ... [snip!] ... liberal alliances with the media, academia, hollywood/pop culture, sometimes i understand needing to "hold your nose" and jump."

I see the fear of liberalism. I don't see any recognition of the incredible polarization that has been happening over the last decade. Most conservatives are not any better than the liberals they despise. A lot of the liberals are similarly situated, they're just as entrenched, intolerant and uncompromising.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Leisurely Duchess:</b>" I see the fear of liberalism. I don't see any recognition of the incredible polarization that has been ... [snip!] ... liberals they despise. A lot of the liberals are similarly situated, they're just as entrenched, intolerant and uncompromising."</blockquote>



That's why I don't like either. I am a libertarian. Fiscally conservative and socially for the individual doing whatever they want in the confines of the constitution.

Quoting Leisurely Duchess:" I'm not making a who-is-smarter argument. It's no state secret that universities are hunting grounds ... [snip!] ... need to promote things like the military and police. Conservatives thus respond more strongly to propaganda that promotes fear."

oh yes! Student should be recruited from universities. It's an obvious fertile area for talent. When i refer to "academia," I'm not including the students.

and, i agree about professors being "special."

I'm refering to Orwell as nearly every bright person knows something about his books and they create great imagery.
I'm sure those "fear studies" are interesting as conducted by.... academics :-)

<blockquote><b>Quoting TheNuge:</b>" oh yes! Student should be recruited from universities. It's an obvious fertile area for talent. When ... [snip!] ... about his books and they create great imagery. I'm sure those "fear studies" are interesting as conducted by.... academics :-)"</blockquote>




It's interesting to see the breakdown in my specific field of study. Social and linguistic anthropologists tend to be more liberal. Physical anthropologists tend more to conservatism. I think it has to do with actually having to do back breaking work versus being able to do all of your work out of a classroom.

Quoting Leisurely Duchess:" Don't forget that most people still see only a two-party system. They looked at the GOP this election ... [snip!] ... I knew that I did not have to vote at all to help ensure that Romney & Co didn't get into office. Then there's this ... "

VWS.

<blockquote><b>Quoting SpaceCowgirl:</b>" How so? I thought her point was the professors are liberal and therefore "brainwashing" their students ... [snip!] ... believe. I don't think they are brainwashing anyone, but people are going to teach with their natural biased thrown in the mix."</blockquote>


We have examples of higher education "professionals" who belittle, demean and even punish a republican stance.

Anyone who thinks these educators aren't protecting their own financial investments (campaign contributions) and the unions who are known backers of the liberal ideology, is completely off their rocker and living in a fantasy world.

Times are changing, which is obvious with election results.

I remember talking to a judge, friend of mine, who sees jurors on a daily basis. Highly educated people, in general, possess the least common sense, he claims.

I'd have to agree, from my own experience.

I miss the blue dog democrats of days gone by. They are almost non existent.

Quoting TheNuge:" oh yes! Student should be recruited from universities. It's an obvious fertile area for talent. When ... [snip!] ... about his books and they create great imagery. I'm sure those "fear studies" are interesting as conducted by.... academics :-)"

You didn't create great imagery.

What you said was "these groups are so dominated by liberals that it's better to gamble on these other guys over here"

You haven't actually established what is so horribly terrifying about X, Y and Z groups having liberal leanings.

Quoting ~Julie Blue Eyes~:" <blockquote><b>Quoting SpaceCowgirl:</b>" How so? I thought her point was the professors ... [snip!] ... I'd have to agree, from my own experience. I miss the blue dog democrats of days gone by. They are almost non existent."

1) You're always going to have some smurfs in any given group

2) We live in a monetary system, and in such a system, anyone who does not look to promote their own financial interests does not succeed.

3) "Common sense" does not exist, it's a myth.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Leisurely Duchess:</b>" 1) You're always going to have some smurfs in any given group 2) We live in a monetary system, and ... [snip!] ... who does not look to promote their own financial interests does not succeed. 3) "Common sense" does not exist, it's a myth."</blockquote>




1) True

2) True also

3) I think you just used common sense to answer #2. ;P

I can agree that it's not very "common"...sense, that is.

Quoting Leisurely Duchess:" You didn't create great imagery. What you said was "these groups are so dominated by liberals that ... [snip!] ... over here" You haven't actually established what is so horribly terrifying about X, Y and Z groups having liberal leanings."

i mentioned orwell creating great imagery for my head and for others. I didnt attempt creating an image.

I never said anoything about it being "better to gamble on these other guys." I'm not advocating a switch to making higher ed conservative instead of liberal. I'm advocating having diversity of thought and some balance for those paying for and expecting an excellent education.

I dont think liberal leanings are terrifying on their own. I think they are scary when institutionalized and when the "leanings" are in the mid to high 90%s and when they are shaping young minds that are expected to shape our society.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Leisurely Duchess:</b>" 1) You're always going to have some smurfs in any given group 2) We live in a monetary system, and ... [snip!] ... who does not look to promote their own financial interests does not succeed. 3) "Common sense" does not exist, it's a myth."</blockquote>



Off topic, but you have 25k + posts, but you aren't familiar to me. Why haven't I seen you in D&D before? You are very articulate.  

Agree or disagree (don't know yet), I like it!

I think maybe the biggest problem between the liberals and conservatives is the balance between capitalism and socialism.

All of the most successful countries have a mix of capitalist and socialist ideals.

You literally cannot have a healthy country that is purely capitalist, because capitalism is a form of Social Darwinism [it really doesn't matter what you call it, the ideas between the two are the same], and SD can only be destructive to social groups in the long run because it is a gross misapplication of classic Darwinism. Capitalism is also not the great in the long run because it is an infinite growth paradigm, you cannot have infinite growth without infinite resources, so this kind of system offers a boom of growth at the beginning, short-term gain, but catastrophe towards the end.

Socialism can only go so far as well, since it is an economic system that relies on monetary systems. I once remember hearing that "economics is a form of brain damage" and I'm inclined to agree. No economic system is viable for the long term because none factor in vital aspects of the biosphere that sustains our existence. There is literally no place for them in economic equations. That is not only unrealistic, it is patently absurd.

Quoting ~Julie Blue Eyes~:" <blockquote><b>Quoting Leisurely Duchess:</b>" 1) You're always going to have some ... [snip!] ... to me. Why haven't I seen you in D&D before? You are very articulate.   Agree or disagree (don't know yet), I like it!"

I'm recently returned from about a one year hiatus. I usually spend most time in D&D when I'm online

Quoting Leisurely Duchess:" I'm recently returned from about a one year hiatus. I usually spend most time in D&D when I'm online"

And, I have to tell you, I am soooo glad you are back. D&D hasn't been the same, at least one of our greats has returned  

Quoting Leisurely Duchess:" I think maybe the biggest problem between the liberals and conservatives is the balance between capitalism ... [snip!] ... our existence. There is literally no place for them in economic equations. That is not only unrealistic, it is patently absurd."

I agree. Also we have the mindset of "my way or the highway" which will not work. Two parties sitting with their arms crossed refusing to compromise. It's only their extreme they will agree with.