General Discussion

YoungDemCA

(5,714 posts) Tue Sep 9, 2014, 04:40 PM Sep 2014

130

A quote shared by a friend of mine on Facebook... [View all]

"In the last twenty years, we have lost the thirst for knowledge and enlightenment, while venerating swamp rats, duck killers, pawn shop hacks and Larry the Cable Guy, while at the same time whining about China, Korea and Japan eclipsing us in technology, research and finance, yet anyone who seeks knowledge and understanding is denigrated, their knowledge and research discounted, ignored or defiled."

-The original author of the quote unknown.

Thoughts?

62 replies

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A quote shared by a friend of mine on Facebook... [View all] YoungDemCA Sep 2014 OP

Excellent! Sherman A1 Sep 2014 #1

quintessential endstage capitalism Adam051188 Sep 2014 #2

Bread and circuses... YoungDemCA Sep 2014 #3

property shouldn't think. Adam051188 Sep 2014 #4

Maybe crumbs Depaysement Sep 2014 #49

I think it's entirely accurate Prophet 451 Sep 2014 #5

If not for the contemporary references, it could've come from Carl Sagan n/t arcane1 Sep 2014 #6

We're too busy with our War Fever. nt valerief Sep 2014 #7

People voted for Shrub because he was the person they most wanted kairos12 Sep 2014 #8

Those who seek knowledge are also shouldered with great debt. nt logosoco Sep 2014 #9

I believe that there must be some way out of the college/debt system BrotherIvan Sep 2014 #39

It is sad that it is like this and we do need to do something about it. logosoco Sep 2014 #40

I wish your son the best of luck BrotherIvan Sep 2014 #42

Thank you! His experience is teaching the whole family many things! logosoco Sep 2014 #45

That is just what I needed to read BrotherIvan Sep 2014 #47

Knowledge is free... freebrew Sep 2014 #55

"The tyranny of the ignoramuses... alterfurz Sep 2014 #10

I've never heard either of these wonderful quotes before. Demoiselle Sep 2014 #13

This message was self-deleted by its author Demoiselle Sep 2014 #14

One of my all-time favorite Zappa lyrics ymetca Sep 2014 #17

con't... alterfurz Sep 2014 #30

Thanks, MSM! And alternative media demonizes science and civil society. Utterly despicable. freshwest Sep 2014 #11

Exactly, there was a time I couldn't wait to watch TV... Historic NY Sep 2014 #12

And then there's the "History Channel". trof Sep 2014 #21

Vikings! KittyWampus Sep 2014 #22

Used to call it the Hitler Channel The Velveteen Ocelot Sep 2014 #27

Also gone through the "Bible" phase and "Aliens" phase. KittyWampus Sep 2014 #32

The Learning Channel, now TLC. CrispyQ Sep 2014 #33

As a researcher, I can't disagree and I'm saddened by the anti-intellectualism of Western culture. Liberal_Stalwart71 Sep 2014 #15

K&R ReRe Sep 2014 #16

It's very accurate except for one thing: I think it's been the last 30 years. mountain grammy Sep 2014 #18

It goes back a lot further than that. The Velveteen Ocelot Sep 2014 #31

Yep - Eisenhower himself NewJeffCT Sep 2014 #35

you are right! I was also a college freshman in 65-66 mountain grammy Sep 2014 #41

Kicked and recommended. Uncle Joe Sep 2014 #19

We have banks putting massive burdens of interest on aspiring students. JEB Sep 2014 #20

Long before Larry the Cable Guy there were The Beverly Hillbillies Divernan Sep 2014 #23

the talent was just as high in the 60's and 70's but women weren't doing the housework in heels KittyWampus Sep 2014 #25

Talent, yes, but your examples are limited to comedic programs Divernan Sep 2014 #36

then anything with a tree in it got crushed MisterP Sep 2014 #26

Fascinating article - thanks for that link. Divernan Sep 2014 #29

Good ol' H. L. Mencken: trof Sep 2014 #24

I do think there are groups in our society which respect knowledge and learning KittyWampus Sep 2014 #28

Thank You! that's a keeper n/t tech3149 Sep 2014 #34

I miss SwampRat. Blue_In_AK Sep 2014 #37

My thoughts ... 1StrongBlackMan Sep 2014 #38

sounds like Tyson or Nye Skittles Sep 2014 #43

This message was self-deleted by its author Skittles Sep 2014 #43

kids graduating college with good grades, stocking shelves, while millions of jobs go to China/India whereisjustice Sep 2014 #46

The rural redneck culture celebrates ignorance. Enthusiast Sep 2014 #48

To be fair, I don't think it's just "the last twenty years." The_Commonist Sep 2014 #50

Post removed Post removed Sep 2014 #51

Money rules tooeyeten Sep 2014 #52

Sorry, but "cancer" is not a single disease. Moostache Sep 2014 #56

You're not alone tooeyeten Sep 2014 #57

Anti-intellectualism runs deep in America deutsey Sep 2014 #53

I agree, but believe it really started earlier, like 1980. sinkingfeeling Sep 2014 #54

Back to at least the robber barons tooeyeten Sep 2014 #58

I disagree. Grins Sep 2014 #59

Truth lark Sep 2014 #60

Cult-like mega religions, Bill Bennett, Reagan/Bush, Multi-media monopoly, Dont call me Shirley Sep 2014 #61

WOW rtracey Sep 2014 #62