<p>I am not really sure if this has been posted here before. If it has, I apologize.</p>
<p>The</a> American Scholar - The Disadvantages of an Elite Education - By William Deresiewicz</p>
<p>"The first disadvantage of an elite education, as I learned in my kitchen that day, is that it makes you incapable of talking to people who aren’t like you." </p>
<p>That's utter nonsense, penned by the recipient of an elite education who appears to be unacquainted with the syllogism.</p>
<p>The writer has an elite education; the writer feels awkward making small-talk with a plumber. Therefore, an elite education will deprive you of the ability to talk to plumbers.</p>
<p>Sorry, but it didn't work that way for me. I had no trouble talking to people who were "not like me" before I received an elite education, and have no trouble talking to people who are "not like me" now. </p>
<p>"Witness the last two Democratic presidential nominees, Al Gore and John Kerry: one each from Harvard and Yale, both earnest, decent, intelligent men, both utterly incapable of communicating with the larger electorate."</p>
<p>This is poorly written. Neither Gore nor Kerry was "from Harvard and Yale." One was from Harvard, and one was from Yale. Who beat them? Someone who was indeed from Harvard and Yale. Was Bush also "utterly incapable of communicating with the larger electorate"? If not, how did he manage to dodge the ill effects of an elite education?</p>
<p>Keep in mind that in 2000, Al Gore received more popular votes than any previous candidate in history. In 2004, John Kerry received more popular votes than any candidate had ever received in any previous presidential election year. These are pretty proud achievements for people "utterly incapable of communicating with the larger electorate".</p>
<p>"This is poorly written. Neither Gore nor Kerry was "from Harvard and Yale." One was from Harvard, and one was from Yale. Who beat them? Someone who was indeed from Harvard and Yale. Was Bush also "utterly incapable of communicating with the larger electorate"? If not, how did he manage to dodge the ill effects of an elite education?"</p>
<p>Well given the alleged intellect and status of Gore and Kerry, they could not connect on the same level b/c they were in fact from the elite tier. Although Bush was also included in this tier for apparent reasons, his ability to connect wasn't through his own choice to connect with the vast majority but rather through his stupidity and ignorance. In this case, his disabilities was a blessing more than it was a curse. People saw him screw up, heard him butcher words/phrases/etc, noticed how he created his own words, failed splendidly at countering with BS excuses. That made him human, that made him American, that made him the President. Picture perfect Gore and Kerry had everything we wished we could be and we wanted, Bafoon Bush was everything we knew we were. We saw a reflection of ourselves in Bush's imperfections and we flocked to it. This perfectly embodies why tabloid media, reality tv, and paris hilton can be what they've become today.</p>
<p>""Witness the last two Democratic presidential nominees, Al Gore and John Kerry: one each from Harvard and Yale, both earnest, decent, intelligent men, both utterly incapable of communicating with the larger electorate."</p>
<p>This is poorly written. Neither Gore nor Kerry was "from Harvard and Yale." One was from Harvard, and one was from Yale. Who beat them? Someone who was indeed from Harvard and Yale. Was Bush also "utterly incapable of communicating with the larger electorate"? If not, how did he manage to dodge the ill effects of an elite education?"</p>
<p>I think you need to read that again. He said one EACH, not that both of them were from both universities. And I would argue that the popular vote both accumulated had more to do with the polarizing nature of Bush than the strength of either candidate. I don't think anyone who is not Kerry or Gore is in denial about that at this point. That is part of the reason I think Obama is doing so well. Before he went to Harvard Law he spent a few years working in the inner city in Chicago. He knows how to relate to the common voter. Kerry and Gore, as much as they may care for the common man, did not know how to relate.</p>
<p>"He knows how to relate to the common voter. Kerry and Gore, as much as they may care for the common man, did not know how to relate."</p>
<p>It should not be overlooked, however, that the 'common man' did indeed vote for both Kerry and Gore. Millions of them in fact. Whether or not Kerry seems to be able to empathize with the plight of the "average American," it seems that almost half of the voters felt that he was able to lead the country.</p>
<p>The Common Man elected Gore,The reps elected Bush.</p>
<p>I read "one each" as "each one." My bad. It's still awkwardly worded, and poorly reasoned.</p>
<p>I wouldn't say great article...</p>
<p>True... I guess it really should have been interesting article. Wish I could change the title...</p>
<p>“So are you saying that we’re all just, like, really excellent sheep?”</p>
<p>Well ... in my experience with Yale undies, I would say yes. At least those who end up on Wall Street. :)</p>