<p>East coast people, in general, are more "intellectual" than West Coast people. I had this nice conversation with this Harvard student once and he told me that even the homeless bums in Boston know what's going on. (reading the newspaper..etc) :rolleyes:</p>
<p>Wow, that's pretty cool.</p>
<p>I guess it just depends on who you know. Because my roomie (the same one whose music I hate) doesn't know **** about the election news going on right now and asks stupid questions and is shocked when I tell her how damn right-wing Palin is, yadda yadda. And in my head I'm like, **<strong><em>, get the *</em></strong> off Facebook, stop pining after the dumbass you led on for six months and read the goddamn news.</p>
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<p>But if that were the case, getting good grades in HS and going to UCLA is elitist. Getting a six pack would be also. Eating healthy would be too. See? Thats the problem with your analysis. Way too many things that are not even remotely antagonistic would be classified as being elitist. I'm going to say that a reasonable definition of elitism is the act of being exclusive and disparaging due to perceived superiority.</p>
<p>I have intellectual conversations with my roommates about which magnets to put on the mini-fridge.</p>
<p>Going to UCLA is elitist. It's a top 25 school. Compare this to the vast number of students stuck at Podunk U.
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disparaging due to perceived superiority.
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Perceived superiority by whom?</p>
<p>Calling oneself an intellectual is pretentious. It's irritating.</p>
<p>Getting a six pack or eating healthy - it is accessible. I think the key difference is -- how many people are exposed to 'intellectual' pursuits? The opera is a highly elitist institution -- how many people can afford tolerable tickets worth several hundred dollars? How many people have the luxury and time to discuss 'intellectual' and 'philosophical' topics? </p>
<p>The establishment of the university and pursuing these subjects is rooted in elitist tradition. People with the time [and money] can pursue these things. Latin, Greek, Classics, Literature,....
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Coffee, but if you're looking for "deep" conversations and people who talk about more than just makeup, you'll find them here if you actively seek them out. Talk about the stuff and you'll find others that are willing to join you. If you want to talk philosophy, start a philosophical discussion.
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Don't be too disappointed and don't set the bar too high. I did and I've resigned generally. I've found some really brilliant people and stimulating individuals - not necessarily because they're so 'intellectual' but that they have strong ideas and opinions that I would consider. In any case, Chicago probably would have been a better fit for me.</p>
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In any case, Chicago probably would have been a better fit for me.
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</p>
<p>NOPE. 10char</p>
<p>WHY NOT? 10ch</p>
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<p>Elitism is the belief or attitude that those individuals who are considered members of the elite — a select group of people with outstanding personal abilities, intellect, wealth, specialized training or experience, or other distinctive attributes — are those whose views on a matter are to be taken the most seriously or carry the most weight; whose views and/or actions are most likely to be constructive to society as a whole; or whose extraordinary skills, abilities or wisdom render them especially fit to govern
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<p>The reason why they would give it this definition is because elitism has a negative connotation attached to it. It would be unfair to ascribe this to those that are rich/fortunate but are generally nice and mind their own business( if they mind their own business, others ought to as well). Look at it this way: say you got an A( for whatever reasons,natural intellect, hard work it doesn't matter) on one your midterms and that most students got Cs (for lack of intellect, overburdened with work to pay college whatever) and one of those students said "hey thats not fair, she deserves a C like the rest of us!". Would you agree to give up that A? Similarly, would you turn down a full ride merit scholarship because receiving one would be elitist? </p>
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Don't be too disappointed and don't set the bar too high. I did and I've resigned generally. I've found some really brilliant people and stimulating individuals - not necessarily because they're so 'intellectual' but that they have strong ideas and opinions that I would consider. In any case, Chicago probably would have been a better fit for me.
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<p>Well I hope that it will at least be different than HS. HS was so boring. Yeah, U of C is a good school. But its too difficult to get in. And grade deflation!!</p>
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WHY NOT? 10ch
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<p>because you're here, pink</p>
<p>It's not so much that people purposely deem themselves elite - I took a bunch of course on PoliSoc in Fall and it really changed my perspective about our accessibility. It doesn't matter if you enjoy the benefits or not. I think the most important thing is that you have access to enjoy those benefits or the *leisure<a href="yes%20it%20is%20a%20leisure">/i</a> to pursue those interests. </p>
<p>Then again, this is someone who completely hated calling her honors seminars "honors seminars" and instead I resolved to call them "Seminar 189" or whatever the official course descriptions. </p>
<p>Anyway I see where you're coming from Coffee and as much as I appreciate your insight I still see it as an elitist institution overall... I wouldn't call yourself or myself an 'elitist' (depending on our positions which are more than blatantly obvious at this point) but I see it as a historical factor and the inaccessibility of most to pursue some things that are historically elitist - opera for example or 5-7 course meals at fancy restaurants or cultivating their interests in haute couture... etc. </p>
<p>China, how would Chicago not be a great fit for me? I visited once and I was extremely impressed by the students. I went into one dorm room and he was studying Pure Math I think. He had just about every edition of The Economist sprawled around his floor (perfect for the Econ department at Chicago), stacks and stacks of literary works that dominated his dresser. The amount of books were overwhelming and I felt almost at home... doesn't mean I don't like UCLA... I think I love it actually... as jaded as I sound in my posts at time.</p>
<p>Dear CoffeeBreak, I think we'd have some interesting discussions. What are you into? As for me, I'm really into politics, the current elections of course, current events in general but mostly national-related news... not so much an international buff but I have been following what's happening with Russia I think... it sounds like the Cold War all over again and a pseudo-World War III :rolleyes:, and I'm a literary buff but ah I wouldn't say I'm the strongest one right now... I get tired plowing through 600-1500+ page tomes but, I'm getting better. Alas! It's sheer masochism.</p>
<p>Yours,
Emmeline (if that wasn't obvious enough)</p>
<p>thankfully there is little intellectualism on campus....if you want to stroke your intellect, discuss with professors because most people who talk "ideas" have no idea what they are talking about...</p>
<p>I guess its just a difference in opinion. But even if true, I still think others should be more cautious when using the term "elitist". It has a highly negative connotation and if used enough can cause a lot of class tension and tension between different groups in general. </p>
<p>Emmeline, I would think so too. I'm into mathematics(I'm a math major duh!:p) ,economics; ethics and some other various branches of philosophy; some politics( such as issues in education and higher ed, healthcare, potential wars e.g Russia ); occasionally current events; sociology, popular science- physics, psychology(IQ debate, nature vs nurture etc),history( especially cold war), oh yeah, and I love to argue( non heated of course). </p>
<p>Say, we should have some sort of meet up when school starts. It would be cool meeting you and other members as well.</p>
<p>literature is something I've missed out on for years until late summer... :( just started Against the Day and I'm hoping it's not too hard for me to finish</p>
<p>tba, you can always check out JSTOR or some other online resources (not Sparknotes lol) to help you out. Just be patient! I read Notes from Underground by Dostoyevsky and it was one of the most difficult books I've ever read - and it was less than 150 pages... </p>
<p>Coffee, the majority of the users are thinking about a meet-up already and we've done it the previous year. </p>
<p>I have no interest in math so ever so we'll fail in that respect! Just keep updated with the election and I think we'll be swell! </p>
<p>Oh and even though you're a math major, I'm sure you'll have excess units after you're done with your major to do the fun-ner classes. Yeah!</p>
<p>So lets have a discussion:
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Because the Republicans, very clearly, believe that real people are idiots. This disdain for their smarts shows up in the whole way they’ve cast this race now, turning a contest over economic and foreign policy into a culture war of the Real vs. the Elites.
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And from the fact that the party’s dogged allegiance to up-by-your-bootstraps individualism — an individualism exemplified by Palin, the frontierswoman who somehow has managed to “balance” five children and her political career with no need for support — is leading to a culture-wide crack-up... Real people, the kind of people who will like and identify with Palin, they clearly believe, are smart, but not too smart, and don’t talk too well, dropping their “g”s, for example, and putting tough concepts like “vice president” in quotation marks.
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How ridiculous is this woman?! She's severely underqualified and a terrible comparison to Hillary Clinton! It's embarrassing that McCain would even suggest that. Palin says she Clinton left 18,000,000 cracks in the highest glass ceiling and that Palin would finally reach the highest position available for women - Vice-President. Imagine what she'd be like as Commander-in-Chief! As Cindy McCain says - the only foreign experience she has is Alaska's proximity to Russia... embarrassing and to think that Lieberman is going to train this woman!</p>
<p>oh wow never heard of jstor, thx
lol there are like wiki/guides for reading each of pynchon's books, so maybe I'll look at those too
dostoyevsky! I read crime and punishment last summer for english and it was really good... maybe I'll try that book, but it sounds intimidating</p>
<p><em>watches the discussion cause I know nothing about current-day politics</em></p>
<p>why does Cindy McCain keep talking?</p>
<p>and can someone explain to me wth is going on with Lieberman? "oh, since you didn't pick me, i'm running as an independent! but now i'm going to support the republican nominee because he is my friend and you can't STOP ME!!!!"</p>
<p>if Sarah Palin can't even get her daughter to use proper birth control or be abstinent, i don't see how she's going to impose her "righteous" will on the nation.</p>
<p>-_- politics make me angry.</p>
<p>Well, I haven't been updated in depth on the election for weeks now but here goes. </p>
<p>I think that the primary concern for mccain is that one of the main arguments he uses against Obama is that Obama lacks experience. Yet he chose Palin as a running mate. Ridiculous. And she won't talk to the media; most likey due to some error she'll make. Lack of confidence people? So yes, I'm on you side with this. Anyways, I'll have to delve into the topic more if I am to have a more meaningful discussion. </p>
<p>btw qipao. I added you.</p>
<p>I have to disagree with the east coast more intellectual take. Plus, I have had some great conversations with the homeless people that live in Santa Monica and Venice. I will put them up against Boston homeless intellectuals any day.</p>
<p>I haven't been updated on politics. Ever.</p>