Liberals are smarter according to a recent study:
The study found that young adults who said they were “very conservative” had an average adolescent IQ of 95, whereas those who said they were “very liberal” averaged 106.
The scientists attempt to explain this in evolutionary terms, essentially saying that caring about total strangers is counter-evotutionary and only contemplated by people smart enough to think outside the box.
I frequently visit Pharyngula, where PZ Myers talks a lot about science, religion, atheism, and related topics. Here’s what he had to say about that article:
http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2010/02/stop_patting_yourselves_on_the.php
I’m an atheist and while I don’t share other people’s belief in any God, I don’t understand what good it does to claim that “we’re smarter/better than the other guys”. I know a lot of intelligent people who are religious and a lot of not-so-smart folks who aren’t. This study doesn’t prove anything to me.
So true.
And the conclusions of the study aren’t very convincing. And IQ as a measure of intelligence is pretty bogus.
I agree with Pz when it comes to the study. However, in my opinion, subscribing to religion and conservatism both limit your thinking and world view. And I’m sure we would both be in agreement on that, as well.
Caring for total strangers is counter-evolutionary?
Anyone with a newborn knows that that squalling little thing that refuses to talk is a “stranger” and yet parents and family and yes, even, strangers instinctively know to care for it.
Maybe the question should be what constitutes a stranger. I used to deliver mail in San Francisco. One day a guy from London, who delivered mail there, came up to me on Market Street and shook my hand. Instant simpatico.
Remember how Republicans were sneering about empathy during the 2008 elections? Empathy is a vital human emotion. Denying it is unnatural.
Society is in a constant battle between organizing around human values and organizing around wealth.
The explanations for the results seem counter-intuitive. isn’t it more likely that people less adept at independent thinking gravitate to authoritarian structures? where did they do this study? in the UK? for example, religion has a different role in the UK than in the USA. They have a monarchy and a state religion.
and we never gloat.
Don’t hate me because I’m rich and beautiful.
I can’t help it if I’m lucky! Or, maybe it was God’s plan.
.
A Pro-Government, Socially Liberal Generation
The “Millennial Generation” of young voters played a big role in the resurgence of the Democratic Party in the 2006 and 2008 elections, but their attachment to the Democratic Party weakened markedly over the course of 2009. The Democratic advantage over the Republicans in party affiliation among young voters, including those who “lean” to a party, reached a whopping 62% to 30% margin in 2008. But by the end of 2009 this 32-point margin had shrunk to just 14 points: 54% Democrat, 40% Republican.
Young voters were Barack Obama’s strongest supporters in the 2008, but the Democratic Party’s advantage among Millennials predates Obama’s emergence on the political scene. Indeed, they had been the party’s best age group in both the 2004 and 2006 elections.
"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."more likely they are concentrating on trying to get a job, finish school, get started on a career. they will resurface later this year, and certainly in 2012 (my 2 cents from seeing many of them every day – they’re a very serious group, very post racial and environmentally involved).
Confirming what I already knew. 😉
Anyone else get the song reference? Recorded by Harry Belefonte, among others. Would be fun to see someone do an update on the lyrics with this new data.
I keep hearing it in Bob Weir’s voice for some reason…
That’s probably because the Dead did a version. So did the Carpenters!
lol
It’s like watching 2 short people argue over who’s taller. To be sure, there’s a fact of the matter one way or the other, but it’s really quite beside the point.
http://www.docudharma.com/diary/19572/dont-start-bumping-your-bigoted-dheads-just-yet
This is probably not the type of evidence one likely wants to win a long-term argument on policy.
I hope everyone ignores it.