View Full Version : Are "extreme" right wing people less intelligent ?
This question have filled my mind now and then
When I read some of my friends response on FB I get the feeling that..they perhaps are missing a screw or two..I respect their standpoint its just like they hadn't been listening in school or so.
Let me give an example
Some one posted a picture of a Palestine Wedding where you could see a line of fine dressed men on the left side and little girls on the right side. The girls had also fine clothes on and was wearing flowers
You can guess the response to that picture.
I and some others tried to explain that it was a tradition in Palestine..the little girls lead the men into the mosque and give him to his coming wife.
There are many more situation that makes me wonder if these "extreme" right wings are less intelligent...
Markus
People on the "extreme" ends of the political spectrum, left or right, are given to the same malady of being "true believers" much like religious fundamentalists. They cling to a blind faith in the utterances of their "leaders" and shun anything which comes even close to disputing their beliefs. Logic, factuality, or common sense are anathema to them if it threatens to shatter their bubble of self-righteousness. Extremism is the ultimate surrender of free will, independent thought, and considered rationality to a dogma, particularly when applied to politics. What I often find amusing is the staunch stance of "personal freedom" taken by those of the extreme right or left who have given over all of theirs to a blind acceptance of "our way is the right way". The perception of irony is seemingly lost on them...
<O>
I think every kind of "extreme" is less intelligent, myself. Once you start "drinking the cool aid", so to speak, intelligence tends to go out the window and get replaced by programmatic reflexes.
Betonov
03-09-15, 05:34 PM
Left, right, same retards.
But I have a feeling that the right is more loud when it comes to idiocy. But then again, the left can be as equally pretentious
The reason to why I used the word right wing is because these friends I had in mind is more or less on the right side of the political line.
You are right it's not just those right wing people that lack intelligent
Markus
Stealhead
03-09-15, 07:40 PM
Honestly I think at least with some people politics is like a religion to them and as a result they really get into it whatever party line they follow. I suppose in away it gives people a feeling of being a part of something. Of course at the same time I think there are people that spout lots of hoopla but then they don't vote or anything.
Honestly I think that most people but not all are opportunists and if some ultra right wing or ultra left party took over they'd be licking the powers that be boots finding any way to advance themselves. Just look at most of the major revolutions in history and you'll see plenty of opportunists.
Here's what I consider a litmus test for intelligence as regards beliefs and convictions: notice the repeating words and phrases people rely on when making their arguments on something they're angry or upset about. Then ask them to explain what it is what they're upset about, WITHOUT using those words at all. Intelligent people will be able to explain it in plain language and still make sense. Those with extreme beliefs will either make no sense, or get really angry at you, or both.
GoldenRivet
03-09-15, 07:54 PM
Extremists, regardless of the left or right orientation of their extremism are of limited intelligence.
Stealhead
03-09-15, 08:21 PM
Here's what I consider a litmus test for intelligence as regards beliefs and convictions: notice the repeating words and phrases people rely on when making their arguments on something they're angry or upset about. Then ask them to explain what it is what they're upset about, WITHOUT using those words at all. Intelligent people will be able to explain it in plain language and still make sense. Those with extreme beliefs will either make no sense, or get really angry at you, or both.
Goes a bit like this http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kQFKtI6gn9Y
Goes a bit like this http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kQFKtI6gn9Y
I'll go with that. :yep: I wouldn't say that left or right are any less or more intelligent than each other, extremists in general tend to be a little less willing to question matters and a bit more willing to follow the party line, so long as that party line is not of mainstream opinion.
I honestly wouldn't even say that the right are louder than the left, it's just that we only hear certain parts where we are, and it also depends a lot on who is in power. If a left wing leader is in power then the right wing extremists will be the loudest, if a right wind leader is in power then the left wing extremists will be the loudest. Tis the nature of the beast. :/\\!!
“Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?”
― George Carlin
Some people use the word "extreme" in the same way.
nikimcbee
03-09-15, 11:30 PM
“Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?”
― George Carlin
Some people use the word "extreme" in the same way.
I'm going to go with this answer. :salute: I'll just add, it must be getting close to political season.
Are people on the right...less intelligent. Given that the majority of right wing people in my country are earning twice as much on average as the left wing... I'm starting to wonder whether the left wing people are intelligent in the right respects.
Now what I will say is less intelligent people tend to be right wing. (There's a careful distinction here). This is because from my limited experience "Taking a sledge hammer to crack a nut" is what less intelligent people do... and guess what using extremely large weapons are associated with...
Or another example is parents who are less intelligent might say, "Do as I say and not as I do." or something to that effect. Where as a parent who is more intelligent might suggest, "This is what I am doing and why I am doing it. These are the advantages and disadvantages." One is authoritarian, the other is libertarian and again associated with right and left respectively.
Of course, intelligent people can be both because they have weighed up all the facts, decided what they believe in and where the evidence points to form their decision. Less intelligent people can also be both depending on what environment they are in, but given an unbiased environment I think would take the sledge hammer rather than the nut cracker.
Maybe I'm a little biased as I'm not just a Libertarian-Collectivist I'm a European Libertarian-Collectivist :rock:.
Communist! Get him!! :haha:
http://www.nndb.com/people/490/000051337/joseph_mccarthy.jpg
I'm going to go with this answer. :salute: I'll just add, it must be getting close to political season.
Only in Europe, although since the US political season starts about five years before the next election... :O: :haha:
In Europe we have quite a few elections this year, the UK, Spain, Denmark, probably Greece again before the year is out. :dead:
Tango589
03-10-15, 03:04 AM
In Europe we have quite a few elections this year, the UK, Spain, Denmark, probably Greece again before the year is out. :dead:
Oh yes, the time when nations across Europe unite in promising their citizens the moon on a stick, the extremists jump up and down getting agitated and shouting their favourite slogans, those with the power are planning on what to do with it and those cynical/realist bunch are wholly unsurprised when the wheels fall off the whole damn thing. (I count myself firmly in this group).
HunterICX
03-10-15, 04:51 AM
In Europe we have quite a few elections this year, the UK, Spain, Denmark, probably Greece again before the year is out. :dead:
Greece has a bit of catching up to do in the Netherlands the last 4 parlaments terms where like this: An issue arose followed by a disagreement with the 2 elected parties and before they finished their term....
http://i.imgur.com/UEHxg1n.gif
As for the extreme left or right sounding less intelligent....they would probably disagree....one will claim you are bought by the bank whilst the other thinks you're an muslim sympathizer.
Betonov
03-10-15, 05:44 AM
Don't forget Slovenia. We had elections in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Why should 2015 be any different :/\\!!
Here also is election year! :woot:
Jimbuna
03-10-15, 05:59 AM
Here also is election year! :woot:
As in the UK also.
^ SO the circus will be in several countries this year!:-j
Jimbuna
03-10-15, 06:51 AM
^ SO the circus will be in several countries this year!:-j
STEED would be best qualified to answer that :03:
STEED would be best qualified to answer that :03:
Me? :-?
Armistead
03-10-15, 08:07 AM
Right wing religious people are probably less intelligent, but I think due more to closed minds, lack of questioning and often don't go into fields of science. That said I know many that because of hard work run their own businesses, have strong family structures and upper middle class. However, I don't like extremes right of left in positions of power...
Are "extreme" right wing people less intelligent ?
Comes down to who you are and how you react and so on.
Sailor Steve
03-10-15, 11:11 AM
I'm not sure if intelligence is really the deciding factor. People can be highly intelligent in some areas and amazingly obtuse in others. The Carlin observation and the one on "bought by the banks" both seem to be true. Extremists will almost universally tell you that they are the ones in the center, but there is this one thing that just has to be changed.
I think the first thing anyone should do in every situation is ask themselves whether they might be wrong. The extremist in any walk of life will never question his own motives or beliefs. He'll tell you he does, and he'll talk about his own "reason" and "logic", but in fact he won't use either, at least when talking about his pet subject. That said, in other areas he can be accomplished and smart.
And no, I don't have any real answers.
Rockstar
03-10-15, 11:28 AM
...
And no, I don't have any real answers.
http://ct.fra.bz/ol/fz/sw/i51/5/3/26/frabz-Butbut-but-but-skylar-need-good-role-model-b14770.jpg
Rockstar
03-10-15, 11:35 AM
Actually when I first the saw the title of this thread I thought. Wow that sort of question lends credence to the idea that everyone lacks a certain amount of intelligence. :O:
Thank you every one for your indeep response. You are correct you can not say that it's just the right wing.
Here's something else..
I have noticed among my right wing friends that a majority of them strongly believes in some of the conspiracy that we have discussed thousands of times here.
Here's another reason, I have also some left wing friends and they seems to have their feet solidt on the ground..
Hey I'm a right wing my self, but not extreme. If +10= nazis I'm +1-1˝
Markus
There is such a thing as extreme, I think. For me that line begins where denial of others' humanity and fundamental rights begins to happen.
There is such a thing as extreme, I think. For me that line begins where denial of others' humanity and fundamental rights begins to happen.
I agree but unlike some here it shouldn't be applied to a private citizen just for expressing an opinion.
There is such a thing as extreme, I think. For me that line begins where denial of others' humanity and fundamental rights begins to happen.
I like very much the way you put it, CCIP. :yep:
I agree but unlike some here it shouldn't be applied to a private citizen just for expressing an opinion.
So both of you just are reasonable human beings, and object to that last stance from Lieberman saying Arabs opposing TA's regime should be beheaded.
How much time is it going to take before a majority in the US thinks the same way, therefore making you able to erase that intolerable shame you're responsible for in the ME, now that's another question. :nope:
corporalspiffy
03-10-15, 08:15 PM
anyone who has firm convictions is an extremist and therefor of lesser intelligence. the truly intelligent are spineless wishy washy flag pole rags that fly which ever way the wind happens to blow sort of like a u-boat that has lost its rudder.
anyone who has firm convictions is an extremist and therefor of lesser intelligence. the truly intelligent are spineless wishy washy flag pole rags that fly which ever way the wind happens to blow sort of like a u-boat that has lost its rudder.
That's a little ironic, because it's usually the people who get called extremist that follow whichever direction their leaders or ideologies tell them to go to, without considering the consequences. While not necessarily an example of extremism as such - U-boats, rudders and all, may be a perfect example of where that leads, being technically-obsolete murder-suicide machines that sailed for the benefit of an unwinnable war being waged by a xenophobic dictator. With conviction, to be sure.
As for the note on private beliefs: that's not a problem until one realizes that in a representative democracy, people who are promoting extremist and antihumanitarian views are, in effect, doing very real political work - so I don't think it's wrong to call them out on it or be offended. The moment they enter the public sphere, those views are already an indirect threat to someone.
How much time is it going to take before a majority in the US thinks the same way, therefore making you able to erase that intolerable shame you're responsible for in the ME, now that's another question. :nope:
Why how pretentious of you Alex. :roll:
Wolferz
03-11-15, 06:12 AM
Not less intelligent but, maybe insane.
Oh wait!...
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb295/Wolferz_2007/palin-stupid.jpg
Never mind.:-?
Definition of insanity: Doing the same thing over and over and over and over and expecting a positive result each time.
Not less intelligent but, maybe insane.
Oh wait!...
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb295/Wolferz_2007/palin-stupid.jpg
Never mind.:-?
Definition of insanity: Doing the same thing over and over and over and over and expecting a positive result each time.
Right because it's only the republicans who say stupid things...
http://images.sodahead.com/polls/003766112/7d666490cbb984e3d9fa58e6f7dfc1aa_answer_5_xlarge.p ng
Wolferz
03-11-15, 11:11 AM
Right because it's only the republicans who say stupid things...
http://images.sodahead.com/polls/003766112/7d666490cbb984e3d9fa58e6f7dfc1aa_answer_5_xlarge.p ng
I'm equal opportunity when it comes to slamming politicians...
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb295/Wolferz_2007/Better-Left-Unpublished-1.png
But, they have the best intentions.
:haha:
:har::har::har:
nikimcbee
03-11-15, 11:14 AM
@ August.
I see your Pelosi and raise you a Biden.
https://timenewsfeed.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/nf_biden_tweets_0121.jpg?w=260
Wolferz
03-11-15, 04:24 PM
@ August.
I see your Pelosi and raise you a Biden.
https://timenewsfeed.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/nf_biden_tweets_0121.jpg?w=260
Does he give goof oration like Nancy?
Why yes, yes he does.:doh:
Scary to think that either of them could be just one heartbeat away from the oval office.
Scary to think that either of them could be just one heartbeat away from the oval office.
Then you have to ask you self. Is it them that are less intelligent or is it you the American voters that fall for what they say and vote for them ?
Markus
Then you have to ask you self. Is it them that are less intelligent or is it you the American voters that fall for what they say and vote for them ?
Markus
Well truth is nobody really votes for a Vice President. They're on the ticket yeah but the election is really about who gets the oval office. The Veep at most serves as an indictment of the Presidential candidates judgement.
em2nought
03-11-15, 09:16 PM
There are many more situation that makes me wonder if these "extreme" right wings are less intelligent...
Markus
...maybe the extreme fiscal right is "more" intelligent. :hmm2:
Wolferz
03-13-15, 03:30 PM
Then you have to ask you self. Is it them that are less intelligent or is it you the American voters that fall for what they say and vote for them ?
Markus
Please don't lump us all in with the crazy people.:stare:
I didn't vote for any of the current crop of turds.:-?
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb295/Wolferz_2007/Barack-Obama-Yoda---91614.jpgMind tricks only work on the weak minded.
Sailor Steve
03-13-15, 03:50 PM
"Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it."
—Mark Twain
Rockstar
03-13-15, 06:06 PM
Then you have to ask you self. Is it them that are less intelligent or is it you the American voters that fall for what they say and vote for them ?
Markus
Hey Markus have you ever listened to George Carlin? Some would say he answered your question. Everyone laughs.
Caution This video is a replay of a live act performed by George Carlin and contains what some may view as vulgar and offensive language.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xIraCchPDhk
.
AngusJS
03-14-15, 09:28 AM
Are people on the right...less intelligent. Given that the majority of right wing people in my country are earning twice as much on average as the left wing... I'm starting to wonder whether the left wing people are intelligent in the right respects.The thing is, a university professor in the left-leaning academy makes much less than a broker on right-leaning Wall Street. But I'd say it takes more intelligence and knowledge to do the former than the latter, thus it's a mistake to tie intelligence and knowledge to earning potential.
On the whole, people on the right and the left have the same general level of intelligence, defined as the ability to obtain knowledge.
However, if we define knowledge as having access to facts in your mind, then the left is more knowledgeable than the right. The right tends to accept fundamentalist religious dogma more, and reject science more. This happens less on the left.
Even comparing the far left to the far right, I would say the far left accepts more facts about the world than the right. "Capital" blows the bible out of the water in this regard.
Catfish
03-14-15, 11:23 AM
^ also, an empathic person who cares for others, probably will hesitate to use his elbows, or to downright use force to eliminate another, even if this other one may be the pure evil.
I would say that the left as most of the people understand it, have shown no more mercy than right-wingers (speaking of Lenin and Stalin on the left and Hitler on the other) when it comes to mass slaughter and such.
However "the left" had at least some better scientific backup to justify their actions (revolution theories of Voltaire, Rousseau, or much later Marcuse. In this respect, any revolution had to be discussed, if the means to reach the goal for a better society, really justifies brute force and killing. If not, better let it go. It has not helped the ordinary man that much, though.)
Let me ask another question: Was Djinghis-Khan politically left, or right ? :yep:
Betonov
03-14-15, 12:17 PM
Let me ask another question: Was Djinghis-Khan politically left, or right ? :yep:
He was right because there was no one left when he was done.
He was right because there was no one left when he was done.
http://i.imgur.com/oEhVvjZ.gif
Betonov
03-14-15, 12:46 PM
Thank you, I'll be here all week :)
Catfish
03-14-15, 01:14 PM
He was right because there was no one left when he was done.
BlahLike after a war, when all that counts is who's left, not who was right blahblah. Hey do not try to be wisecrackier than me, i am trying desparately to build a monopoly out of that :hmph:
:O:
But in a way you unintentionally answered it, brutality and bad behaviour is not reserved for one side, and not at all for any political one.
To have political sides means we can bash each other, while strongly evading the real qestions how the future should be formed.
Politicians do not have real answers, they are just riding on the inventions and ideas of other people.
Betonov
03-14-15, 01:27 PM
BlahLike after a war, when all that counts is who's left, not who was right blahblah. Hey do not try to be wisecrackier than me, i am trying desparately to build a monopoly out of that :hmph:
Monopoly is something even the extreme left and right despise :hmmm:
Rockstar
03-14-15, 01:46 PM
Monopoly is something even the extreme left and right despise :hmmm:
He must be a witch then, and we all know what do with witches?
https://virulentwordofmouse.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/burn-the-witch-monty-python.jpg
Betonov
03-14-15, 01:55 PM
I never understood witc hunts.
A person has magical powers over matter and life and they burn them.
I'd employ them to further my gains, not waste time and fuel for a bonfire.
Catfish
04-07-15, 12:28 PM
"Are "extreme" right wing people less intelligent ?"
Yes.
"Are "extreme" right wing people less intelligent ?"
Yes.
...and they are too unintelligent to know they are...
<O>
CaptainHaplo
04-08-15, 12:33 AM
But I'd say it takes more intelligence and knowledge to do the former than the latter, thus it's a mistake to tie intelligence and knowledge to earning potential.
And what makes you come to that conclusion? It is often stated: "Those that can, do. Those that cannot do - teach." Given some of the stuff so called "professors" come up with, I would strongly disagree that teaching takes some greater level of intelligence and knowledge.
On the whole, people on the right and the left have the same general level of intelligence, defined as the ability to obtain knowledge. However, if we define knowledge as having access to facts in your mind, then the left is more knowledgeable than the right.
Assuming we can agree to put the occasional stupid misstatement aside, intelligence isn't just what one knows or "can" know - it is also how one makes use of that knowledge.
The left tends to ignore the facts of history, continually refuses to accept facts of science that does not fit its agenda, and often invents false "facts" to push a narrative that is (often known to be) untrue. Additionally, the left often refuses to observe facts even when it gives voice to them.
The right tends to accept fundamentalist religious dogma more, and reject science more. This happens less on the left.
Come on - you can't be serious. 2 words for you.... Global Cooling - no wait - it became Global Warming. Oh darn it, sorry, its "Climate Change" now. Scientific facts (using NASA's own data) shows that "greenhouse gases" have not contributed to a warming of the environment. In fact, it shows that we have been in a cooling cycle for the last 17 YEARS. Study shows that almost globally, raw temperature data was "adjusted" upward to create an outcome not backed up by facts. That data - ignored by the left. Instead, data has been manipulated to create a desired outcome - a "false fact". Another "false fact" - the claim that the science was settled and that 97% of scientists agreed that global warming was real and man made. Turns out the WSJ fact checked that - and only ~1% actually believed that. The fact: 31,000 scientists signed documentation stating that:
“there is no convincing scientific evidence that human release of carbon dioxide, methane, or other greenhouse gases is causing or will, in the foreseeable future, cause catastrophic heating of the Earth's atmosphere and disruption of the Earth's climate."
Yet the left refuses to accept the facts and instead make up their own false "facts". Why? Because its a multi-billion dollar money making cash cow for them.
Maybe you don't like those examples? Lets try these:
Fact: Obama correctly states that he does not, per the Constitution, have the executive power to create amnesty for illegal aliens. Yet in the end - he ignores his own fact and attempts to do it anyway.
Fact: "Hands up, don't shoot" didn't happen. Yet the leftist race baiters and those who want to look like they care about minorities pushed this as fact. Not only did the left ignore those who tried to correct the error, those who were truthful were in fact threatened for telling the truth about what occurred.
Fact: Duke Rape Case - another leftist "get the privileged white boys" witch hunt that turned into a total fiasco when it turned out to be an entirely false accusation.
Fact: UVA Fraternity Rape - basically the Duke case all over again. A reporter who actually wanted to "find" this story, went looking and "found it", then didn't check it because it fit the leftist agenda (get the evil white boys) and ended up turning out to be a fabrication.
I could go on and on. Chicago, Detroit and many other cities being run by the left for decades, and the poor who are supposed to be the priority of the left are worse of than ever before? Failure to learn from history.
Fact: No majority of Americans have supported Obamacare at any time in its history. (Check realclearpolitics.com for that)
Fact: Obamacare has made health care MORE expensive for the middle class. Feel free to google that and just read the articles from CNN and CBS - hardly "conservative" paragons.....
etc. etc. etc.
Even comparing the far left to the far right, I would say the far left accepts more facts about the world than the right.
Yea, you might want to rethink that claim given the above....
If you REALLY need more examples, feel free to ask.
Gunnarr
04-08-15, 02:12 AM
The extremes exist throughout history... was Charles Maurras unintelligent?? I don't think intelligence has any major correlation with any political school of thought in a way you can say one is more intelligent than the other. It is philosophy after all really.
Take specific examples of common people though at the extremes of any political movement, it will result in examples of ignorance, hatred, bigotry, xenophobia, intolerance of every kind.
No reason to judge a political movement based on the least of its followers, who do not always even understand the concepts they believe in.
Betonov
04-08-15, 03:45 AM
No reason to judge a political movement based on the least of its followers, who do not always even understand the concepts they believe in.
The extreme is always in the minority, but always the loudest.
That's the problem because they'll invent problems that don't exist or make mountains out of molehills to sway more moderates towards the extreme.
@CaptainHaplo: I've replied to the Climate Change bits of your post here (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2304844&postcount=126).
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