Are "extreme" right wing people less intelligent ?

mapuc · 03-09-15, 04:57 PM

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

vienna · 03-09-15, 05:18 PM

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>

CCIP · 03-09-15, 05:27 PM

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

mapuc · 03-09-15, 05:34 PM

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.

CCIP · 03-09-15, 07:51 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.

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by CCIP

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

Oberon · 03-09-15, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stealhead

Goes a bit like this

I'll go with that.

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.

August · 03-09-15, 10:24 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.

nikimcbee · 03-09-15, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by August

“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.

I'll just add, it must be getting close to political season.

Relmu · 03-09-15, 11:46 PM

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

.

Oberon · 03-10-15, 12:57 AM

Communist! Get him!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikimcbee

I'm going to go with this answer.

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...

In Europe we have quite a few elections this year, the UK, Spain, Denmark, probably Greece again before the year is out.

Tango589 · 03-10-15, 03:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oberon

In Europe we have quite a few elections this year, the UK, Spain, Denmark, probably Greece again before the year is out.

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).

03-09-15, 04:57 PM	#1
mapuc CINC Pacific Fleet Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Denmark Posts: 20,545 Downloads: 37 Uploads: 0	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

03-09-15, 05:18 PM	#2
vienna Navy Seal Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Anywhere but the here & now... Posts: 7,719 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	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> __________________ __________________________________________________ __

03-09-15, 05:27 PM	#3
CCIP Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Waterloo, Canada Posts: 8,700 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 2	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. __________________ There are only forty people in the world and five of them are hamburgers. -Don Van Vliet (aka Captain Beefheart)

03-09-15, 07:51 PM	#7
CCIP Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Waterloo, Canada Posts: 8,700 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 2	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. __________________ There are only forty people in the world and five of them are hamburgers. -Don Van Vliet (aka Captain Beefheart)

03-09-15, 07:54 PM	#8
GoldenRivet Subsim Aviator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 8,726 Downloads: 146 Uploads: 0	Extremists, regardless of the left or right orientation of their extremism are of limited intelligence. __________________

03-09-15, 05:34 PM	#4
Betonov Navy Seal Join Date: May 2009 Location: Slovenia Posts: 8,647 Downloads: 26 Uploads: 0	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

03-09-15, 07:40 PM	#6
Stealhead Navy Seal Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Kentucky Posts: 5,421 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	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.

03-09-15, 10:24 PM	#11
August Wayfaring Stranger Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 23,221 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	“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. __________________ Flanked by life and the funeral pyre. Putting on a show for you to see.

03-09-15, 11:46 PM	#13
Relmu Watch Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 25 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	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 . __________________ Dangerous Waters Score - Successes 30, Failures 190 ...oh boy.