Conservatives are just mean people.

[morteduzionism]

"Mean" might be too strong a word but I couldn't think of anything else. Some time ago I posted a similiar thread stating the same thing and now I'm revisiting the subject.

I just read an article in the current edition of The Chronicle of Higher Education. In this article a professor conducts research and discovers empirical data suggesting conservatives are simply not the type of people who become professors.

The study found that liberal students valued things like intellectual freedom, creativity and making theoretical contributions to science. While conservatives put more emphasis on personal achievements and orderliness, they chose more jobs that provided "lots of money"(Accountant/Computer Science)

The previous post was mostly anecdotal but after reading this article I'm even more convinced that those are not the types of people I want running any country I'm living in.

Like I said "mean" may be too strong a word. Having said that, if this research is to be believed then it's suggesting that at the core Conservatives are selfish and self centered.

The person conducting the research is a self proclaimed conservative.

[Petite Pete]

I was unaware that personal acheivement could be "mean."

[edders]

I've seen a study that proves liberalism is a mental disorder. And a study that proves conservatives are inherently bitter and spiteful (well, the conservative children of liberal college professors anyway). Whilst there are inevitably going to be certain features more prevalent in one group than another, the most common features I've found coming out of lib/con or lef/right samples are that conservatives are more likely to drink black coffee, and they read different books.

Since I can't see your study I know nothing about it, but I could just as easily argue that liberals are lazier or "meaner" than conservatives because they go for cushy jobs. In case you hadn't noticed jobs that earn lots of money also tend to be extremely stressful and competitive, especially law, finance and "executive" positions.

EDIT: Oh, and it's easy to value intellectual freedom in a field where everyone agrees with you.

[Pontifex Maximus]

I'm not mean. Just forceful and long winded.

[El Brujo]

Grrrr

[Ó Cathasaigh]

I'm mean. But only on the Internet. Even those who take the brunt of my abuses would probably get along with me if we met in person.

I'm really a nice guy.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Suuuuure...

[Ó Cathasaigh]

Pontifex. I would sweep you off your feet with my charm.

[Pontifex Maximus]

I am an easy target for anyone with an Irish accent I must admit.

[Ó Cathasaigh]

Then it will be difficult for me to woo you. Unless you want me to talk like the Lucky Charms guy...I've pretty much mastered that.

Hearts Stars and Horseshoes!

[Pontifex Maximus]

Then it will be difficult for me to woo you. Unless you want me to talk like the Lucky Charms guy...I've pretty much mastered that.

Hearts Stars and Horseshoes!

If you're born and bred Irish, you've got it. But yes, I would love to have Leprechauns run around speaking to me all day. I should do PCP.

[Oldgamer]

"Mean" might be too strong a word but I couldn't think of anything else. Some time ago I posted a similiar thread stating the same thing and now I'm revisiting the subject.

I just read an article in the current edition of The Chronicle of Higher Education. In this article a professor conducts research and discovers empirical data suggesting conservatives are simply not the type of people who become professors.

The study found that liberal students valued things like intellectual freedom, creativity and making theoretical contributions to science. While conservatives put more emphasis on personal achievements and orderliness, they chose more jobs that provided "lots of money"(Accountant/Computer Science)

The previous post was mostly anecdotal but after reading this article I'm even more convinced that those are not the types of people I want running any country I'm living in.

Like I said "mean" may be too strong a word. Having said that, if this research is to be believed then it's suggesting that at the core Conservatives are selfish and self centered.

The person conducting the research is a self proclaimed conservative.

Morte, anyone can be selfish and self-centered. Liberal or conservative. It doesn't matter.

A conservative values basic core values stemming from the Great Enlightenment, liberty, independence, individualism, and constitutionalism.

Also, I am a conservative who became a professor. However, to become a professor, I had to hide my conservatism, because my more liberal colleagues did not value academic freedom like they said. After I was tenured, then I was free to "be all that I could be", they couldn't fire me, and all of my sections were full of students.

Go with a conservative student to visit the campus of Berkeley, and see how much the liberal students "value intellectual freedom". It could be an eyeopener.

[Shaun]

Go with a conservative student to visit the campus of Berkeley, and see how much the liberal students "value intellectual freedom". It could be an eyeopener.

Under no such definition of liberalism could those types of people be encompassed in it.

[morteduzionism]

Morte, anyone can be selfish and self-centered. Liberal or conservative. It doesn't matter.

I know that. Does anything in my post imply otherwise?

A conservative values basic core values stemming from the Great Enlightenment, liberty, independence, individualism, and constitutionalism.

I don't know or care what a conservative values. I was simply relating the findings of research I found interesting.

Also, I am a conservative who became a professor. However, to become a professor, I had to hide my conservatism, because my more liberal colleagues did not value academic freedom like they said. After I was tenured, then I was free to "be all that I could be", they couldn't fire me, and all of my sections were full of students.

Your point? The person who conducted the research is a conservative and a professor. The research didn't suggest conservatives never become professors, it only suggests that they aren't suited for the profession. Whether or not your "sections were full of students" or not is undebateable since it's only your word we have to go on.

Based on your previous comments I find it perplexing that you would choose employment at an institution whose socio-political views didn't conform with your own. I would've imagined you'd want to teach at a Bob Jones University or someplace similiar.

Since you're a professor or former professor you should be able to get your hands on the current issue of The Chronicle of Higher Education(Feb. 22) where you can read the article yourself and see precisely what your fellow conservative found.

Go with a conservative student to visit the campus of Berkeley, and see how much the liberal students "value intellectual freedom". It could be an eyeopener.

For who?

I'm not even sure how this is relevant to the conversation.

[Oldgamer]

I know that. Does anything in my post imply otherwise?

The tone of your post seemed to imply that conservatives are mean-spirited. After all, the name of the thread is "Conservatives are just mean people."

I don't know or care what a conservative values. I was simply relating the findings of research I found interesting.

The "research" itself, being anecdotal, is certainly dubious. And conservative values are part of what it is to be a conservative, I would think. Are you saying that you don't know what a conservative is? If this is so, why are you so opposed to conservatism?

Your point? The person who conducted the research is a conservative and a professor. The research didn't suggest conservatives never become professors, it only suggests that they aren't suited for the profession. Whether or not your "sections were full of students" or not is undebateable since it's only your word we have to go on.

And we have only your word, and some anecdotes, that conservatives are "mean". Considering where I gained tenure, I would say that this conservative was well-suited to be a professor. Like I said, however, the process of gaining tenure was difficult, since I had to hide who I really was. So much for academic and intellectual freedom in the university ...

Based on your previous comments I find it perplexing that you would choose employment at an institution whose socio-political views didn't conform with your own. I would've imagined you'd want to teach at a Bob Jones University or someplace similiar.

Why would someone with a Ph.D. from Princeton bother with Bob Jones University (ignoring the not-so-subtle ad hominem)? However, I taught at the Catholic University where I gained employment for the reason that all people seek employment in prestigious places ... to have influence, and earn a significant living.

Since you're a professor or former professor you should be able to get your hands on the current issue of The Chronicle of Higher Education(Feb. 22) where you can read the article yourself and see precisely what your fellow conservative found.

I shall do so, have no fear.

For who?

I'm not even sure how this is relevant to the conversation.

It would be an eyeopener for you, Morte. Liberal students generally are not very tolerant of any belief-structure that does not fit them exactly. Indeed, their intolerance can sometimes spill over into violence.

However, I also encourage you to go to one of the most conservative colleges in the United States. Take a visit to the campus of Eureka College, in Eureka, Illinois. This is the alma-mater of President Ronald Reagan. Something like 80% of the student body belongs to the Young Republicans. Your views would not be popular there.

However, you would find that the students at Eureka would welcome you, and talk many different issues over with you without a hint of anger, or a threat of violence.

[johnny5000]

However, you would find that the students at Eureka would welcome you, and talk many different issues over with you without a hint of anger, or a threat of violence.

I take your anecdotal evidence and raise you one.

I was a liberal student on a conservative campus, and I did receive a lot of threats and anger from more conservative students. I can't speak for any experiences at Eureka since I've never been there, but you can't frame one political faction as being more accepting of opposing viewpoints. Both are pretty terrible at it

[Oldgamer]

I take your anecdotal evidence and raise you one.

I was a liberal student on a conservative campus, and I did receive a lot of threats and anger from more conservative students. I can't speak for any experiences at Eureka since I've never been there, but you can't frame one political faction as being more accepting of opposing viewpoints. Both are pretty terrible at it

Johnny, I don't doubt you for one second. This is my whole problem with the basic assumption of this entire thread ... that one political faction is "meaner" than the other one.

[misfitsfiend138]

Go with a conservative student to visit the campus of Berkeley, and see how much the liberal students "value intellectual freedom". It could be an eyeopener.

God i want to do that so bad, haha.

as for the mean part, i can be a real dick sometimes but im mostly a giant teddy bear

[Carach]

I am a conservative

yea and u were in nam napalming women and children!

seriously though; ur post is pretty accurate for most places; liberals are basically hypocrites.

[Dunecat]

yea and u were in nam napalming women and children!

WHOAH, too soon...

seriously though; ur post is pretty accurate for most places; liberals are basically hypocrites.

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