Elitism

[Drathmoore]

Ah yes, making people seem absolutely brilliant, and elevating them above everybody else because they're "Gifted". Many a school in the UK are now hesitating to push their brightest, on the fear that they might be supporting it.

But why? And that's why I post this question, to ask for opinions: Do you think it's right to support or promote Eliteism?

The problem people see with Elitism (spelt correctly due to several complaints and Tsukatu's encouraging edit...) is that many see it as a threat to society; giving people enough power to take control, and use it for their personal greed, prejudice, etc. It leads off of the social classes; the upper classes, or "landed elites", had up until the early 1900's complete control over what happened in their area - they controlled the House of Lords. Also, they could run as MPs without needing pay, which hindered the numbers of middle class men running as MPs until around 1911.

Things like the UK Government have moved on since then, but these fears still remain - that the elite could take over and ruin everyday life, or in today's economic climate give themselves bonuses or privileges that are unavailable to the public. Sound familiar?

So what do we all think of Elitism then?


Tsukatu's Edit:

SMARTEST KID IN THE UK, HUH? SEEMS LIKE THE UK ELITE CANT EVEN SPELL "ELITISM" RIGHT, ASSHOLE.
ENTIRE SUBFORUM LOCKED AND USER BANNED FOREVER FOR IGNORANCE.

(...just kidding.)

<3 Tsukatu

You just can't comprehend my utter brilliance!

And now to rub it in everybodies' faces!

How?

By editting it so nobody knows!

Muwhahahaha!



...Wait...

[Lachesis]

Elitism is a good thing as long as people don't take it too far, i.e. electing Obama over Barr.

[otters~1]

...I'm aparently one of the smartest in the year...

And you can't even spell 'apparently' (or, for that matter, elitism).

[SlappyMcGee]

Spelling mistakes aside, people are better at shit than other people. That's what makes us special, or different, or whatever. You might be better at conning Cambridge into letting a kid without basic spelling into college, I'm better at wheelies on my bicycle. And there's nothing wrong about throwing a little praise at that.

[Atilla]

I'd prefer elitism to the attitude that nobody must excel in case it makes someone feel insecure (see also Tall Poppy Syndrome). The fact is, some people are better at certain things than other people. This is why we have Olympic athletes and doctors in quantum physics, rather than having everyone be equally qualified for everything.

[t̷s͢uk̕a͡t͜ư]

I'd prefer elitism to the attitude that nobody must excel in case it makes someone feel insecure (see also Tall Poppy Syndrome). The fact is, some people are better at certain things than other people. This is why we have Olympic athletes and doctors in quantum physics, rather than having everyone be equally qualified for everything.

I'm not so sure that elitism applies to someone who is only better at one or a few things than most people. There are some who are better at damned near everything than others.

There's probably going to be enough narcissism in this thread that I'm not going to feel bad using myself as an example.
I'm smarter than most people I know. I'm also better looking, more charismatic, more skilled, make more money, and have a more promising future than a pretty substantial chunk of these people. And when you take into account the fact that the people I tend to make friends with are themselves above average in most of their qualities, I think I can safely say I fit the bill for an elite human being. And when I'm around commonfolk, I frequently notice some issue they're struggling with that I could deal with effortlessly, and that only makes me even more of an elitist. I can use recent situations as examples: simple math problems, timing in dance choreography, keeping a beat, carrying a tune, resolving social conflicts, simple social manipulation... I can simply do most things much better than most people.
My closest friends are people who can not only do things better than I can, but can also do better at most things than most people. I have a great amount of respect for the people I consider my peers, and little short of total admiration for those I consider above that (I've met only one person I think of this way, and I work for him). For this reason, the sort of people I'd choose to hang around, ingratiate myself with, etc., are people who demonstrate general excellence. The moderating team on this forum, and especially the admins, are all fantastic examples.

What gets to me the most, and what I consider to be the actual problem, is people getting it into their heads that they are the elite when instead all they have is a consistent failure to gauge their own worth in relation to those around them. Much in the same way that I consider every now and again that I might just be insane, I'm paranoid enough that I could be one of these people and not realize it that I try to think as realistically of myself as possible. I assume that I know little about something until enough experience tells me better. I give people the benefit of the doubt until it becomes obvious that they're morons. But I've met my fair share of people who legitimately think they're the hottest shit around without actually earning a fraction of that mindset.
As for what to do about this problem, though... I think it's a problem that solves itself for the most part. People will earn what they can. And if they can't earn anything, then they'll live meaningless lives of disappointment and self-loathing until they learn the hard way where their limits actually are. I'm not bothered by these people unless they embarrass me in better company.

[Kablizzy]

I think my best-selling T-shirt speaks for itself.

[otters~1]

...I'm aparently one of the smartest in the year...

And you can't even spell 'apparently' (or, for that matter, elitism).

That was my shot at elitism.

[blue_tetris]

Elitism is better than the alternative: populism. A big dumb group is no better than a small smart group just because it's big.

EDIT: Hmmm. In retrospect, though, a small smart group isn't better than a big dumb group just because it's smart. My colleagues and I hadn't entertained the possibility prior to this post. Perhaps a big smart group would be neither populist nor elite, but awesome.

[GamingWolf]

How can I not make an opinion here? Ha.

I like to think that even though people may be better than others, that each individual has his or her chance if they try hard enough. Also the better man in question really should have good intentions as well. If you think you're better than someone else morally that's some mighty fine cooperative competition. I think back to a time in which I could of accomplished something sooner and think that it was all a big misunderstanding on everyone's part. Sure you might run into a complete idiot but if he wants to be better he has a better chance than lazy bastards who refuse to improve themselves because they think they're good enough already. There is always room for improvement because without a doubt in my mind we simply can't wrap around our heads what perfection possibly is. We know what it might be like to be better but somewhere down the road you're gonna run into some jerk who can do something you can't. It's no longer too personal to me since I have chosen not to do what he's doing. Be the best at being you. Be better at being yourself than anyone else can be. Be the best idiot who as unusual lisp without really being a homosexual. Be the best trash-talking, conniving douche bag the world has ever seen. I'm going to be sitting here at the computer doing what I love to do best and making a spectacle of myself. Hopefully I'll be okay.

[blackbelmoral]

How can I not make an opinion here? Ha.

I like to think that even though people may be better than others, that each individual has his or her chance if they try hard enough. Also the better man in question really should have good intentions as well. If you think you're better than someone else morally that's some mighty fine cooperative competition. I think back to a time in which I could of accomplished something sooner and think that it was all a big misunderstanding on everyone's part. Sure you might run into a complete idiot but if he wants to be better he has a better chance than lazy bastards who refuse to improve themselves because they think they're good enough already. There is always room for improvement because without a doubt in my mind we simply can't wrap around our heads what perfection possibly is. We know what it might be like to be better but somewhere down the road you're gonna run into some jerk who can do something you can't. It's no longer too personal to me since I have chosen not to do what he's doing. Be the best at being you. Be better at being yourself than anyone else can be. Be the best idiot who is unusual lisp without really being a homosexual. Be the best trash-talking, conniving douche bag person the world has ever seen. I'm going to be sitting here at the computer doing what I love to do best and making a spectacle of myself. Hopefully I'll be okay.

im with you all the way.
i was supposed to be in an "advanced" program, but i didnt want too. so my parents forced me to go to a private school.

[Condog]

You just don't understand elitism.

[29403]

Condog is very elite, because he's so modest.