Archangel357 said:
Jonluw said:
How exactly do you measure human worth, I wonder? Personally, I consider Humility to be one of the greatest personality traits, and any elitist lacks that trait. So to me elitists, by their very nature, are worthless. I consider most beggars (those who aren't dicks anyways) to be better persons than any elitist.
Also, allow me to inform you that "elitism" is spelled without the accent.
No, I don't think I will. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elite
See? Embarrassing, isn't it? This is what I am getting at. Fundamentally ignorant people having the unspeakable arrogance to talk like this to their intellectual betters. I think some humble pie and an apology are in order. SHouldn't be a problem for you, since you love humility so much.
Ah, indeed I must apologize. Those that use the original french-derived spelling are still with us. I must say though; that is a very strange gesture when that form is rarely seen these days.
Of course, believing me when I say the following will be hard, as I have no proof, but alas: In pointing out your apparent spelling error, I was actually expecting you to retaliate by showing me that your spelling was some obscure, but correct, side-form. In other words, I pointed it out to see if you used a fairly unknown form intentionally, in order to bait an inexperienced grammar-nazi. Judging by the swiftness of your reply, it might seem that was very much the case.
I find it entertaining how my arrogance annoys you though.
The difference between smart people and elitists is that smart people recognize abilities other than those of the field of their expertise, and appreciate those.
For example, I recognize that I am better at chemistry than some people in my class. I still don't think I am worth more than them though. They have other redeeming qualities. And even if they don't; with no education what so ever, they have potential to do work that's worth more than what I will do in the future.
I don't think I am worth more than a good baker or a good builder. However, right now, we are not talking about yeast content in sourdough or how to build girders, but about masterpieces of art and literature. In that field, my opinion counts more than many others'. When there is a thread about baking, I will gladly defer to any baker's superior wisdom. But since this thread is about the arts, you should award me the same kind of deference, should you not?
Oh, indeed you aren't worth more than a good baker or builder. That's not what I was saying though. What I meant was that no matter how many books you read, or how much you know about culture in the 17th century, you won't be worth more than a sub-par construction worker.
And no; your opinion isn't worth more than anyone's, no matter how well educated on the subject. If a great chef thinks a fish soufflé tastes fantastic, that opinion is worth nothing to me, since I think it tastes horrid. I hate fish, you see.
If the same chef lectures me on how to prepare the fish to get the most flavour out of it, I will naturally listen.
I will not, however, listen to a chef that shouts at me about how fish soufflé is better than strawberry shortcake.
You have no grounds on which to tell me what works I should think are good or bad. Sure, you can educate me on what works had the greatest cultural or historical significance, but that isn't what we're discussing here.
From the look of things, you have recently begun your studies on a field of literature, and I will have you know that whatever profession you go on to from there - except for author - it will be worth less to the world than the work of the most simple construction worker. A construction worker, after all creates something of actual worth, and contributes to a country's GNP.
First, you don't "have me know" anything, as has become embarrassingly evident in your feeble and misguided attempt to correct my spelling. Second, "cui bono?", what you call "actual worth", really isn't what should define the life of an academic. And finally, "recently"... let me put it like this. I had read several great works of European literature in their respective languages by the time I was 12. I have now been academically involved with the field since 2003. So no, unless you have at least a PhD or equivalent to your name in that field, I don't think I'll let you "have me know" jack shit.
Oh, sorry. I assumed, from your rather immature, condescending and arrogant behaviour, that you were probably a first or second year student. Turns out you're merely acting on a level below what would be expected from you. Fine.
I'll still have you know that, unless you create something of actual worth to society, you will be worth less than the simplest of construction workers in the grand scheme of things. Not to mention scientists; who actually contribute to the progress of the human race.
