This morning’s sunrise, captured only because I ran outside to get the New York Times and happened to see it as I came back up the driveway. It was spectacular.
I hope the sun stays with us today. We’ve had hints of it over the last two days, but cloudy skies prevailed. We’re headed to the Catskill Animal Sanctuary, so I’m asking Mother Nature to please let the sun shine throughout the day.
Do you remember last January/February when I was working in Hartford and I bought two tiny, tiny plants from the market to brighten up my apartment? You’ve seen that size – a very small pot with a starter plant.
Here’s the spider plant when I first brought it to the apartment:
Teeny tiny. And the pothos can be seen in the background in this picture:
That wee little spider plant has become rather large. In fact, it probably needs repotting.
As has the pothos (at least I’m pretty sure it’s a pothos.)
Do I take them with me to Hartford to have a little greenery in the apartment? I’m still pondering that one. As you know, I pack a lot of stuff to make the apartment feel like home. Do I want to pack even more?
I’m already making lists.
But first, I have a lot of prep to do, as well as some Christmas shopping.
This really isn’t political as much as it’s an observation and question, but I’ll do a font change anyway.
My question of the day: Why do so many people fall for Fake News? I don’t understand it. It seems that anything can be floated out there and it will be swallowed, hook, line and sinker, by a shockingly large group of people. Have we lost the urge, the need, to fact check? Do people just rely on one news source and believe anything and everything they hear/read there?
I’m rather partial to facts. If I’m at all uncertain about a piece of information, I do some research. With computers so readily at hand these days, there’s really no excuse not to investigate. But it’s becoming evident that people believe what they want to believe and a shocking number of them have no desire to do anything but parrot what someone else has said – no matter if it’s a lie.
And that brings me to this: does thinking, challenging, and questioning make me one of the ‘elite?’ That, by the way, is a term I despise. Since when did getting an education, and often going deep into debt to get that education, become something that branded someone as ‘elite?’ I don’t care whether someone went to college or not, by the way. My husband didn’t get a college education and neither did my parents. Makes no difference to me. But I do have a problem with that word – elite. I’m proud that I have a Master’s Degree. I worked hard to get it. But, it doesn’t make me better or smarter than anyone else. And it doesn’t make me ‘elite.’ Neither does living on the East Coast or the West Coast, both of which I hear bandied about, especially during a presidential campaign.
Of course, the reality is that someone decided to use that term to put a negative spin on the ‘other.’ And it was repeated and repeated until it took and now we hear it all the time.
It’s a falsehood. Those who want to learn and pursue higher education are called the ‘elite’ and those who live high up in gilded towers in the biggest city on the East Coast are referred to as ‘the common man.’ What’s wrong with this picture?
Okay. I have to get a move on.
Happy Friday.
Enjoy your day at the Animal Sanctuary. I too can’t figure out how people don’t fact check. I see many who see something on facebook and think it’s true. REALLY?? Anyone can post anything on there. I can’t tell you how many times I debunk stuff that family sends me. Elitist for getting an education? That disturbs me. I have some college and I’m well read so I’m elitist? I truly don’t know how to handle the negativity in this world right now. I guess I’ll go bury my head in a book again. Hugs to you and Don!
It disturbs me, too. I thought that was a positive thing to do!
I debunked something on FB the other day and it came from a fake news site leaning toward the liberal – so it’s not just conservative sites.
Have you finished the Jack Reacher?
I haven’t finished the Jack Reacher yet but close! I like it!
Complicated question. My mom didn’t have a college degree but she worked (for years, in a support-staff position) for the superintendent of a high school district (a huge one, in Los Angeles) and was surrounded by teachers/counselors who had upper-level degrees, referred to as “Dr. This” and “Dr. That.” Her description to me was, “They’re very good in the subject they teach but outside of the classroom, they often don’t function well in the practical world, although they continue to walk around with their nose in the air and think they’re better than anyone else. Their degrees don’t mean they’re an expert on everything but somehow they get it in their minds that they’re a cut above the rest. They think they’re elitist, and that the rest of us are in some sort of lower order.”
(Don’t take offense, Claudia. It’s just an observation. From somebody who encountered that in the 1940s.)
I have a sister-in-law (married to a lawyer) who is a real snob about her advanced degrees. I felt the minute she found out that I did NOT have a college degree, which was nearly thirty years ago, she ‘tuned out’ and never felt like I was worth having a conversation with, from that day forward. It’s not my imagination and, in fact, my husband (fiance at the time) warned me. And nothing about that has ever changed, not in all this time. I have no relationship with her. Conversely, my cousin has a PhD and is a professor at a major university; an author and speaker. She is the most kind, down-to-earth, humble-in-a-positive-way woman I’ve ever met. She treats everybody the same; humanely.
So, what am I trying to say…it depends, like most things, on the person? Just throwing it out there.
My dad ALWAYS said to me, “Don’t believe everything you hear. Don’t believe everything you read.” But I guess we forget. It’s like, once the word is on paper, it’s legitimatized, and we fall hook-line-and-sinker?
I fall victim to lazy brain. I think it’s a reminder that now, more than ever, we have to find that balance between red alert and alert. A certain vigilance that doesn’t put us into anxiety but keeps us aware…and, of course, that can, to an extent, be solved with fact-finding, as you’ve said. My husband has a college degree. He gets his news of the world from several sources. He doesn’t rely on just one TV newscast or one newspaper.
Change of subject.
Woke up to violent, cold wind today in Southern California.
I think you should take quilts, coffee, plants, framed photos, a favorite scent, a candle—anything to make you comfortable in digs that aren’t the cottage. I love how you do that and have since learned that someone I know who travels a lot on planes and who stays in a different hotel every night, does something smaller-scale but similar and very comforting.
I spent 13 years on the faculty of two universities. I found very few people who were snobby about their degrees, although I am sure they’re out there. I’ve also encountered those who were judgmental and snobby about all sorts of things and who didn’t have a college degree. It’s all down to individuals, whether educated on paper or educated in hard knocks or educated in hard work and no college degree. When anyone assumes something about a group of people, they’re trying to compartmentalize them and/or explain them and it never works, does it? Because no ‘group’ consists of all the same characteristics or all of the same personality traits.
I work for a very large fortune 500 company but I do not have a college degree. In my work I have encountered those that do and they are very awkward socially-they couldn’t talk about anything but work. My husband had a degree and he was a social butterfly! It does depend on the person.
If I could go back in time, and circumstances in my life were different, I would have gone to college. Would I feel “superior”? I would feel fortunate and pay it forward!
Yes. Pay it forward. I’ve tried to do that by using my degree and experience to teach young actors – and I did that for years.
Maybe East/West mentality is different from Midwest mentality…but elitist? Hardly! I graduated from college because I figured that was what I needed to do to get a decent job in the field I wanted. Didn’t work out that way…but I don’t regret it either. Never considered myself elitist. Think maybe it’s time for the people in their ivory towers to come down, mingle with us normals, and take a hard look at reality. I get my news from several sources…I’ve heard of people getting their news from Facebook…really? Why is that even a thing?
Yes…you should take the plants back to Hartford…they will probably enjoy it! And, it will be 2 less for Don to take care of! ;)
Well, I was born and raised in the Midwest and spent 30 years there. I’ve also spent over 30 years on the West and East Coasts and I don’t find any real differences in the mentalities of people in any of those places. Maybe because I’m a Midwest girl at heart? I don’t know. I think it’s an assumption people make, but not the reality. I didn’t find people in California any different from people out East or in NYC. That’s just my experience!
And, you’re so right, getting news from Facebook? That’s insane!
I’m finding that some people, liberal and conservative, tend to not fact check if news they read online aligns with their political views. They don’t care if it’s true or not…. if it re-inforces the views they already have, then it’s true to them. It’s so sad…
P.S. LOVE the photo!!
Thank you, Diane!
It is very sad, Diane!
Frankly, I think that the election and results highlight the fact that there has indeed been a dumbing down of America. Many people simply do not know how to think critically. Look at the low regard that many have for science. Also, I believe that life has become so overwhelming for so many people that they do not have the energy to question or think; they just buy whatever easy answer is being sold. We are in big trouble as a nation.
Yes, there has been a dumbing down of America. It’s been happening for a long time and it really showed itself in this election process. I don’t even know if they teach critical thinking skills anymore, Carolyn Marie. And that is very sad.
Fair question as we try to understand and make sense of the world around us. As Diane mentioned (above), people seem to gravitate to so called (pathetic attempt at) news and info that reinforces their personal views without any questions or the desire to investigate; as I have said over and over, people don’t mind being lied to as long as they like (or want) the lies……..they really don’t care if it is a lie.
I firmly believe the character, personality, intelligence and ethics of a person isn’t at all determined by education. Education may enhance our lives, skills and abilities, but will not make us a thoughtful caring individual. Snobs come in all forms and with different backgrounds; if that is a basic part of their character makeup, it will show up period regardless of the level of education. Thoughtful, giving, caring people are just that whether or not they had the benefit of a higher education. Being well educated does not preclude anyone having the qualities that make us worthwhile humans. As far as the elitist title, just another attempt to give a label, or name to a perceived enemy. Of course, it is also used in such a way as to denigrate someone who may be different. What must Walter Cronkite (thrashing around in his grave?) think? Not to mention Edward R. Morrow as well as all the other great journalists! I think you will agree dear Meredith would be the same person if circumstances had forced her to quit school before she finished high school; but education enabled her to contribute even more.
Wishing you a special fun day with some of the very best living creatures on this planet…..Dianne
Exactly! I agree with everything you said, Dianne. I often think, by the way, of Walter Cronkite and especially Edward R. Murrow. I can well imagine what they would think of all of this.
yes, the world seems topsy-turvy these days. I put it down to propaganda. Back in the 90s I listened to Rush Limbaugh because their was nothing else on the radio then and I was in the car a lot. He was also working to convince people that being poor was a good thing, it meant that they would be rich someday. And people bought into it. I remember one guy calling in and saying his parents only had 16,000 a year and raised a family on that. Back then 16 thou a year was pretty good middle class. But Rush convinced people they were poor and that was a good thing, because only poor people knew how to get rich and didn’t need no government assistance!!! Topsy turvy began there, I think.
You’re right, Jan. Everything is, indeed, topsy turvy – and Rush certainly was a part of it. IS a part of it.
How long will you have to stay in Hartford, Claudia? You always make even a temporary space a home. Yes, I vote to bring the plants too, for the same reason Donnamae gave..two less for Don to water. Enjoy your day in the sanctuary. Lots of photos, please.
I never feel elitist for having my education, my house and my lifestyle (as it is…I try to keep it simple and uncomplicated…), but I feel fortunate that I have parents who worked hard and instilled in their children core values of hard-work, respecting others, and helping others.
I’ll be there from the 18th of December until the 21st of January.
My parents were as smart as they come and neither had a college education. They were also wonderful, good, kind people. They made up their own minds based on lots of reading and I admired them immensely.
I hope you will be able to go home during Christmas and New Year’s time.
I get a couple of days off at Christmas and New Year’s – and it’s only a two-hour drive home, Wendy.
My theory on why so many people believe fake news items is, basically, force of habit. For decades, we HAVE been able to trust our news sources. There was never much question that newspapers, news magazines & TV news broadcasts were, usually at least, honest & fair. Most people could identify whether a paper, for example, leaned left or right, but they needed to read the op-ed pages to do it. And of course, back in the day, if anyone HAD wanted to create their own version of the news, it was, well, really difficult to do. But the Internet has TOTALLY changed all that, and we need to recognize this. Personally I believe the Internet and the whole “cyber” world should fall under the umbrella of the FCC, or SOME type of agency. The Internet should have to follow the same rules that apply to other forms of mass communication, and people that abuse it should face the same consequences.
On the matter of education being considered “elitist” I have to agree with Vicki. I think it depends on the individual, and definitely on the strength of his/her own self-image. There are definitely people who use their degrees to feel superior to others, and that IS using education in an elitist manner. IMO, there’s no excuse for this, and the people who do it certainly have their own self-image issues to work out. But by the same token, there are also MANY people without educations who talk it down, who “knock” those who do have them as snooty, uppity and elitist. There’s no excuse for this either, and the self-image issue on this side is insecurity & resentment. These days, college or advanced technical training is more accessible than ever, to EVERYONE. If one honestly wants an education, it can be achieved. Anyone with enough gumption and drive that is. No, it will not be easy, and it will not be fast. You can’t drive up to a window and leave in 5 minutes with an education. You must be willing to put in the time, the effort and in most cases, a serious financial committment. I think a large majority of those without an education who view those with it as “elitist” are fooling themselves, whether they admit it or not. They’re basically jealous of those who were willing to do the work when they weren’t. By talking it down, they’re trying to convince themselves that it isn’t valuable in the first place. And I should add that I know MANY individuals without formal degrees who are nevertheless surprisingly well-educated and can speak on many topics every bit as intelligently as those who do have the sheepskin. But these people still had to do the work to gain the knowledge they have. They just did it in less formal ways, perhaps by reading, or watching PBS, or taking the occasional college class in those subjects in which they had a special interest. The important thing was that they had the DESIRE to learn, and were willing to put in the time and effort. Personally I have no patience for those who were too lazy to do the work in the first place, but still slam those who weren’t as elitist. That just comes down to sour grapes for me. 🍇
#ThisIsNotNormal
Good points all, Janet. As I was saying in an earlier reply, I taught on the university level for 13 years. I rarely ran into someone who used their education in an elitist manner. Actually, I can’t even remember one person who did that. That doesn’t mean I met everyone on the faculty of both universities, but I sure met a lot of them. I’m sure that the kind of snobbery you’re speaking of exists, but it never was a part of my experience.
I know of a few people who do the reverse thing: knock down those with an education. In almost all cases, they were people of a certain faith(s) who were fearful about widening their experience, hearing another point-of-view, or fearful that their children would be opened up to other viewpoints if they went to college or if they read a science text book. Fear seems to be a big factor in those cases.
I read an article recently and the author, a woman who lives in Washington (state) asked if “those people” in the Midwest are really so out of touch with the world, that they would vote for him….. boy, was I offended!!!! We seriously are not a group of rubes who bumble our way around. And I doubt if everyone who lives on the coasts are intelligent super humans by virtue of the address on their driver’s license. It seems that we all are trying to find a way to explain what happened. But, by blaming it on geographic locations, or stereotyping, we are buying into the whole idea of ruling by fear. If you can keep people living in fear, they will respond in kind. I was watching a documentary on WWII, and they were documenting what happened up to the famous FDR speech which included the words: “the only thing we have to fear, is fear itself.” It appears that is abundantly true. Now to figure out what nonsense people were exactly “sold”, so to speak ~ understand why they “bought” it, and begin to stand up to the bullies. We need to begin to question everything ~~ on both sides of the story.
Take the plants!! They will have a happy Homecoming, and you know you will end up buying more when you are there if you don’t bring them with you!
Yes, again, people are making assumptions about a whole swath of the country and it’s unfair and ridiculous. The stereotyping and labeling do not help. I’ve lived half my life in the Midwest and half my life on both coasts. Ignorance and fear are everywhere, conservatives are everywhere, progressives and liberals are everywhere. Too much time is spent on trying to drive us apart.
Yes, we need to question everything!
I have some members of my extended family that definitely do think they are elite with their many educational degrees and they are quite snobby. They won’t bother to have a conversation with me or my husband. They definitely look down on us. My husband, now retired, was a factory worker and I stayed home to raise our daughters for many years. They considered neither worthy occupations. Although we both have some college, are avid readers, question everything we read, and care deeply about our country, they find us not worthy. On the other hand, our oldest daughter has a Masters degree and is the most kind and down to earth young woman you could ever hope to meet. Most of our neighbors also have college degrees, one is a MD, and they certainly don’t act as though they are elite. So from my experience there are some that do consider themselves on a higher level because of their education, but just as many that do not. I think that the media has created stereotypes of all of us though and I think that is just wrong. According to them, due to who we are, we would have voted for Trump. Wrong! We are liberal Democrats.
And I know a few well educated folks that don’t check out the news they are reading, I think maybe because they’re too busy, overwhelmed, tired or just don’t care anymore. And there are many that just go with whatever news they read as fact because it supports their own opinion. I do think the media tried very hard to divide us all and make us enemies during this last election and I find that to be very troubling. I blame them too for the results of the election because so much wrong information was put out there over and over that sadly most people didn’t bother to research.
I think if you feel it is too much trouble to bring your plants with you then buy some inexpensive fresh flowers to enjoy while in Hartford, which I think you’ve done in the past. I love how you always make your stays there in your apartment so comfy and homey. :-)
I might add my thoughts, Lily – only in terms of my experience, of course – I’m sure there are those who feel superior because of their education, but I’ve never really encountered that and I taught at two different universities. So take heart, I think they are the exception rather than the rule.
You are so right about the media and, of course, the politicians trying to divide us, to drive us apart. They hyped everything that might be fodder for more news on the 24 hour cable news cycle, instead of doing the hard-hitting journalism that they should have done.
Oh, I was thinking of taking my plants AND buying fresh flowers! xo
I think that an education that includes learning how to learn is rare today. People seem to expect information to be tossed to them without any work on the receiver’s part. I have only 1 semester of higher education under my belt, and that was LONG ago. However, I have spent the rest of my life (and continue to do so at present) getting a very well-rounded education on my own. The internet has made it all the easier, but books are my favorite still (“e” and traditional). I’m not sure about the electoral college issue, but wasn’t one of the concerns of the Founding Fathers the lack of education in the people voting? I’d say that there is presently a lack of education in many Americans in, perhaps, a different way today.
Good points, Laura. No one seems to want to spend any time reading and investigating/researching. We’re in the 30 second attention span zone now. That doesn’t bode well at all!
I hope you had a wonderful time in the sanctuary! I’m looking forward to seeing photos of the animals. And your plants look wonderful!
I think there are elitists in both parties and I honestly don’t even see it as an educational/college/university thing. To me the term represents someone in a position of power who is very out of touch with the average American. Someone with a condescending tone, i.e. “There, there, I know better than you what is best for you.” It’s when politicians on both sides are convinced they know hat is best for us and they talk down to “us,” the common folk.
Van Jones was on The View Thursday morning and he mentioned about there being elitists on the Left that do not really represent the party (if my memory serves me, I believe Nancy Pelosi was mentioned by name toward the end of the discussion by Joy and Van), and then Jedediah Bila said that the Right has their fair share of elitists as well. Van Jones has a special this coming Tuesday night that I’m looking forward to watching. The promo piece they showed looked really good.
Well, the term ‘elite’ as defined in this election and in years past did have to do with education and where one lived in the country. But it sounds like the term is evolving, which is a good thing.
I have to say, no matter how it’s defined, I don’t like the word. There has to be a better way to describe whatever the speaker is referring to. I think the meaning as defined, starting many years ago, has stuck – therefore another term is needed.
I like Van Jones a lot. He makes sense and his passion is inspiring. What channel is running the special, Donna? CNN?
I mostly (but not exclusively) hear Republicans using the term “west/east coast elites,” and I think it’s their way of disqualifying the fact that Hillary won the popular vote, largely in those regions. It’s a phrase that has now entered everyday parlance, and gives the right another insult to hurl when libtard fails to come to mind.
That’s the same way I’ve been hearing it, Sandra.