I never cease to be amazed by the average intelligence on DU.

[Cyrano]

I have no idea whether DUers as a group have higher IQs than the rest of the population or not. I've had a lot of time over the past few weeks to read postings, and the insights, humor, articulateness, cleverness, and occassional brilliance of hundreds and hundreds of DU posters is absolutely mind-boggling.

Spending time here and reading what so many of you have to say on so many different topics has been a rewarding experience.

HAPPY EASTER, and be nice to your inlaws today at Easter dinner.

[nonconformist]

1. I agree! This place is overflowing with brilliance.

I am continually impressed with the knowledge and insight of so many here at DU.

Happy Easter everyone! I just ate a boiled egg. :)

[rfranklin]

15. I bet the average IQ is well over 63!

Of course, I do apologize for bringing the average down.

[Maraya1969]

40. I bring it down too but think dyslexic I am.

And the spell check won't tell you out of place words are or when when you add an extra one or leave out.

[Botany]

19. ...... so what is the hidden meaning behind?

I just ate a boiled egg.

Do you stand for the rights of free range chickens? No more factory farms.
Egg rhymes with leg .... so is it time to walk away from Iraq?
You are boiling mad about bush?

Happy Easter to all DUers




http://www.cabl.com/bar/(bpta3jfcjtdt1umg20rcfpab)/userimg/31696/Easter%20eggs.jpg

[nonconformist]

23. It's Project X code, silly!

REFER TO YOUR HANDBOOK!

:P

[0007]

27. "E" is the code of the day. HAPPY EASTER

[Botany]

42. Project X ...... Shred the lettuce?

Oh, so as to make the bedding for the easter basket.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

2. Great advice, be nice to your inlaws, I promise my favorite

expression today will not be "Well, generally speaking" or "I generally do it this way" or "The general consensus is such and such".... and I certainly won't slip a CD into their overcoats with many outstanding swf's and or vids on it gathered here at DU and elsewhere.... :)

PS: Another reason to be happy, the cleverness, articulateness (sp) and brilliance is to a large degree, contagious.

[Cyrano]

4. Yeah, I questioned that spelling too. The spell checker was down.

Now if DU just had a grammar checker, we might make MENSA look lnadequate.

[TheBaldyMan]

3. I find some DUers to be really dumb, that reflects the whole

population, I am not a genius by anybody's gauge, some DUers make me green with envy at their effortless brilliance.

Are they more intelligent than average? I haven't seen any reason to think so, they are just ordinary folk for the most part.

[ClintonTyree]

5. Progressives.....

as a rule, are more educated than their Regressive counterparts, the Republicans. It's true, look it up! ;) I hope everyone has a great day as well, whatever your beliefs.

[Cyrano]

6. Oh, let's not quibble today. Lighten up and have a jelly bean.

[TheBaldyMan]

12. lol - thank you & have a very pleasant Easter weekend.

[izzie]

7. Are you looking for the greatest page? You may have it.

This has got to be a great turn on for us all. Go DU

[unblock]

there's a selection fallacy involved

among republicans, the stupid people speak the loudest, and the smart people say, hmm, let's all go for the least common denominator. so stupid carries the day, and we all get the impression that republicans are all stupid, even though a good number of them are smart.

among democrats, people tend to pipe up when they know the answer, and think it best to simply listen when they don't know the answer. so, ask a question and maybe 50 people read it but only the 3 people who know the answer actually bother to post a reply. thereby giving the impression that everyone knows the answer, the other 47 were simply too busy giving the answers to OTHER posts to reply.


having said that, ultimately, republicans don't care for brilliance, they care for power. democrats are united only in their quest for good governance, which inherently involves a respect for facts, accuracy, and wisdom.

[itzamirakul]

16. I like your manner of expression...

I just "stole" your last paragraph. It is too good not to use again. Hope you don't mind. :)

"...republicans don't care for brilliance, they care for power, democrats are united only in their quest for good governance, which inherently involves a respect for facts, accuracy, and wisdom."

Concise and to the point!

[annabanana]

20. good analysis..

"stupid carries the day" vs "if you don't know, don't answer"..

It comes down to an interest in hearing others be "right" vs the desire to see what response will sway the greatest numbers, regardless of accuracy.

[Mr_Spock]

53. Wow, you get it!

I totally agree with you!

The only thing I would add is that smart Republicans are almost never introspective in the way that liberals are. There is a certain lack of humility that is WAY more prevalent in Repukes.

[ktowntennesseedem]

8. No scientific studies to back me up, but...

it makes sense to me that people who think for themselves would be deeper thinkers and more intelligent anyway. It certainly is easier to just parrot what others tell you, the way most of my family relies on their pastors to tell them what to believe, (and probably how to vote, too.)

I plan to very nice to all my family when we visit today; they've all learned long ago not to discuss religion or politics around me.

[MADem]

9. Well, I happen to like this breakdown of state IQ and voter preference

http://www-unix.oit.umass.edu/~gcharter/iq.txt

Here's the average IQ by state according to the Ravens APM:

AVG IQ AVG Income '00 Electoral
(1) Connecticut..................113 $26,979 Gore
(2) Massachusetts................111 $24,059 Gore
(3) New Jersey...................111 $26,457 Gore
(4) New York.....................109 $23,534 Gore
(5) Rhode Island.................107 $20,299 Gore
(6) Hawaii.......................106 $21,218 Gore
(7) Maryland.....................105 $22,974 Gore
(8) New Hampshire................105 $22,934 Bush
(9) Illinois.....................104 $21,608 Gore
(10) Delaware....................103 $21,451 Gore
(11) Minnesota...................102 $20,049 Gore
(12) Vermont.....................102 $18,834 Gore
(13) Washington..................102 $20,398 Gore
(14) California..................101 $21,278 Gore
(15) Pennsylvania................101 $20,253 Gore
(16) Maine.......................100 $18,226 Gore
(17) Virginia....................100 $20,629 Bush
(18) Wisconsin...................100 $18,727 Gore
(19) Colorado.....................99 $20,124 Bush
(20) Iowa.........................99 $18,287 Gore
(21) Michigan.....................99 $19,508 Gore
(22) Nevada.......................99 $20,266 Bush
(23) Ohio.........................99 $18,624 Bush
(24) Oregon.......................99 $18,202 Gore
(25) Alaska.......................98 $21,603 Bush
(26) Florida......................98 $19,397 Bush
(27) Missouri.....................98 $18,835 Bush
(28) Kansas.......................96 $19,376 Bush
(29) Nebraska.....................95 $19,084 Bush
(30) Arizona......................94 $17,119 Bush
(31) Indiana......................94 $18,043 Bush
(32) Tennessee....................94 $17,341 Bush
(33) North Carolina...............93 $17,667 Bush
(34) West Virginia................93 $15,065 Bush
(35) Arkansas.....................92 $15,439 Bush
(36) Georgia......................92 $18,130 Bush
(37) Kentucky.....................92 $16,534 Bush
(38) New Mexico...................92 $15,353 Gore
(39) North Dakota.................92 $16,854 Bush
(40) Texas........................92 $17,892 Bush
(41) Alabama......................90 $16,220 Bush
(42) Louisiana....................90 $15,712 Bush
(43) Montana......................90 $16,062 Bush
(44) Oklahoma.....................90 $16,198 Bush
(45) South Dakota.................90 $16,558 Bush
(46) South Carolina...............89 $15,989 Bush
(47) Wyoming......................89 $17,423 Bush
(48) Idaho........................87 $16,067 Bush
(49) Utah.........................87 $15,325 Bush
(50) Mississippi..................85 $14,088 Bush


It certainly seems to fit the paradigm!!!!!

[izzie]

17. And to think so many from the North blue states have moved to

those red states. I wonder about these figures when we put that in the pot.

[Lerkfish]

32. FWIW, i'm an ohioan with higher IQ than that and voted Kerry...

obviously, I"m bucking the trend.

:)

[mcscajun]

35. Check Snopes on that one...

...it's been debunked.

http://www.snopes.com/politics/ballot/stateiq.asp

[QC]

36. Sure, it's been debunked, and anyone with 2 functioning brain cells

would recognize it as fake, but it remains popular, since it both flatters some people here and confirms their most cherished prejudices, an unbeatable combo.

[Maraya1969]

41. Well I have two brain cells and I thought it was true, or hoped it was

anyway. If "Psychology Today" can make a ranking of the most mentally healthy cities in the US than why not an IQ ranking?

I know it was debunked but you don't have to make fun of the person who brought it up.

[SoCalDem]

68. and snopes is not exactly the most "liberal" place around.

not that they don't debunk a lot of stuff.:)

[MADem]

45. I never averred that it was TRUE, I just happen to like it!

Hey, if the GOP can pull that kind of shit, why not slap them back every now and again--strictly for sport.

[mcscajun]

50. Slap away, so long as you state up front that it's sport, not fact.

without such a mention, one can only assume you believe it, and others may as well. Misinformation flies around the Internet five times faster than the truth does, unfortunately, and tends to take on a life of its own.

That's why the merry band of DU debunkers is always there, swatting flies and exposing lies. :)
Nothing is served by getting down in the ditch with the SwiftBoat types. Ever.

[MADem]

59. I figured it was in BATBOY territory...but I guess some people will

buy anything...

[karlrschneider]

55. What a bummer. :-) Actually I suspected the figures anyway

;-)

[depakid]

61. Not so simple-

If you look at state by state educational attainment, you'll see that the data matches up quite nicely with the "debunked" table. Not precisely- but close enough to support the general proposition.

[YOY]

37. Hate to be a bubble buster but Snopes says that's bunk

As much as we would like to see it true!

http://www.snopes.com/politics/ballot/stateiq.asp

[MADem]

48. Jeeez, I KNOW, I KNOW!!!!

I just think it's funny as hell. I LIKE it. I don't believe it, certainly, but I LIKE it.

It's a useful tool to slap dunceboy fans with; they never check SNOPES.

[TheBaldyMan]

43. Re edited after reading YOY's post - #37

With enough people in each state the average should be around 100 not 15 points above or below.

On edit: Thanks to YOY's post #37: I see that the figures are fictional, this is something I'd readily agree with because most groups' IQ average should be around 100 (+/- a few percentage points), originally I thought that this was indicative of a disatrously poor education system. It also made me think why Texas should be so high on the list considering they have about the worst school system in the US mainly thanks to Dubya screwing it over when he was governor.

[savemefromdumbya]

47. There you have it - Republicans have sheep brains

we shouldn't be mean to sheep though

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

10. But! But! But!

The Lounge! :shrug: ;-)

[babylonsister]

18. Hi, Tandalayo, and Happy Easter to you, as well!

And there are no 'buts' with the lounge, or too many butts, or...:hide:

[Cyrano]

31. I wasn't excluding the lounge. I was talking to all DUers.

Although, I do have a confession to make about my feelings for the lounge. Too many people think that "Citizen Kane" was a better movie than "Casablanca." Nonetheless, I've always bitten my tongue and fingers to keep from typing something I'd regret.

Happy Easter, Good Passover, and whatever your beliefs, have a really good day. Go to the beach, the park, or wherever it is that gives you a feeling of peace and tranquility.

I'm planning to walk along a (hopefully) empty beach today even thought I'm a heathen and a devout agnostic. (I used to be a druid, but the annual trips to Stonehenge got too expensive.)

[babylonsister]

11. Happy Easter to you, Cyrano, and

I agree; if I have an opinion, someone on DU will try to change it, but it's all good!
And rewarding! :hi:

[GOPBasher]

13. I totally agree. By contrast, look at freerepublic.com.

Think anyone there can have discussions about the physics of energy transfer, as DUers often do in the environment forum? No way.

[Oversea Visitor]

14. freerepublic

:rofl:
discussions :rofl:

That a site for a bunch of losers

[seabeyond]

21. be nice to your inlaws today

bah hahaha. that is funny. how DID you know.

happy easter to you too

[babylonsister]

25. OT, but how WAS your trip to MX, seabeyond? nt

[seabeyond]

33. i was on a happy pill to help quit smoking. i continued to smoke

but made it thru airports with a smile and didnt throw a fit with the in laws until thursday, lol lol. made it a good 6 days. the upside, we were about 10 condos down from them. my sister in law and here family right next to them. so they got the brunt of it and we were pretty much left alone

i had a lot of little repug quips from them and ignored. but the nice. the rest of the family firmly democrats. first time in a long time i could diss bush and laugh at him and scorn him and have others that supported me

it was beautiful there. very relaxing. i didnt do what they wanted me to do, only what i wanted to do. and that is the way to take vacations with them, lol lol. really was good. could have easily been there another week. it is such a nice little cove and family oriented i am looking to get friends to go down there next year

thank you for remembering

[babylonsister]

34. Sounds like it was better than you expected, you're glad you

went, and no arrests going on at the airport. A good vacation! :D 10 condos away-helps the kids play!

Edit to add this:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=368

Clue us in!

[seabeyond]

39. dug heels in as they dragged me to the airport only to get there

and say this isnt so bad. yup. my husband knows me so much better. he really took care of me, not letting anyone mess with me. just an easy, my wife isnt going to do that. we didnt get that mexico sick like last time. and dallas international way better than houston

i see you added a site. i will go in and post akumal.; right now we are doing the easter to do. easter bunny sooooo tired. has bee doing this for a decade. tired easter bunny. tired

[cassiepriam]

22. If we are so smart, how come the stupid guy is in power? nt

[sellitman]

24. But....he doesn't post here....lol n/t

[mtnsnake]

60. Because there are so many people who relate to his stupidity, that they

feel more comfortable voting for another dumbass like themselves.

[pnorman]

26. I think we can safely assume an IQ measurably above 100,

but the most important that I notice here is the ability to think independently. And preceived conceptions aren't written in stone. I also see a much greater capacity to listen to contrary views, than in most other venues I'm familiar with. This DU community of ~80,000 strong, is a FANTASTIC storehouse of knowledge and insight. Those qualities makes that resource reach close to it's full potential.

pnorman

[ChairmanAgnostic]

28. Why do you Hate America so much?

But, I find myself thinking the same thing. A lot of bright lights that have collected out here. I sure learn a lot.

[Nimrod2005]

38. lol....NT

[LeftHander]

29. THis are HUGH, we no morans...nt

[nonconformist]

30. Seriesly!!!!1111!!!!! nt

[driver8]

44. They is smart people, ain't they?

I learn so much frum the kollege edumacated peoples at Democrats Underthegound. I am vury thankfull that this orrgu...orrgin...that this grupe eksists.

[LeftHander]

49. Me an me bruther sez they ain't right

If we listen to dem demonrats undertheground we be all kilt by terraits...

We don't need no uppity godless libreals...Dubya he's our man...tron of the same clothes we is

[driver8]

64. Good Lawdy...that there piksure scairt me!!

I no sumthin' else 'bout our presitent. He is the kinda presitent that you kould haf a beere with. Our presitent is a man of the peeples.

[Festivito]

46. The smart man knows half of what he hears is not true, the brilliant man..

.. knows which half.

Happy Easter.
Be good to your inlaws if it serves you.
Be especially and always good to those who cook and serve you food.

Let's just say, we're all smarter than you-know-who*.

[DarkTirade]

58. That is a darn good quote.

I wonder if it's true... :)

[Mr_Spock]

51. The corollary is true as well

Why are so many Freepers utter and complete ignoramuses?

[karlrschneider]

52. We very crever peopre!

:D

[Marie26]

54. God spelers, to!

[haab]

56. DU news is enough

for your survival....

[DarkTirade]

57. I ar smart.

Arnt I? :)

[Swamp Rat]

62. IQ matters not.

It's what you do with what you got that matters. :D

[AuntPatsy]

63. I don't know what I would have done without Du, I firmly agree,

the smartest minds reside here even if there are far too many interlopers meaning to cause trouble.

[jsamuel]

65. Very true

Happy Easter

[Old and In the Way]

66. My IQ has gone up 10 points

to 92 since I started reading the DU.

Just sayin'...

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

67. It's not just you. I've hung out in all kinds of venues, virtual and real.

The average intelligence level here is far above the average.

[SoCalDem]

69. Du has a lot of thinkers.. young-old.. college-not. ..male-female

You name it..

Now if only the newcomers could help us learn to spell

moron
spokesman
serious
huge
stalker

etc :evilgrin: