Average Intelligence

I don't know what the average American is like. I went to college, and got two degrees after my Bachelor's, and I hang out with people with similar education, both at work and in my limited social life. I see a lot of stuff on social media, but I can't say what it represents. What I know is that there are polls and studies looking at what people know and think, and I am surprised by how little information people seem to have.

I read a poll today about attitudes toward racism in America. Most Republicans think that most times when someone calls something racist, they are not speaking in good faith. Also, most Republicans are white and have limited education. Most Americans don't recognize the profound effects of systemic racism in this country. That troubles me, but I don't know how to change it. After all, I'm very awkward in social situations, including posting on social media. Things that are obvious to me seem beyond the understanding of a lot of people, most of whom have no patience for looking over data, in my experience. That can be frustrating. People sometimes accuse me of thinking I'm smarter than everyone else. I don't know how smart other people are, but if they won't bother to check facts, I just think they are lazy. And disrespectful, which is why I sometimes get cranky. I consider it dishonest to post something on social media without checking to see if it is at least basically accurate.

That does not seem to be the norm. The same inaccurate stuff keeps recycling on social media. How many times must someone hear that something isn't true before it is understood?

IQ45 (One of my favorite terms for him) made some obviously racist tweets last week. As usual for him, they were also inaccurate on facts. He compounded the message by repeating and adding to his errors at a rally, attributing attitudes and words to certain American citizens and Congressional Representatives with no basis in evidence. And then he said they should apologize to him. I guess for being victims of his baseless attacks. And people defend him for this. It indicates a very sad state of understanding in this country. Some people seem to think that IQ45 has made the economy what it currently is. They agree with his claims that Democrats want "open borders", despite all the evidence against such idiotic claims. It is disheartening to have to see such ignorance from so many.

Maybe I am an elitist. I believe in science and expertise. I admire competence and understanding. That is why I do not respect IQ45. He is incompetent and has no knowledge base or understanding. The evidence is clear. But nearly half the people in this country don't seem to notice.