# Stop feeling superior for being ignorant **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 31, 2010, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-feeling-superior-for-being-ignorant/548732 "2010-07-31T22:07:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2010, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-feeling-superior-for-being-ignorant/548732/1 "2010-07-31T22:07:59Z")
I won’t link to the other thread and point fingers at the individual because it’s a common fault. Some popular culture figures were being mentioned and he posted what was essentially “I’ve never heard of this person. I had to look up who it was. Why are you bothering to talk about this?” The implication was that he felt superior to us because he wasn’t wasting his brain on trivia like we were. He appeared to think that not knowing what we were talking about indicated he was smarter than us. And I think that’s complete bullshit. Let’s ignore the argument of what knowledge is common and what knowledge is obscure. All knowledge is knowledge. There’s plenty of things I don’t know. I don’t think I could name a single NASCAR driver. I don’t know who the cast of Jersey Shore is. I don’t know any Pokemon characters. I couldn’t tell you who won last year’s World Series. But I don’t take pride in these things. I’m not smarter than somebody who does know these things. How could not knowing something possible indicate that I’m smarter than somebody who knows it? There’s no reason to be proud of any kind of ignorance. ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2010, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-feeling-superior-for-being-ignorant/548732/2 "2010-07-31T22:21:40Z")
Wait, who are you again? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![The\_Bith\_Shuffle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ce73a5/32.png) [@The\_Bith\_Shuffle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Bith_Shuffle)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2010, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-feeling-superior-for-being-ignorant/548732/3 "2010-07-31T22:35:51Z")
I agree with what you say. People often seem to actually take pride in their ignorance of some things. Like, if they know nothing about Math, they’ll think that shows how non-linear and creative their brains are. It’s dumb. ---
**Author:** ![GHO57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df788c/32.png) [@GHO57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GHO57)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2010, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-feeling-superior-for-being-ignorant/548732/4 "2010-07-31T22:36:04Z")
Oh, you guys use **language** , I simply can’t lower myself to that level. slfkh? lsghn-ff, wlksgk3! jgödflg ''wrgrfgk tpw ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2010, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-feeling-superior-for-being-ignorant/548732/5 "2010-07-31T22:42:36Z")
You fucking eltitists, with your “knowledge” and “facts”. ---
**Author:** ![phouka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c5a1d2/32.png) [@phouka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phouka)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2010, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-feeling-superior-for-being-ignorant/548732/6 "2010-07-31T22:46:32Z")
It’s less about knowledge than it is about comparative values. The world of celebrity is shallow, facile, and fleeting. To keep up with who’s who and who’s important, a person would have to spend a relatively large chunk of time reading tabloids, watching bad tv, and gossiping about people who, arguably, do nothing to add to our world. So, he’s not actually reveling in ignorance. He’s bragging that he spends his time on much more worthy subjects than you. Still pittable, but with a slightly different focus. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2010, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-feeling-superior-for-being-ignorant/548732/7 "2010-07-31T23:21:53Z")
The day I have perfect recall and unlimited mental capacity, I will be happy to acquire “knowledge” such as the names of the _Jersey Shore_ cast members. Until then it’s neural triage, and they’re being tagged as goners. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2010, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-feeling-superior-for-being-ignorant/548732/8 "2010-08-01T01:06:14Z")
Meryl Streep is over rated. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2010, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-feeling-superior-for-being-ignorant/548732/9 "2010-08-01T01:09:44Z")
I would venture to guess that a large percentage of the time, that person knows EXACTLY who the person being discussed is and is feigning ignorance. The remainder of the time, it would take one tenth of the amount of time to google the person than it does to ask on a message board. If you are asking on a message board it is because you want to be conspicuous about not knowing who that is, and for no other reason. I endorse your pitting. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2010, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-feeling-superior-for-being-ignorant/548732/10 "2010-08-01T01:13:33Z")
> [@phouka](#): > > It’s less about knowledge than it is about comparative values. The world of celebrity is shallow, facile, and fleeting. To keep up with who’s who and who’s important, a person would have to spend a relatively large chunk of time reading tabloids, watching bad tv, and gossiping about people who, arguably, do nothing to add to our world. I’ve never watched _Jersey Shore_ or read about its cast anywhere, but I’m at least somewhat familiar with them just by glances at covers and osmosis. I’ve never watched a single season of _American Idol_, but I know something about its winners the same way. It doesn’t seem all that hard to me. ---
**Author:** ![GHO57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df788c/32.png) [@GHO57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GHO57)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2010, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-feeling-superior-for-being-ignorant/548732/11 "2010-08-01T01:17:44Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > The remainder of the time, it would take one tenth of the amount of time to google the person than it does to ask on a message board. What is this “google” you speak of? A book of some description? Even if I had the inclination I simply have no time to spare for keeping up with these modern fads, please elucidate.😃 ---
**Author:** ![Enuma\_Elish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5e9695/32.png) [@Enuma\_Elish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enuma_Elish)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2010, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-feeling-superior-for-being-ignorant/548732/12 "2010-08-01T01:19:55Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I won’t link to the other thread and point fingers at the individual because it’s a common fault. Some popular culture figures were being mentioned and he posted what was essentially “I’ve never heard of this person. I had to look up who it was. Why are you bothering to talk about this?” > > The implication was that he felt superior to us because he wasn’t wasting his brain on trivia like we were. He appeared to think that not knowing what we were talking about indicated he was smarter than us. > > And I think that’s complete bullshit. > > Let’s ignore the argument of what knowledge is common and what knowledge is obscure. All knowledge is knowledge. > > There’s plenty of things I don’t know. I don’t think I could name a single NASCAR driver. I don’t know who the cast of Jersey Shore is. I don’t know any Pokemon characters. I couldn’t tell you who won last year’s World Series. But I don’t take pride in these things. I’m not smarter than somebody who does know these things. How could not knowing something possible indicate that I’m smarter than somebody who knows it? > > There’s no reason to be proud of any kind of ignorance. Lighten up, Francis! :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2010, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-feeling-superior-for-being-ignorant/548732/13 "2010-08-01T01:21:01Z")
Something related that kind of bugs me is people who say they never watch television. First of all, I never believe them, and second of all, it just reeks of an assumption of cultural and intellectual superiority. It doesn’t make anybody more sophisticated or interesting if they don’t watch TV and it doesn’t make anybody unsophisticated or stupid if they do. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2010, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-feeling-superior-for-being-ignorant/548732/14 "2010-08-01T01:25:46Z")
> [@](#): > > It’s less about knowledge than it is about comparative values. The world of celebrity is shallow, facile, and fleeting. To keep up with who’s who and who’s important, a person would have to spend a relatively large chunk of time reading tabloids, watching bad tv, and gossiping about people who, arguably, do nothing to add to our world. > > So, he’s not actually reveling in ignorance. He’s bragging that he spends his time on much more worthy subjects than you. Still pittable, but with a slightly different focus. > [@](#): > > The day I have perfect recall and unlimited mental capacity, I will be happy to acquire “knowledge” such as the names of the Jersey Shore cast members. Until then it’s neural triage, and they’re being tagged as goners. That’s the implied assumption. That people who are ignorant of the things they dismiss are knowledgable about better things. Then take pride in the things you know. Don’t take pride in the things you don’t know. ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2010, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-feeling-superior-for-being-ignorant/548732/15 "2010-08-01T01:50:22Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Meryl Streep is over rated. If you’re referring to me since I gave “Meryl Streep” as an answer in the “what famous performers’ work have you never seen?” thread, I’m pretty sure I’m not the individual the OP is referring to (and if I am then I’m flabbergasted since I never implied anything of the sort - the whole point of that thread was to admit you haven’t seen Soandso’s work even though they are well-known). ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2010, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-feeling-superior-for-being-ignorant/548732/16 "2010-08-01T02:16:05Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Meryl Streep is over rated. Who? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2010, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-feeling-superior-for-being-ignorant/548732/17 "2010-08-01T02:16:36Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Something related that kind of bugs me is people who say they never watch television. First of all, I never believe them, and second of all, it just reeks of an assumption of cultural and intellectual superiority. It doesn’t make anybody more sophisticated or interesting if they don’t watch TV and it doesn’t make anybody unsophisticated or stupid if they do. Oh, it gets even better: “I don’t own a TV.” ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2010, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-feeling-superior-for-being-ignorant/548732/18 "2010-08-01T02:30:33Z")
Of course, there’s [an Onion article about the phenomenon](http://www.theonion.com/articles/area-man-constantly-mentioning-he-doesnt-own-a-tel,429/). Some choice quotes: > [@](#): > > “A few days ago, [store manager] Annette [Haig] was saying her new contacts were bothering her,” Elkins said. “The second she said that, I knew Jonathan would pounce. He was like, 'I didn’t know you had contacts, Annette. Are your eyes bad? That a shame. I’m really lucky to have almost perfect vision. I’m guessing it’s because I don’t watch TV. In fact, I don’t even own one.” > [@](#): > > Elkins said Green always makes sure to read the copies of Entertainment Weekly and People lying around the shop’s break room, “just so he can point out all the stars and shows he’s never heard of.” > > “Last week, in one of the magazines, there was a picture of Calista Flockhart,” Elkins said, “and Jonathan announced, ‘I have absolutely no idea who this woman is. Calista who? Am I supposed to have heard of her? I’m sorry, but I haven’t.’” > [@](#): > > “I’m not an elitist,” Green said. “It’s just that I’d much rather sculpt or write in my journal or read Proust than sit there passively staring at some phosphorescent screen.” > > “If I need a fix of passive audio-visual stimulation, I’ll go to catch a Bergman or Truffaut film down at the university,” Green said. “I certainly wouldn’t waste my time watching the so-called Learning Channel or, God forbid, any of the mind sewage the major networks pump out.” ---
**Author:** ![Sodalite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@Sodalite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sodalite)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2010, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-feeling-superior-for-being-ignorant/548732/19 "2010-08-01T03:04:35Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > > [@phouka](#): > > > > It’s less about knowledge than it is about comparative values. The world of celebrity is shallow, facile, and fleeting. To keep up with who’s who and who’s important, a person would have to spend a relatively large chunk of time reading tabloids, watching bad tv, and gossiping about people who, arguably, do nothing to add to our world. > > I’ve never watched _Jersey Shore_ or read about its cast anywhere, but I’m at least somewhat familiar with them just by glances at covers and osmosis. I’ve never watched a single season of _American Idol_, but I know something about its winners the same way. > > It doesn’t seem all that hard to me. Exactly this. Anyone who says they’ve never even heard of whatever current pop culture fad is going around has nothing to be proud of. That just means they pay no attention to their surroundings. I work in a flower shop. Every Valentine’s we get dozens of panicked guys coming in at the last minute telling us how they “had no idea” it was Valentine’s Day. Really? So you haven’t noticed all the pink and red heart decorations and giant heart shaped boxes of candy that have HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY written all over them? The piles of heart bearing stuffed animals at every store and gas station you walked into since the day after Christmas? The people on the corners selling expensive baskets of cheap-ass crap and wilted flowers in heart covered paper (that’s a pit thread for another time)? The TV, radio, and internet ads? None of it? Well then, you sir, must have your head shoved pretty far up your ass most of the time. We live in such a media saturated society that it’s nearly impossible to get through a week without knowing what’s going on, be it celebrity trivia or major world events. You can get news from the other side of the planet seconds after it happens. As it happens if somebody on scene is tweeting it. I hate twitter. I think it’s mostly just a way to waste time and mainly populated by self important twits. Even so, I know what it is. ---
**Author:** ![toofs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4491bb/32.png) [@toofs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toofs)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2010, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-feeling-superior-for-being-ignorant/548732/20 "2010-08-01T03:05:38Z")
> [@Revtim](#): > > You fucking eltitists, with your “knowledge” and “facts”. Peasant! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-feeling-superior-for-being-ignorant/548732.md?page=2)