In terms of policy, it probably does not; in terms of demographics, it definitely does.
Joel Send a noteboard - 13/02/2012 02:52:23 AM
As long as there is a link, does it matter if the chicken or egg came first?
If a majority of idiots are conservative, that says much about idiots, but little of conservatives. If there are for more conservatives than idiots, it only tells us stupid people will probably tip the balance when liberals and conservatives are near equilibrium, not that conservatives as whole tend to be stupid.
Think of it as a Venn diagram like any large demographic within a much larger general population. A majority of women are Democrats, but if that makes all Democrats women why has every Democratic president been male? A majority of white Protestant males are Republicans, but Clarence Thomas is a black Catholic.
In terms of policies, one reliant on "the stupid demographic" to win is probably unwise, or a majority of intelligent people would not support an opposing one. However, that does not make the policy itself, or most of its supporters, stupid. It just means the policys overall popularity depends on disproportionate support from stupid people IN ADDITION to intelligent supporters. The latter still number in the tens of millions; they are just less numerous than the other policys intelligent supporters.
So IF (a big "if" at present) other studies corroborate this general one, it would be a good argument against conservative policy. It would mean stupidity encourages conservatism, whose electoral success relies on that. It would NOT mean conservatism denotes stupidity, because a host of other unrelated things ALSO encourage conservatism, and a host of intelligent conservatives respond to those other factors.
Honorbound and honored to be Bonded to Mahtaliel Sedai
Last First in wotmania Chat
Slightly better than chocolate.
Love still can't be coerced.
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LoL. Be well, RAFOlk.
Last First in wotmania Chat
Slightly better than chocolate.
Love still can't be coerced.
Please Don't Eat the Newbies!

LoL. Be well, RAFOlk.
Intelligence Study Links Low I.Q. To Prejudice, Racism, Conservatism
03/02/2012 08:58:00 PM
- 1518 Views
I think ...
03/02/2012 09:28:02 PM
- 995 Views
That is a logical and reasonable assessment.
04/02/2012 08:59:59 PM
- 1913 Views
Pretty sure hes saying liberals are pedophiles and I for one am not at all suprised! *NM*
04/02/2012 09:23:58 PM
- 1379 Views
note: "social conservatives", not "fiscal conservatives"
03/02/2012 09:37:18 PM
- 1759 Views
I've wondered:
03/02/2012 09:55:14 PM
- 1771 Views
It bothers the living fuck out of me
03/02/2012 10:59:01 PM
- 1733 Views
Just wait ten years
03/02/2012 11:21:25 PM
- 1654 Views
Oh, I still vote Republican.
04/02/2012 01:49:43 AM
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Re: Oh, I still vote Republican.
04/02/2012 01:15:10 PM
- 1751 Views
Actually, I could be an enthusiastic Democrat on principle, if any elected Dems would join me.
05/02/2012 01:49:48 AM
- 1892 Views
Re: Just wait ten years
04/02/2012 05:16:16 AM
- 1664 Views
Primary voting age is pretty high for both parties compared to general election, GOP a bit higher
04/02/2012 12:22:44 PM
- 1734 Views
The two tend to go together, though it is far from a hard and fast rule.
04/02/2012 11:50:03 PM
- 1795 Views
By referencing it…
03/02/2012 10:50:59 PM
- 1637 Views
That's an odd idea.
03/02/2012 11:10:31 PM
- 1703 Views
Not really; again, I took no position, just thought it might prompt some entertaining conversation.
05/02/2012 12:02:44 AM
- 877 Views
Tempting...
03/02/2012 11:17:43 PM
- 976 Views
I expected no less.
05/02/2012 12:25:14 AM
- 999 Views
Well, racists are dumb. What's to discuss?
04/02/2012 01:23:27 AM
- 811 Views
I think that generally agreed, though we need a study PROVING what we already know.
05/02/2012 12:41:26 AM
- 1091 Views

Proving is something you do in maths, not science.
05/02/2012 09:05:30 AM
- 815 Views
So the Moon might still be made of green cheese?
05/02/2012 10:20:57 AM
- 925 Views

Yes. It is not very likely, though, since no measurement we have done so far indicates that it is so
05/02/2012 02:28:18 PM
- 767 Views
Well, that last part will make sure this gets ugly....
04/02/2012 02:05:11 AM
- 701 Views
Do you not think it's true then?
04/02/2012 07:32:13 AM
- 1023 Views
Not in my experience.
04/02/2012 04:17:01 PM
- 922 Views
Granted, you do move in different circles than I (or Jens, for that matter.)
04/02/2012 10:24:52 PM
- 865 Views
As a few others have noted, it is important to preserve the causality chain.
05/02/2012 02:35:02 AM
- 874 Views
I dont see that it matters.
13/02/2012 01:40:45 AM
- 1073 Views
In terms of policy, it probably does not; in terms of demographics, it definitely does.
13/02/2012 02:52:23 AM
- 999 Views
this sort of "science" is so easily and often slanted it doesn't really merit arguement
04/02/2012 04:23:14 AM
- 945 Views
Bah, you sound like a liberal arguing against lower black IQ test scores. *NM*
04/02/2012 07:00:43 AM
- 921 Views
Well, I will certainly agree anyone with half a brain can see through Fox "News."
05/02/2012 01:37:35 AM
- 1007 Views
