Comments on: Why intellectuals like genocide http://pjmedia.com/rogerkimball/2008/06/12/why-intellectuals-like-genocide/ Wed, 15 Feb 2012 13:59:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Right Pulse » Blog Archive » The cultural war lives on… http://pjmedia.com/rogerkimball/2008/06/12/why-intellectuals-like-genocide/#comment-2146 Right Pulse » Blog Archive » The cultural war lives on… Sat, 14 Jun 2008 00:26:04 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerkimball/2008/06/12/why-intellectuals-like-genocide/#comment-2146 [...] I know a blog of a blog, but this is the latest in the Australian cultural wars…linked here. It is an explanation as to why Australian academics have so long ‘clinged’ to the [...] [...] I know a blog of a blog, but this is the latest in the Australian cultural wars…linked here. It is an explanation as to why Australian academics have so long ‘clinged’ to the [...]

]]> By: Steve Skubinna http://pjmedia.com/rogerkimball/2008/06/12/why-intellectuals-like-genocide/#comment-2105 Steve Skubinna Thu, 12 Jun 2008 17:00:24 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerkimball/2008/06/12/why-intellectuals-like-genocide/#comment-2105 Obviously the more evil are the base members of the society over which the intellectuals hold themselves, the more enlightened and noble and good the intellectuals themselves can be. You may distinguish yourself from others by doing something well, by producing a good or service or work of entertainment. Or you may do so by assuming an unassailable air of superiority, so that mere accomplishment is not only irrelevant, but risks tarnishing the superior status. In other words, if I make it an article of faith that members of a group identified by myself are stupid and brutal, the more intelligent and refined I can appear, without having to actually gain, let alone display intelligence nor refinement. And now I have a strong urge to go listen to Gilbert and Sullivan's Patience once more. It seems as timely as ever. Obviously the more evil are the base members of the society over which the intellectuals hold themselves, the more enlightened and noble and good the intellectuals themselves can be. You may distinguish yourself from others by doing something well, by producing a good or service or work of entertainment. Or you may do so by assuming an unassailable air of superiority, so that mere accomplishment is not only irrelevant, but risks tarnishing the superior status.

In other words, if I make it an article of faith that members of a group identified by myself are stupid and brutal, the more intelligent and refined I can appear, without having to actually gain, let alone display intelligence nor refinement.

And now I have a strong urge to go listen to Gilbert and Sullivan’s Patience once more. It seems as timely as ever.

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