In other threads I have seen the term "intellectual elitism". It seems that intelligent and educated people are no longer respected by many of you.
Don't we all want our kids to get good grades and go on to good colleges and universities? Aren't our hopes for our children that they earn respect and good paying jobs, jobs they can ENJOY because they find a way to work in a field they are fascinated with? I mean, isn't that one of the key ingredients to happiness?
So why is it that people don't want intelligent and educated people in leadership roles any more? If it's good for our children, why is it bad in our leaders?
I wonder if it is fear that if people are educated and smart, they will be able to pull the wool over our eyes. If so, I think they are wrong. Of course a certain percentage of the population will always be dishonest, but I don't think that percentage goes up with education. As a matter of fact, common sense tells me it should go down. When you are educated, you can see more options, and the dishonest option's allure shrinks.
I wonder if there is a sort of "inferiority complex" that has taken over middle America. I wonder if a large percentage of people with average IQs and high school educations dislikes the so-called "educated elite" simply because they allow themselves to feel inferior to them.
I hope that is not the case.
I want to see the very best qualified, smartest, saviest people in leadership roles that we can possibly find. I would rather have an experienced captain in charge of this ship than a raw recruit from the midwest who has never been aboard anything larger than a rowboat.
Strong emotion has its place. Emotion can drive creativity in the arts. It can bring us a sense of wonder. It can draw us closer to our families and friends. But it can be a hinderance when there is work to be done. When there is a tough, complicated job to be done, give me cool headed intelligence and education over heart felt emotion every time.
Original Post