A return to civility

[scooterbug44]

Unfortunately, the average IQ is 100. Your call for civility would presuppose a moderate education, a lowering of selfishness combined with some genuine self assesment. That's a tall order for a large segment of the population that is fed daily with materialistic selfishness 24/7 by the good folks of mainstream media. It runs counter to the desires of corporate America. Their message is consume and take care of me me me me if you have to walk over your neighbor's dead body to get what you want.

That's why I was trying to present the argument that being polite would end up benefitting you. I know the ME ME MEs wouldn't do it just because!

I continue to dream that an epidemic of common sense and personal responsibilty will hit ;-)

 

[DuneAHH]

Unfortunately, the average IQ is 100. Your call for civility would presuppose a moderate education, a lowering of selfishness combined with some genuine self assesment. That's a tall order for a large segment of the population that is fed daily with materialistic selfishness 24/7 by the good folks of mainstream media. It runs counter to the desires of corporate America. Their message is consume and take care of me me me me if you have to walk over your neighbor's dead body to get what you want.

IF your point here is that manners & civility come with "moderate or higher education and above average IQ"...
I observe:
Many of the sweetest, kindest, most polite people I come across are "mentally challenged" folks with lower IQs; while some of the meanest, nastiest curs are the highly educated above average IQ-ers.

 

[Bob]

IF your point here is that manners & civility come with "moderate or higher education and above average IQ"...
I observe:
Many of the sweetest, kindest, most polite people I come across are "mentally challenged" folks with lower IQs; while some of the meanest, nastiest curs are the highly educated above average IQ-ers.

We've had this discourse in another thread, and I guess my point is that most people are by nature, selfish, and that manners are taught at an early age. Beyond childhood, the only folks likely to change are by introspection, and very little introspection is going on with IQs south of 100. I could be wrong on this, but it's my take on the growing incivility out there.

 

[GoodWitch58]

Bob, I have no scientific data to contribute, but I think IQ has nothing to do with manners. In my experience the so-called intelligent, educated folks (especially if they are newly wealthy) often are the ones with the least amount of courtesy to others.

 

[6thGen]

I believe much of the blame lies with the decrease in two parent households, which I'd speculate that the percentage of two-parent households would be lower amongst those with a sub-100 IQ. However, civility is a direct function of the sense of entitlement from two ends of the spectrum. I speculate that those depending on the government teat or those that possess of a large number of personal resources such as wealth or intelligence are used to and expect to get their way, so they misbehave when they do not.

 

[scooterbug44]

I find that poor manners are not dependent on race, IQ, mental status, wealth, or number of parents. Upbringing does play a major factor.

Sub-100 Iqs don't exactly have a monopoly on divorce or kids outside wedlock!

 

[Mango]

I believe much of the blame lies with the decrease in two parent households, which I'd speculate that the percentage of two-parent households would be lower amongst those with a sub-100 IQ. However, civility is a direct function of the sense of entitlement from two ends of the spectrum. I speculate that those depending on the government teat or those that possess of a large number of personal resources such as wealth or intelligence are used to and expect to get their way, so they misbehave when they do not.

Pleez, An opinion from you on civility is the biggest oxymoron I have seen yet on Sowal. Thank you in advance for the laugh.

 

[6thGen]

I find that poor manners are not dependent on race, IQ, mental status, wealth, or number of parents. Upbringing does play a major factor.

Sub-100 Iqs don't exactly have a monopoly on divorce or kids outside wedlock!

Race, IQ, mental status, wealth and number of parents have an affect on upbringing, so while each may not be a factor in and of itself, they are a factor in a larger sense.

Mango, please don't confuse unrequited civility with that which is requited.

 

[scooterbug44]

Race, IQ, mental status, wealth and number of parents have an affect on upbringing, so while each may not be a factor in and of itself, they are a factor in a larger sense.

Everything is a factor to some extent. I meant that you can't easily categorize one group vs. another in terms of manners.

Whether you were raised by 2 parents or wolves, in a mansion or a ghetto, your manners level will reflect the values and level of discipline you were raised with. I know my parents/relatives consider my manners & upbringing a constant work in progress ;-).

 

[Bob]

Does anyone in this discussion feel that lower IQs would be inclined to question their own behavior as higher IQs?