What exactly is an elitist?

[BeBMan]

Re: What exactly is an elitist?

Originally posted by aneeshm
I've been hearing this term being bandied about a lot recently, generally with reference to the US presidential elections, and specifically with reference to Barack Obama.

My question here is: what exactly is an elitist? What is your test for someone being an elitist?

I'd request everyone to keep the US election out of this. Imagine that you were asked this question ten years back, or some other time when this was not such a political issue. If you had to give a general answer, what would you say?

It's just another silly label to either paint someone as the bad guy not understanding "teh people", or, if you're the guy in question and use it to describe yourself positively to paint the broad mass as stupid/uncultured/whatever, while you're the enlightended one.

We're all elitists in some way

[-Jrabbit]

Re: Re: What exactly is an elitist?

Originally posted by BeBro
It's just another silly label to paint someone as the bad guy not understanding "teh people"

[Imran Siddiqui]

Speak for yourself... I am perfectly at home eating Taco Bell and talking to plumbers

[Riesstiu IV]

What about being an 3L1t15t?

[GePap]

Re: What exactly is an elitist?

Originally posted by aneeshm
I've been hearing this term being bandied about a lot recently, generally with reference to the US presidential elections, and specifically with reference to Barack Obama.

My question here is: what exactly is an elitist? What is your test for someone being an elitist?

I'd request everyone to keep the US election out of this. Imagine that you were asked this question ten years back, or some other time when this was not such a political issue. If you had to give a general answer, what would you say?

def:

e·lit·ism or é·lit·ism (ĭ-lç'tĭz'əm, â-lç'-) Pronunciation Key
n.
The belief that certain persons or members of certain classes or groups deserve favored treatment by virtue of their perceived superiority, as in intellect, social status, or financial resources.

The sense of entitlement enjoyed by such a group or class.
Control, rule, or domination by such a group or class.

e·lit'ist adj. & n.

As a pejorative, the word is meant to envoke someone who is antiegalitarian and aristocratic.

As for test, the most simplistic one would be perceived disdain for "common" culture and rituals and a support of aristocratic values and cosmopolitan tastes, ie. liking "high art" and exotic and expensive cuisine over "pop art" and "common foods."

[Asher]

GePap claims to be elitist, he may well be...but he is not elite. It is funn-ee.

[Zkribbler]

Originally posted by Riesstiu IV
People who don't live in a trailer park and think Larry the Cable Guy is funny.

Crap. I don't live in a trailer park, and I think Lawrence the Cable Technician is hilarious.

[Theben]

All I know is they aren't rednecks, or whatever, and occasionally migrate to English castles.

[Kuciwalker]

[Chemical Ollie]

Elitist = Any Apolyton member who ever had sex with a girl

That definition leaves out quite many

And yeah, off course black belt in Kama Sutra also qualifies

[Seedle]

If you are conservative, it means anyone who has any sort of education and attempts to apply it to public service, because voting for intelligent people is bad. Only idiots should be in politics, apparently.

If you are liberal, it means anyone who gains access to money and then spends it on things they want and need, rather than giving it away to everyone else. People working for their own needs is bad, apparently.

[Aeson]

Originally posted by Riesstiu IV
What about being an 3L1t15t?

It's someone who isn't tolerant of script kiddies.

[chequita guevara]

In the United States, elitism is code for liberal and is used to mean that liberal politics aren't in touch with "regular" folk. The fact that this theory was foisted on "regular" folk by the political and social elite of the United States to label people who very frequently fight for the average person is one of the great ironies of American politics. For example, John McCain, who has so many houses he can't even count them all, is not an elitist. Barrak Obama, who started his career organizing low income people in the city IS an elitist.