and just how ELITE are YOU

orig terrible bullshit from doctor bell curve: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/22/AR2010102202873.html

game here: http://ricochet.com/conversations/How-Elite-are-You

1. Can you talk about "Mad Men?"

2. Can you talk about the "The Sopranos?"

3. Do you know who replaced Bob Barker on "The Price Is Right?"

4. Have you watched an Oprah show from beginning to end?

5. Can you hold forth animatedly about yoga?

5. How about pilates?

5. How about skiing?

6. Mountain biking?

7. Do you know who Jimmie Johnson is?

8. Does the acronym MMA mean nothing to you?

9. Can you talk about books endlessly?

10. Have you ever read a "Left Behind" novel?

11. How about a Harlequin romance?

12. Do you take interesting vacations?

13. Do you know a great backpacking spot in the Sierra Nevada?

14. What about an exquisite B&B overlooking Boothbay Harbor?

15. Would you be caught dead in an RV?

16. Would you be caught dead on a cruise ship?

17. Have you ever heard of of Branson, Mo?

18. Have you ever attended a meeting of a Kiwanis Club?

19. How about the Rotary Club?

20. Have you lived for at least a year in a small town?

21. Have you lived for a year in an urban neighborhood in which most of your neighbors did not have college degrees?

22. Have you spent at least a year with a family income less than twice the poverty line?

23. Do you have a close friend who is an evangelical Christian?

24. Have you ever visited a factory floor?

25. Have you worked on one?

1. Can you talk about "Mad Men?" YES

2. Can you talk about the "The Sopranos?" OH YES

3. Do you know who replaced Bob Barker on "The Price Is Right?" that fat dork with the horn rimmed glasses who used to have a sitcom, whatsisname... DREW CARRY

4. Have you watched an Oprah show from beginning to end? sure, as a kid in the 80s.

5. Can you hold forth animatedly about yoga? not really

5. How about pilates? oh please

5. How about skiing? never skiid in my life. always considered it an upper-class snooty jerk sport like golf or tennis

6. Mountain biking? no

7. Do you know who Jimmie Johnson is? no

8. Does the acronym MMA mean nothing to you? it means nothing to me.

9. Can you talk about books endlessly? yeah. my mom was a librarian for chrissakes.

10. Have you ever read a "Left Behind" novel? no

11. How about a Harlequin romance? no. unless DeMaurier's "Rebecca" counts (does it?)

12. Do you take interesting vacations? I used to. not anymore really. plan to resume once the kid gets older.

13. Do you know a great backpacking spot in the Sierra Nevada? no, unless Yosemite counts.

14. What about an exquisite B&B overlooking Boothbay Harbor? I have never heard of Boothbay harbor.

15. Would you be caught dead in an RV? I've been in them. they're kind of annoying. I certainly wouldn't own one.

16. Would you be caught dead on a cruise ship? fuck no. NEVER. horrible horribly wasteful and environmentally damaging things

17. Have you ever heard of of Branson, Mo? yes

18. Have you ever attended a meeting of a Kiwanis Club?

19. How about the Rotary Club?

20. Have you lived for at least a year in a small town?

21. Have you lived for a year in an urban neighborhood in which most of your neighbors did not have college degrees?

22. Have you spent at least a year with a family income less than twice the poverty line?

23. Do you have a close friend who is an evangelical Christian?

24. Have you ever visited a factory floor?

25. Have you worked on one?

18. Have you ever attended a meeting of a Kiwanis Club? isn't that one of those "no Jews allowed" things

19. How about the Rotary Club? isn't that one of those "no Jews allowed" things

20. Have you lived for at least a year in a small town? I grew up in a tiny-ass suburb does that count

21. Have you lived for a year in an urban neighborhood in which most of your neighbors did not have college degrees? sure

22. Have you spent at least a year with a family income less than twice the poverty line? I'm not sure, what's the poverty line?

23. Do you have a close friend who is an evangelical Christian? do hardcore born-again catholics count? if so, yes.

24. Have you ever visited a factory floor? no

25. Have you worked on one? no

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gfMXEmCew4

1. Can you talk about "Mad Men?" yes

2. Can you talk about the "The Sopranos?" yes

3. Do you know who replaced Bob Barker on "The Price Is Right?" yes i do, i won't ruin it for others (he had his own sitcom for a while and he's some kind of libertarian i guess

4. Have you watched an Oprah show from beginning to end? i don't think so, no

5. Can you hold forth animatedly about yoga? no

5. How about pilates? no

5. How about skiing? no

6. Mountain biking? no

7. Do you know who Jimmie Johnson is? nascar driver?

8. Does the acronym MMA mean nothing to you? i saw the very first UFC. wild shit

9. Can you talk about books endlessly? i could be pedantic about "endlessly", so, yeah sure

10. Have you ever read a "Left Behind" novel? my right-wing college roommate bought one at a grocery store checkout and it creeped even him out tbh

11. How about a Harlequin romance? no. a beeline romance, yeah.

12. Do you take interesting vacations? dude i don't take any vacations.

13. Do you know a great backpacking spot in the Sierra Nevada? no

14. What about an exquisite B&B overlooking Boothbay Harbor? the fuck is that

15. Would you be caught dead in an RV? sure but i wouldn't want to own or pay gas for one

16. Would you be caught dead on a cruise ship? sure

17. Have you ever heard of of Branson, Mo? yes i have heard of it

18. Have you ever attended a meeting of a Kiwanis Club? no

19. How about the Rotary Club? no. what am i, sixty years old?

20. Have you lived for at least a year in a small town? do the first 22 years of my life count?

21. Have you lived for a year in an urban neighborhood in which most of your neighbors did not have college degrees? yes

22. Have you spent at least a year with a family income less than twice the poverty line? my own? not "family" though

23. Do you have a close friend who is an evangelical Christian? no

24. Have you ever visited a factory floor? on a field trip

25. Have you worked on one? no

1. Can you talk about "Mad Men?" - no

2. Can you talk about the "The Sopranos?" - yes

3. Do you know who replaced Bob Barker on "The Price Is Right?" - yes

4. Have you watched an Oprah show from beginning to end? - no

5. Can you hold forth animatedly about yoga? - no

5. How about pilates? - no

5. How about skiing? - no

6. Mountain biking? - no

7. Do you know who Jimmie Johnson is?- yes

8. Does the acronym MMA mean nothing to you? - nothing

9. Can you talk about books endlessly? - yes

10. Have you ever read a "Left Behind" novel? - no

11. How about a Harlequin romance? - no

12. Do you take interesting vacations? - yes imo

13. Do you know a great backpacking spot in the Sierra Nevada? - not really

14. What about an exquisite B&B overlooking Boothbay Harbor? - no

15. Would you be caught dead in an RV? - nah

16. Would you be caught dead on a cruise ship? sure

17. Have you ever heard of of Branson, Mo? - yes

18. Have you ever attended a meeting of a Kiwanis Club? - no

19. How about the Rotary Club? - no

20. Have you lived for at least a year in a small town? - yes

21. Have you lived for a year in an urban neighborhood in which most of your neighbors did not have college degrees? - maybe, i don't know

22. Have you spent at least a year with a family income less than twice the poverty line? - i don't think so

23. Do you have a close friend who is an evangelical Christian? - no

24. Have you ever visited a factory floor? - yes

25. Have you worked on one? - yes

1. Can you talk about "Mad Men?" - yup

2. Can you talk about the "The Sopranos?" - nope

3. Do you know who replaced Bob Barker on "The Price Is Right?" - yep

4. Have you watched an Oprah show from beginning to end? - actually don't think i have?

5. Can you hold forth animatedly about yoga? - for a couple of minutes maybe

5. How about pilates? - nope

5. How about skiing? - nope

6. Mountain biking? - been on a mountain bike, never taken it near a mountain

7. Do you know who Jimmie Johnson is? - the NASCAR dude?

8. Does the acronym MMA mean nothing to you? - not much, no

9. Can you talk about books endlessly? - sure

10. Have you ever read a "Left Behind" novel? - nope

11. How about a Harlequin romance? - no, but my grandmother read a ton of them

12. Do you take interesting vacations? - i've had some, yes

13. Do you know a great backpacking spot in the Sierra Nevada? - no

14. What about an exquisite B&B overlooking Boothbay Harbor? - not even sure where this is

15. Would you be caught dead in an RV? - i...don't see why not?

16. Would you be caught dead on a cruise ship? - cruises are great!

17. Have you ever heard of of Branson, Mo? - yes

18. Have you ever attended a meeting of a Kiwanis Club? - nope

19. How about the Rotary Club? - nope

20. Have you lived for at least a year in a small town? - first eighteen years of my life, yes

21. Have you lived for a year in an urban neighborhood in which most of your neighbors did not have college degrees? - dunno, i don't ask all my neighbors about their academic backgrounds

22. Have you spent at least a year with a family income less than twice the poverty line? - i've never had a "family income" (not counting when i was living with my parents)

23. Do you have a close friend who is an evangelical Christian? - no

24. Have you ever visited a factory floor? - yes

25. Have you worked on one? - yes

These questions are making me feel lazy – I can't "hold forth animatedly" about four types of exercise, because I don't do them, and my main relationship to Sierra Nevada is this
http://www.patnsteph.net/blogpics/Sierra_Nevada_Pale_Ale_bottle.jpg
it goes in my mouth

1. Can you talk about "Mad Men?"
Yes, I've seen every episode.

2. Can you talk about the "The Sopranos?"
Not really; I haven't seen an episode.

3. Do you know who replaced Bob Barker on "The Price Is Right?"
Drew Carey.

4. Have you watched an Oprah show from beginning to end?
I'm honestly not sure if I've seen one from beginning to end, only because most of the time when I watch Oprah, I'm flipping between her and Jimmy Fallon.

5. Can you hold forth animatedly about yoga?
"Hold forth animatedly"? GTFO. I am currently enrolled in a yoga class, though.

5. How about pilates?
Nah.

5. How about skiing?
Never done it.

6. Mountain biking?
Nope.

7. Do you know who Jimmie Johnson is?
The football coach or the NASCAR racer?

8. Does the acronym MMA mean nothing to you?
Hmmm ... I guess it doesn't.

9. Can you talk about books endlessly?
"Endlessly"? OK, whatever. Just ask me if I'm an English major. (I am.)

10. Have you ever read a "Left Behind" novel?
No.

11. How about a Harlequin romance?
No.

12. Do you take interesting vacations?
Depends on what you consider interesting.

13. Do you know a great backpacking spot in the Sierra Nevada?
No.

14. What about an exquisite B&B overlooking Boothbay Harbor?
No idea what Boothbay Harbor even is.

15. Would you be caught dead in an RV?
I suppose I could muster some disapproval of RVs as gas-guzzlers, but I bet it'd be pretty fun to ride in one.

16. Would you be caught dead on a cruise ship?
I guess I'm supposed to think of cruise ships as depressing (cf. David Foster Wallace), and I can't really imagine ever paying for the experience, but I can't really hate on chilling in the Caribbean with all my amenities taken care of.

17. Have you ever heard of of Branson, Mo?
Sure.

18. Have you ever attended a meeting of a Kiwanis Club?
No.

19. How about the Rotary Club?
No, but my fiancee works for the parent organization.

20. Have you lived for at least a year in a small town?
Probably not.

21. Have you lived for a year in an urban neighborhood in which most of your neighbors did not have college degrees?
Yes, I've lived in zip code 60660 (2001-05) and 60640 (2005-07), both of which have a majority population without a college degree, according to zipskinny.com

22. Have you spent at least a year with a family income less than twice the poverty line?
No.

23. Do you have a close friend who is an evangelical Christian?
My best friend in high school might be described as such; I've sort of lost touch with her, though.

24. Have you ever visited a factory floor?
No.

25. Have you worked on one?
No.

Shakey is kidding re: the Rotary Club, right

1. Can you talk about "Mad Men?" Nope.

2. Can you talk about the "The Sopranos?" No.

3. Do you know who replaced Bob Barker on "The Price Is Right?" Louie Anderson!

4. Have you watched an Oprah show from beginning to end? Only when I’m sick at home.

5. Can you hold forth animatedly about yoga? Are we talking about Shabd Yoga?

5. How about pilates? Noooo.

5. How about skiing? Fuck that shit.

6. Mountain biking? No I’ve always owned cruisers.

7. Do you know who Jimmie Johnson is? Nope

8. Does the acronym MMA mean nothing to you? Yes, I am constantly defending the sport to my pantywaist friends.

9. Can you talk about books endlessly? No.

10. Have you ever read a "Left Behind" novel? Fuck no!

11. How about a Harlequin romance? Yeah but that was before I discovered real porn.

12. Do you take interesting vacations? No.

13. Do you know a great backpacking spot in the Sierra Nevada? I wish I did!

14. What about an exquisite B&B overlooking Boothbay Harbor? LOL WUT?

15. Would you be caught dead in an RV? Only if it was David Parker Ray’s, heh.

16. Would you be caught dead on a cruise ship? Only if I got legionnaire’s and they didn't debark in time to save me.

17. Have you ever heard of Branson, Mo? Yes, and my step-dad owns a Branson mug.

18. Have you ever attended a meeting of a Kiwanis Club? No.

19. How about the Rotary Club? Nope.

20. Have you lived for at least a year in a small town? Yeah and it sucked!

21. Have you lived for a year in an urban neighborhood in which most of your neighbors did not have college degrees? Yes.

22. Have you spent at least a year with a family income less than twice the poverty line? Yes.

23. Do you have a close friend who is an evangelical Christian? Nope.

24. Have you ever visited a factory floor? Yes.

25. Have you worked on one? No, but my parents have.

Hilarious that Mr. Bell Curve thinks that the Kiwanis and Rotary Club are composed of "elites" rather than "Fred who owns the hardware store and Jim from the bank."

no i think that's the point

some of the questions are elite-yes, others elite-no. blame 'claire berlinski' whoever that is

oh shit I forgot Louie took over Family Feud and its Drew Carey at the helm of TPIR. Now I feel like a typical liberal elitist...

I thought Al from Home Improvement was the Family Feud guy now.

1. Can you talk about "Mad Men?"
I know what "Mad Men" is but have never watched out. But I'll expound at length (ha ha) about Christina Hendricks if you want.

2. Can you talk about the "The Sopranos?"
Never watched it, can discuss the major plot stuff that leaked into popular culture.

3. Do you know who replaced Bob Barker on "The Price Is Right?"
Yes.

4. Have you watched an Oprah show from beginning to end?
No.

5. Can you hold forth animatedly about yoga?
Uh . . . no? Yes? I used to do yoga in college, and I enjoyed it.

5. How about pilates?
No.

5. How about skiing?
No.

6. Mountain biking?
No.

7. Do you know who Jimmie Johnson is?
Yes.

8. Does the acronym MMA mean nothing to you?
Not only do I know what MMA is, I've ordered it on PPV.

9. Can you talk about books endlessly?
Yes.

10. Have you ever read a "Left Behind" novel?
No.

11. How about a Harlequin romance?
Only as a joke when I worked at a Waldenbooks.

12. Do you take interesting vacations?
I haven't had a vacation since 2006, and only then because I got free use of a company-owned condo on Maui.

13. Do you know a great backpacking spot in the Sierra Nevada?
No.

14. What about an exquisite B&B overlooking Boothbay Harbor?
No.

15. Would you be caught dead in an RV?
Yes. I might even be caught alive.

16. Would you be caught dead on a cruise ship?
Yes.

17. Have you ever heard of of Branson, Mo?
Yes.

18. Have you ever attended a meeting of a Kiwanis Club?
No.

19. How about the Rotary Club?
No.

20. Have you lived for at least a year in a small town?
Yes. I grew up in one.

21. Have you lived for a year in an urban neighborhood in which most of your neighbors did not have college degrees?
Yes.

22. Have you spent at least a year with a family income less than twice the poverty line?
Yes.

23. Do you have a close friend who is an evangelical Christian?
My mother-in-law, for starters.

24. Have you ever visited a factory floor?
Yes.

25. Have you worked on one?
More than one.

1. Can you talk about "Mad Men?" Yes.

2. Can you talk about the "The Sopranos?" Yes.

3. Do you know who replaced Bob Barker on "The Price Is Right?" Maybe. Was it Drew Carey?

4. Have you watched an Oprah show from beginning to end? Good no.

5. Can you hold forth animatedly about yoga? Animatedly? No.

5. How about pilates? Nope.

5. How about skiing? Nope.

6. Mountain biking? Nope.

7. Do you know who Jimmie Johnson is? The football coach?

8. Does the acronym MMA mean nothing to you? Mixed Martial Arts.

9. Can you talk about books endlessly? Yes.

10. Have you ever read a "Left Behind" novel? No.

11. How about a Harlequin romance? No.

12. Do you take interesting vacations? Yes.

13. Do you know a great backpacking spot in the Sierra Nevada? No.

14. What about an exquisite B&B overlooking Boothbay Harbor? What?

15. Would you be caught dead in an RV? I'd like not to be caught dead anywhere.

16. Would you be caught dead on a cruise ship? Probably not.

17. Have you ever heard of of Branson, Mo? Yes.

18. Have you ever attended a meeting of a Kiwanis Club? No.

19. How about the Rotary Club? No.

20. Have you lived for at least a year in a small town? Yes.

21. Have you lived for a year in an urban neighborhood in which most of your neighbors did not have college degrees? Do you think I would poll people?

22. Have you spent at least a year with a family income less than twice the poverty line? Yes.

23. Do you have a close friend who is an evangelical Christian? No, but I have in-laws.

24. Have you ever visited a factory floor? Yes.

25. Have you worked on one? Nope.

Also this, from a Q&A at the WaPo:

Murray’s imaginary U.S.A.Time and again, this essay describes as “mainstream” or “quintessentially American” things that the vast majority of Americans don’t do: living in a small town (80% of Americans don’t), reading Harlequin romances (85% don’t), watching The Price Is Right or Oprah (more than 90% don’t), belonging to Rotary or Kiwanis (99+% belong to neither.) It isn’t just “elites” who don’t do these things; the average person doesn’t do them. (Nor follow NASCAR.) They’re not even majority behaviors among the groups where they’re more prevalent: the rural-and-small-town, the poorly educated, the old. So Murray’s quarrel is actually with the REAL mainstream America, is it not?

Charles Murray writes:

I don’t think there is any one behavior that a large majority of Americans share. The issue is the extent to which you’ve been exposed to a lot of things that your fellow Americans do. Do you have any personal experience, for example, with blue collar life in the US? If no, you’ve got a big gap in your experience.

Apparently I confused Jimmy Johnson with Jimmie Johnson.

original charles murray piece is so fucking infuriating

On the surface, it looks as if things have changed. Compared with 50 years ago, the proportion of students coming from old-money families and exclusive prep schools has dropped. The representation of African Americans, Latinos and Asian Americans has increased. Yet the student bodies of the elite colleges are still drawn overwhelmingly from the upper middle class

basically, he's saying that there's something distinctly and specially super elite about today's elites, but the only evidence he cites seems to refute his point. if anything, today's elites (if we're basing this on admissions to top-tier/ivy league universities) seem to be a less unitary and culturally isolated group than they were half a century ago. but charles ignores this in suggesting that they're "not of" america. by implication, to be "of" america is to reflect that which is most popular in america: the most widely held views, tastes and values must be the most legitimately american. and to belong to any group that does not reflect this mainstream at every level is to be something else, something not american. fucking bullshit. fucking evil, poisonous, unpatriotic, profoundly anti-american bullshit.

1. Can you talk about "Mad Men?" yes
2. Can you talk about the "The Sopranos?" yes
3. Do you know who replaced Bob Barker on "The Price Is Right?" nope
4. Have you watched an Oprah show from beginning to end? nope
5. Can you hold forth animatedly about yoga? no
5. How about pilates? no
5. How about skiing? no
6. Mountain biking? no
7. Do you know who Jimmie Johnson is? celtic player, right? j/k
8. Does the acronym MMA mean nothing to you? yup
9. Can you talk about books endlessly? could do but wouldn't
10. Have you ever read a "Left Behind" novel? no
11. How about a Harlequin romance? no
12. Do you take interesting vacations? eh?
13. Do you know a great backpacking spot in the Sierra Nevada? no
14. What about an exquisite B&B overlooking Boothbay Harbor? no
15. Would you be caught dead in an RV? don't see why not
16. Would you be caught dead on a cruise ship? ^^^
17. Have you ever heard of of Branson, Mo? nope
18. Have you ever attended a meeting of a Kiwanis Club? no
19. How about the Rotary Club? lol
20. Have you lived for at least a year in a small town? yes, several
21. Have you lived for a year in an urban neighborhood in which most of your neighbors did not have college degrees? yes
22. Have you spent at least a year with a family income less than twice the poverty line? yes :/
23. Do you have a close friend who is an evangelical Christian? once upon a time
24. Have you ever visited a factory floor? yup
25. Have you worked on one? yup

1. Can you talk about "Mad Men?" Sure

2. Can you talk about the "The Sopranos?" Yep!

3. Do you know who replaced Bob Barker on "The Price Is Right?" Yes I do

4. Have you watched an Oprah show from beginning to end? Yep. Do the early years count? Loved it when she had the Sally Jesse Raphael format, talking to goths or battered housewives instead of the self-help Martha Stewart thing she does now.

5. Can you hold forth animatedly about yoga? no

5. How about pilates? I don't understand it

5. How about skiing? lol no

6. Mountain biking? no.

7. Do you know who Jimmie Johnson is? Nascar driver. Sure.

8. Does the acronym MMA mean nothing to you? No. It means Mixed Martial Arts. But wtf at phrasing the question that way, jerkwad

9. Can you talk about books endlessly? Books i like, for sure. Not all books.

10. Have you ever read a "Left Behind" novel? no

11. How about a Harlequin romance? yep!

12. Do you take interesting vacations? I take vacations that I enjoy. Interesting to me I guess. But the whole idea of specifically taking an 'interesting' vacation seems kind of dickish to me, the question kind of annoys me.

13. Do you know a great backpacking spot in the Sierra Nevada?
no, but if you follow the highway through Sacramento I'm sure you'll find one

14. What about an exquisite B&B overlooking Boothbay Harbor?\
Shut the fuck up

15. Would you be caught dead in an RV? hell yeah! I want to go on an RV vacation

16. Would you be caught dead on a cruise ship? I'd like to try it. Afraid of getting seasick but I fucking love being in the middle of the ocean, I think it would rule. And shuffleboard!

17. Have you ever heard of of Branson, Mo? Yes. Why does that matter?

18. Have you ever attended a meeting of a Kiwanis Club? no. I don't think I understand what it is. Is it like Mr C's Leopard Lodge in Happy Days?

19. How about the Rotary Club? Yes. A couple of them. Had to speak in front of one for a Youth Of the Year competition in high school (turns out I wasn't youth of that particular year lol)

20. Have you lived for at least a year in a small town? Yes. 18 years in fact, Colac Australia represent! (though we technically consider ourselves a city, lol)

21. Have you lived for a year in an urban neighborhood in which most of your neighbors did not have college degrees? I don't talk to my neighbors so I honestly have no idea. No?

22. Have you spent at least a year with a family income less than twice the poverty line? No.

23. Do you have a close friend who is an evangelical Christian?
Not a close friend but I know a couple of people to talk to.

24. Have you ever visited a factory floor? Yep.

25. Have you worked on one? Yep!

So now what?

No Black Metal questions, no credibility

1. Can you talk about "Mad Men?" Yes.

2. Can you talk about the "The Sopranos?" Yes, although all I know about the show is that it was about a Mafia guy and his family and his therapist and that the last episode ended sort of abru

3. Do you know who replaced Bob Barker on "The Price Is Right?" I guess I do now.

4. Have you watched an Oprah show from beginning to end? No.

5. Can you hold forth animatedly about yoga? No.

5. How about pilates? Can't even be bothered to come up with a Pontius Pilate-related pun

5. How about skiing? I hate the cold.

6. Mountain biking? No.

7. Do you know who Jimmie Johnson is? No.

8. Does the acronym MMA mean nothing to you? Multiple things, in fact.

9. Can you talk about books endlessly? Yes.

10. Have you ever read a "Left Behind" novel? No.

11. How about a Harlequin romance? No.

12. Do you take interesting vacations? Would be a bit of a waste to go on a boring vacation, wouldn't it?

13. Do you know a great backpacking spot in the Sierra Nevada? No. Spoiler: I'm not American.

14. What about an exquisite B&B overlooking Boothbay Harbor? See above. Ask me about France though.

15. Would you be caught dead in an RV? Sure. Alive, preferably.

16. Would you be caught dead on a cruise ship? No.

17. Have you ever heard of of Branson, Mo? Yes.

18. Have you ever attended a meeting of a Kiwanis Club? No.

19. How about the Rotary Club? Ha ha ha! No.

20. Have you lived for at least a year in a small town? For most of my first 18 years, yes.

21. Have you lived for a year in an urban neighborhood in which most of your neighbors did not have college degrees? Yes.

22. Have you spent at least a year with a family income less than twice the poverty line? Probably all my life.

23. Do you have a close friend who is an evangelical Christian? No.

24. Have you ever visited a factory floor? Yes.

25. Have you worked on one? Very briefly.

"The members of the New Elite may love America, but, increasingly, they are not of it."

Fuck you Charles Murray.

OK i'm gonna figure out how to score this:

Each answer earns either a plus 1 or a 0. This means the range is 0-25, which is divisible by 5, so the scale would be something like,

00-05 - Highly non-elite
06-10 - Somewhat non-elite
11-15 - Neither elite nor non-elite
15-20 - Somewhat elite
20-25 - Highly elite

So now we just have to figure out the scores per question, as pointed out they are varied in which response is elitist.

01. +1 for yes
02. +1 for no (I think?)
03. +1 for no
04. +1 for yes
05a. +1 for yes
05b. +1 for yes {-- (only use 1 point for calculations for 05 even if you answer yes to all three)
05c. +1 for yes
06. +1 for no
07. +1 for no
08. +1 for no
09. +1 for yes
10. +1 for no
11. +1 for no
12. +1 for yes
13. +1 for yes
14. +1 for yes
15. +1 for no
16. +1 for no
17. +1 for no
18. +1 for no
19. +1 for no
20. +1 for no
21. +1 for no
22. +1 for no
23. +1 for no
24. +1 for no
25. +1 for no

i did this exact same thing yesterday morning!! wtf

http://gawker.com/5672385/are-you-a-member-of-the-new-elite

oh weird hers came 25 minutes before mine

~~guess it was just in the air~~

1. Can you talk about "Mad Men?" I am so 1337 that I make parody youtubez
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1vlt_z7cmM

2. Can you talk about the "The Sopranos?" a little. I watched the first season. I guess I can talk about it enough to have the ultra-elite opinion that I've seen it and was kinda 'eh'

3. Do you know who replaced Bob Barker on "The Price Is Right?" Drew Carey, and he was kind of awkward at first but I caught an episode a while back and he seems to have settled into it nicely.

4. Have you watched an Oprah show from beginning to end? I've seen many episodes. I used to watch it back in the day with my mom. I credit Oprah with inspiring me to start a magazine and put myself on the cover every month. Also, here is my favorite NSFW Oprah clip:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4xg9lyEhP8

5. Can you hold forth animatedly about yoga? I can, but to be honest I can hold forth animatedly about just about anything, I'm really good at faking myself into being really interested into anything.

5. How about pilates? what? uh, pontius pilate? 1?

5. How about skiing? never done it.

6. Mountain biking? looks cool but I'm not a very good athlete

7. Do you know who Jimmie Johnson is? Dallas Cowboys coach, hosts a football show, I think on Fox

8. Does the acronym MMA mean nothing to you? yes

9. Can you talk about books endlessly? certain books, usually the one I'm currently reading

10. Have you ever read a "Left Behind" novel? no, but I've seen 2 of the movies, in Sunday school, as a kid. starring Kirk "McGirt" Cameron

11. How about a Harlequin romance? I haven't, nope. I've never read any romance novel.

12. Do you take interesting vacations? I used to. then I got a job and now I don't do anything interesting at all.

13. Do you know a great backpacking spot in the Sierra Nevada? Nope, but I wish I did!

14. What about an exquisite B&B overlooking Boothbay Harbor? nope.

15. Would you be caught dead in an RV? My friend Cory bought a RV for like $1000 or something and used to tour around the country with his band (Elusive Parallelograms) in it. But there's no way to answer this question. Yes, I'd be caught dead? I don't want to get caught, especially not dead. No, I wouldn't be caught dead? Well, that implies I wouldn't like to hang out in the RV, and that's not right either.

16. Would you be caught dead on a cruise ship? DAMMIT

17. Have you ever heard of of Branson, Mo? I am from Missouri. Most people there have heard of it.

18. Have you ever attended a meeting of a Kiwanis Club? nope

19. How about the Rotary Club? nope. but I'm always ok with hanging out at the club

20. Have you lived for at least a year in a small town? I grew up in a small town.

21. Have you lived for a year in an urban neighborhood in which most of your neighbors did not have college degrees? hmm. probably not.

22. Have you spent at least a year with a family income less than twice the poverty line? Of course. Most people who don't get a crazy good job straight out of high school/college do.

23. Do you have a close friend who is an evangelical Christian? My dad's side of my family, and my mom, are all evangelical Christians.

24. Have you ever visited a factory floor? I guess not. weird.

25. Have you worked on one? nope.

1. Can you talk about "Mad Men?"
yeah but I think it got boring

2. Can you talk about the "The Sopranos?"
I have watched like 20 random episodes

3. Do you know who replaced Bob Barker on "The Price Is Right?"
yes, one of the worst people on the planet

4. Have you watched an Oprah show from beginning to end?
this really only makes sense for 'elite women' cause I'm pretty sure 'nascar dads' don't watch oprah

5. Can you hold forth animatedly about yoga?
not really

5. How about pilates?
no

5. How about skiing?
I went once

6. Mountain biking?
no

7. Do you know who Jimmie Johnson is?
nascar driver

8. Does the acronym MMA mean nothing to you?
don't watch it cause I don't like brutal sports unless there is a ball involved

9. Can you talk about books endlessly?
sure

10. Have you ever read a "Left Behind" novel?
I'm pretty sure even unelite jewish people haven't

11. How about a Harlequin romance?
no

12. Do you take interesting vacations?
I don't take vacations cause I am of the elite poor

13. Do you know a great backpacking spot in the Sierra Nevada?
no

14. What about an exquisite B&B overlooking Boothbay Harbor?
no

15. Would you be caught dead in an RV?
I can pretty much sleep wherever

16. Would you be caught dead on a cruise ship?
except a cruise ship I guess

17. Have you ever heard of of Branson, Mo?
yes

18. Have you ever attended a meeting of a Kiwanis Club?
no

19. How about the Rotary Club?
no

20. Have you lived for at least a year in a small town?
no

21. Have you lived for a year in an urban neighborhood in which most of your neighbors did not have college degrees?
yes

22. Have you spent at least a year with a family income less than twice the poverty line?
yes

23. Do you have a close friend who is an evangelical Christian?
yes

24. Have you ever visited a factory floor?
yes

25. Have you worked on one?
not for an extended amount of time

1. Can you talk about "Mad Men?" - i guess

2. Can you talk about the "The Sopranos?" - sure

3. Do you know who replaced Bob Barker on "The Price Is Right?" - no

4. Have you watched an Oprah show from beginning to end? - there are neither beginnings nor endings to the oprah show

5. Can you hold forth animatedly about yoga? - ummmm

5. How about pilates? - lol no

5. How about skiing? - probably but its mostly 'war stories' that involve drinking

6. Mountain biking? - is this really a yuppie thing? but naw

7. Do you know who Jimmie Johnson is? - dallas football coach?

8. Does the acronym MMA mean nothing to you? - i know what it stands for?

9. Can you talk about books endlessly? - i like books

10. Have you ever read a "Left Behind" novel? - p sure u meant to put quotations around novel, here

11. How about a Harlequin romance? - always like scanning the covers @ the bookstore, if that counts

12. Do you take interesting vacations? - who takes boring vacations?

13. Do you know a great backpacking spot in the Sierra Nevada? - no

14. What about an exquisite B&B overlooking Boothbay Harbor? - no, gaay

15. Would you be caught dead in an RV? - it seems unlikely

16. Would you be caught dead on a cruise ship? - i would prefer not to die at sea, no. wld chill with some drinks on the pool deck tho

17. Have you ever heard of of Branson, Mo? - its like if ned flanders ran vegas

18. Have you ever attended a meeting of a Kiwanis Club? - idk what this is

19. How about the Rotary Club? - no

20. Have you lived for at least a year in a small town? - yes

21. Have you lived for a year in an urban neighborhood in which most of your neighbors did not have college degrees? - how wld i know this? i think probably?

22. Have you spent at least a year with a family income less than twice the poverty line? - personal but not family? if that counts

23. Do you have a close friend who is an evangelical Christian? - no

24. Have you ever visited a factory floor? - yes

25. Have you worked on one? - no

It's weird to me that the question is if you have an Evangelical xtian friend, not if you are one yourself. Why would you be reading Left Behind if you weren't one? To understand the popular literary world of your possible friend?

fuck this shit, I've BEEN to Branson. I roll hardcore american.

It's not do you watch Mad Men or do you like Mad Men but do you TALK ABOUT IT. Seen this tactic used on ILM fwiw, where you tie that easily identifiable shared preference of some group to some negative attribute. So if you like Mad Men, the quiz is telling you that you are an assshole before any scoring has been done.

1. Can you talk about "Mad Men?" - No. Well, I can talk about it, as in 'it's a period programme about advertising', but I'm guessing that's not what they mean.

2. Can you talk about the "The Sopranos?" - See above (except the bit about advertising etc, obviously)

3. Do you know who replaced Bob Barker on "The Price Is Right?" - No

4. Have you watched an Oprah show from beginning to end? - Don't think so. I've seen it, though.

5. Can you hold forth animatedly about yoga? - No

5. How about pilates? - No

5. How about skiing? - No

6. Mountain biking? - No

7. Do you know who Jimmie Johnson is? - No

8. Does the acronym MMA mean nothing to you? - No idea what this is

9. Can you talk about books endlessly? - Yes.

10. Have you ever read a "Left Behind" novel? - No

11. How about a Harlequin romance? - No

12. Do you take interesting vacations? - I don't really take vacations. Do festivals count?

13. Do you know a great backpacking spot in the Sierra Nevada? - No

14. What about an exquisite B&B overlooking Boothbay Harbor? - No

15. Would you be caught dead in an RV? - RVs are sort of like giant American campervans, aren't they? I like campervans.

16. Would you be caught dead on a cruise ship? - Would this be some sort of exciting murder mystery? That would be cool

17. Have you ever heard of of Branson, Mo? - No, I don't think so.

18. Have you ever attended a meeting of a Kiwanis Club? - No idea what this means.

19. How about the Rotary Club? - I've heard of these guys but am still pretty unaware of what they do.

20. Have you lived for at least a year in a small town? - No

21. Have you lived for a year in an urban neighborhood in which most of your neighbors did not have college degrees? - Yes

22. Have you spent at least a year with a family income less than twice the poverty line? - Not sure what the poverty line is exactly, but likely yes.

23. Do you have a close friend who is an evangelical Christian? - Not evangelical, no.

24. Have you ever visited a factory floor? - No

25. Have you worked on one? - No

My answers to these questions don't make me feel like I'm elitist, just stupid or lol British.

i did this exact same thing yesterday morning!! wtf

I knew it looked familiar!

imo all british people are immediately elite when they come to america

this weird discomfort over being perceived as l33t does not carry over to gamers i've noticed.

Ha, I wouldn't mind being 1337, no. Thing is, I'm not sure if being able to talk about Mad Men makes you more or less elite. \o_0/

BBDO totally pwned Draper's clan on the Lucky Strikes account...

xpost seriously, i thought being 1337 was the entire goal of life, at least on Subspace

1. Can you talk about "Mad Men?" Yes

2. Can you talk about the "The Sopranos?" Yes

3. Do you know who replaced Bob Barker on "The Price Is Right?" Yes

4. Have you watched an Oprah show from beginning to end? Maybe when I was a little kid?

5. Can you hold forth animatedly about yoga? No

5. How about pilates? No

5. How about skiing? No

6. Mountain biking? No

7. Do you know who Jimmie Johnson is? No

8. Does the acronym MMA mean nothing to you? That's like a UFC thing, right?

9. Can you talk about books endlessly? I can't talk about anything "endlessly." But books would be higher on the list than most things

10. Have you ever read a "Left Behind" novel? No

11. How about a Harlequin romance? No

12. Do you take interesting vacations? Yes!

13. Do you know a great backpacking spot in the Sierra Nevada? No

14. What about an exquisite B&B overlooking Boothbay Harbor? No

15. Would you be caught dead in an RV? Yes

16. Would you be caught dead on a cruise ship? Yeah. what the hell. Wait, how long am I stuck on it?

17. Have you ever heard of of Branson, Mo? Yes

18. Have you ever attended a meeting of a Kiwanis Club? No

19. How about the Rotary Club? No

20. Have you lived for at least a year in a small town? Yes

21. Have you lived for a year in an urban neighborhood in which most of your neighbors did not have college degrees? IDK...

22. Have you spent at least a year with a family income less than twice the poverty line? I think so...

23. Do you have a close friend who is an evangelical Christian? Not since adulthood

24. Have you ever visited a factory floor? Yes

25. Have you worked on one? Yes

sorry max, this was the link from whatever blog i saw it on

OH ITS OK GOOLE DONT WORRY IM NOT UPSET OR ANYTHING I JUST HAVE SOMETHING IN MY EYE

Wait if you are evangelical doesn't that mean you and your evangelical friends go to heaven and everyone that isn't goes to hell? And that's not elitist because....?

1. Can you talk about "Mad Men?" yes.
2. Can you talk about the "The Sopranos? yes.
3. Do you know who replaced Bob Barker on "The Price Is Right?" no.
4. Have you watched an Oprah show from beginning to end? is this even on english telly?
5. Can you hold forth animatedly about yoga? sure.
5. How about pilates? nope.
5. How about skiing? i like the winter olympics.
6. Mountain biking? sure.
7. Do you know who Jimmie Johnson is? no.
8. Does the acronym MMA mean nothing to you? i'm currently watching survivor series 1990, yes i know what this means. (not that anyone at ss90 uses it).
9. Can you talk about books endlessly? i have a degree in english literature.
10. Have you ever read a "Left Behind" novel? and yet i dunno what this means.
11. How about a Harlequin romance? is this like mills&boon?
12. Do you take interesting vacations? why go somewhere if you don't find it interesting?
13. Do you know a great backpacking spot in the Sierra Nevada? no. /british
14. What about an exquisite B&B overlooking Boothbay Harbor? where? /british
15. Would you be caught dead in an RV? i will walk in one, sure. staying in one for a prolonged period of time is a no tho
16. Would you be caught dead on a cruise ship? if it was free or someone builds the next titanic, maybe
17. Have you ever heard of of Branson, Mo? /british
18. Have you ever attended a meeting of a Kiwanis Club? /british
19. How about the Rotary Club? i don't think we have these here. once went to a party at a sailing club though, was kinda lame.
20. Have you lived for at least a year in a small town? yes and i dearly want to leave.
21. Have you lived for a year in an urban neighborhood in which most of your neighbors did not have college degrees? not really.
22. Have you spent at least a year with a family income less than twice the poverty line? as my father and i spent most of last year unemployed i have to say sure.
23. Do you have a close friend who is an evangelical Christian? i have an ex-girlfriend and ewww these people are mental.
24. Have you ever visited a factory floor? sure.
25. Have you worked on one? no because i've only ever worked in retail like a crazy elitest.

I haven't read a Left Behind novel but i have watched a movie, so that's probably worth more non-elitist points than if i had read it.

Then again, i watched it ironically. So maybe i'm back to zero?

1. Can you talk about "Mad Men?" no
2. Can you talk about the "The Sopranos?" no
3. Do you know who replaced Bob Barker on "The Price Is Right?" yes, drew carey
4. Have you watched an Oprah show from beginning to end? no
5. Can you hold forth animatedly about yoga? no
5. How about pilates? no
5. How about skiing? no
6. Mountain biking? no
7. Do you know who Jimmie Johnson is? nascar driver rite?
8. Does the acronym MMA mean nothing to you? mixed martial arts
9. Can you talk about books endlessly? yes
10. Have you ever read a "Left Behind" novel? no
11. How about a Harlequin romance? no
12. Do you take interesting vacations? no, never go on vacation
13. Do you know a great backpacking spot in the Sierra Nevada? no
14. What about an exquisite B&B overlooking Boothbay Harbor? no
15. Would you be caught dead in an RV? yers
16. Would you be caught dead on a cruise ship? yes
17. Have you ever heard of of Branson, Mo? yes
18. Have you ever attended a meeting of a Kiwanis Club? no
19. How about the Rotary Club? no
20. Have you lived for at least a year in a small town? kind of...'small college city'
21. Have you lived for a year in an urban neighborhood in which most of your neighbors did not have college degrees? my childhood
22. Have you spent at least a year with a family income less than twice the poverty line? see above
23. Do you have a close friend who is an evangelical Christian? no
24. Have you ever visited a factory floor? yes
25. Have you worked on one? no

How about the Rotary Club? i don't think we have these here.

Yes you do, it's international. Also I once met a British Rotarian whilst traveling in Peru.

so how do we score this

1. Can you talk about "Mad Men?" no.
2. Can you talk about the "The Sopranos? yes.
3. Do you know who replaced Bob Barker on "The Price Is Right?" no.
4. Have you watched an Oprah show from beginning to end? no.
5. Can you hold forth animatedly about yoga? yes
5. How about pilates? no
5. How about skiing? no
6. Mountain biking? yes
7. Do you know who Jimmie Johnson is? no.
8. Does the acronym MMA mean nothing to you? no
9. Can you talk about books endlessly? yes
10. Have you ever read a "Left Behind" novel? i think so.
11. How about a Harlequin romance? no
12. Do you take interesting vacations? i guess so
13. Do you know a great backpacking spot in the Sierra Nevada? no.
14. What about an exquisite B&B overlooking Boothbay Harbor? no
15. Would you be caught dead in an RV? no
16. Would you be caught dead on a cruise ship? no
17. Have you ever heard of of Branson? no
18. Have you ever attended a meeting of a Kiwanis Club? no
19. How about the Rotary Club? no
20. Have you lived for at least a year in a small town? yes
21. Have you lived for a year in an urban neighborhood in which most of your neighbors did not have college degrees? don't know
22. Have you spent at least a year with a family income less than twice the poverty line? no
23. Do you have a close friend who is an evangelical Christian? no
24. Have you ever visited a factory floor? yes
25. Have you worked on one? no

that was pointless

Left Behind is a series of 16 best-selling novels by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins, dealing with Christian dispensationalist End Times: pretribulation, premillennial, Christian eschatological viewpoint of the end of the world. The primary conflict of the series is the members of the Tribulation Force against the Global Community and its leader Nicolae Carpathia—the Antichrist. Left Behind is also the title of the first book in the series. The series was first published 1995-2007 by Tyndale House, a firm with a history of interest in dispensationalism.

The series has been adapted into three action thriller films with the fourth being discussed by Cloud Ten Pictures. The films are Left Behind: The Movie, Left Behind II: Tribulation Force and Left Behind: World at War. The series also inspired the PC game "Left Behind: Eternal Forces" and its sequel, "Left Behind: Tribulation Forces."

ew ytf would i read one of these?

1. Can you talk about "Mad Men?" -
first season, yeah
2. Can you talk about the "The Sopranos?" -
part of the last season, kinda
3. Do you know who replaced Bob Barker on "The Price Is Right?"
yes
4. Have you watched an Oprah show from beginning to end?
no
5. Can you hold forth animatedly about yoga?
no
5. How about pilates?
no
5. How about skiing?
no
6. Mountain biking?
no
7. Do you know who Jimmie Johnson is?
yes
8. Does the acronym MMA mean nothing to you?
yes
9. Can you talk about books endlessly?
yes
10. Have you ever read a "Left Behind" novel?
no
11. How about a Harlequin romance?
no
12. Do you take interesting vacations?
when I get to take vacations
13. Do you know a great backpacking spot in the Sierra Nevada?
no
14. What about an exquisite B&B overlooking Boothbay Harbor?
no
15. Would you be caught dead in an RV?
sure
16. Would you be caught dead on a cruise ship?
no
17. Have you ever heard of of Branson, Mo?
yes
18. Have you ever attended a meeting of a Kiwanis Club?
no
19. How about the Rotary Club?
no
20. Have you lived for at least a year in a small town?
yes
21. Have you lived for a year in an urban neighborhood in which most of your neighbors did not have college degrees?
yes
22. Have you spent at least a year with a family income less than twice the poverty line?
no
23. Do you have a close friend who is an evangelical Christian?
no
24. Have you ever visited a factory floor?
yes
25. Have you worked on one?
yes

oh, so i didnt read any Left xpost

er, on 8 I mean no I mean fuuuuuuck what a stupid way to phrase the question

Score another confused, marginal outcome. This stuff is so random it's amazing.

1. Can you talk about "Mad Men?" I don't have cable, so no.
2. Can you talk about the "The Sopranos?"No. Same reason.
3. Do you know who replaced Bob Barker on "The Price Is Right?"Nope.
4. Have you watched an Oprah show from beginning to end?Nope.
5. Can you hold forth animatedly about yoga?God, no.
5. How about pilates?No.
5. How about skiing?No.
6. Mountain biking?No. I hike.
7. Do you know who Jimmie Johnson is?Ex-coach of the Dallas Cowboys?
8. Does the acronym MMA mean nothing to you?No. It means mixed martial arts, but I have zero interest in it, so what does that count for?
9. Can you talk about books endlessly?Endlessly? C'mon. At length, certainly. But I rarely do.
10. Have you ever read a "Left Behind" novel?God, no. They are crap.
11. How about a Harlequin romance?No. Same reason. I don't like crap. Sue me.
12. Do you take interesting vacations?What is this supposed to mean. I camp a lot. I find it intersting. Fuck you.
13. Do you know a great backpacking spot in the Sierra Nevada?Not my area. I prefer Oregon and Washington state. Fuck you again.
14. What about an exquisite B&B overlooking Boothbay Harbor?Never heard of it.
15. Would you be caught dead in an RV?I much prefer tent camping, but I'm flexible.
16. Would you be caught dead on a cruise ship?Who's paying? Cruise to where? You are an idiot.
17. Have you ever heard of of Branson, Mo?Yes. Sounds sucky.
18. Have you ever attended a meeting of a Kiwanis Club?No.
19. How about the Rotary Club?No.
20. Have you lived for at least a year in a small town?Boston Harbor, WA. Sounds high-class, huh? It wasn't.
21. Have you lived for a year in an urban neighborhood in which most of your neighbors did not have college degrees?Damn straight I have.
22. Have you spent at least a year with a family income less than twice the poverty line?Twice the poverty level? Luxury!
23. Do you have a close friend who is an evangelical Christian?Sure. Who wants to know?
24. Have you ever visited a factory floor?Yes. 4th grade field trip.
25. Have you worked on one?No. My crappy jobs were elsewhere. Bus boy in a pancake house. Sales clerk in a tool and die wholesale/retail shop. Shit jobs are equal opportunity. I drive a school bus. Factory workers can kiss my ass.

20. Have you lived for at least a year in a small town? kind of...'small college city'

lol nice try

MMA is not such a red state thing, either - aside from WWE demo crossover it looks sort of blue state - the main guy behind the biggest promotion is out stumping for Harry Reid, most of its stars aren't white Americans, its core hubs are either urban (San Francisco, for one) or outside the country
Weird one to pick, neither MMA nor boxing have a lot in common with NASCAR

1. Can you talk about "Mad Men?" Hell yes.

2. Can you talk about the "The Sopranos?" Not nearly as much as Mad Men.

3. Do you know who replaced Bob Barker on "The Price Is Right?" Yes.

4. Have you watched an Oprah show from beginning to end? Yes.

5. Can you hold forth animatedly about yoga? Yes, somewhat animatedly.

5. How about pilates? Not as much.

5. How about skiing? Eh.

6. Mountain biking? No.

7. Do you know who Jimmie Johnson is? I looked it up the other day but I forgot.

8. Does the acronym MMA mean nothing to you? It means nothing to me. Cue MDMA joek.

9. Can you talk about books endlessly? Probably.

10. Have you ever read a "Left Behind" novel? Nope.

11. How about a Harlequin romance? When I was a young adult (and curious about sex) I used to get these from the library.

12. Do you take interesting vacations? Yes, but I don't have the money for REALLY interesting ones.

13. Do you know a great backpacking spot in the Sierra Nevada? No.

14. What about an exquisite B&B overlooking Boothbay Harbor? No.

15. Would you be caught dead in an RV? Yes.

16. Would you be caught dead on a cruise ship? Yes.

17. Have you ever heard of of Branson, Mo? I have.

18. Have you ever attended a meeting of a Kiwanis Club? No.

19. How about the Rotary Club? No, but I know someone who is a member and attends meetings.

20. Have you lived for at least a year in a small town? Yes, if you count college. Excluding college, no. I'm a city kid.

21. Have you lived for a year in an urban neighborhood in which most of your neighbors did not have college degrees? Yes.

22. Have you spent at least a year with a family income less than twice the poverty line? I think so.

23. Do you have a close friend who is an evangelical Christian? No.

24. Have you ever visited a factory floor? Yes.

25. Have you worked on one? I did packaging/distribution stuff at a warehouse; they fired me on the first day for not being fast enough.

1. Can you talk about "Mad Men?" - basically no (2 episodes)

2. Can you talk about the "The Sopranos?" - no (1 episode)

3. Do you know who replaced Bob Barker on "The Price Is Right?" - no

4. Have you watched an Oprah show from beginning to end? - she's been national for 25 years, I suppose maybe once

5. Can you hold forth animatedly about yoga? - no

5. How about pilates? - no

5. How about skiing? - no

6. Mountain biking? - no

7. Do you know who Jimmie Johnson is? - I was thinking of Robert Johnson

8. Does the acronym MMA mean nothing to you? - fuck yeah, need to get some gloves

9. Can you talk about books endlessly? - ENDLESSLY? no

10. Have you ever read a "Left Behind" novel? - no

11. How about a Harlequin romance? - no

12. Do you take interesting vacations? - yes

13. Do you know a great backpacking spot in the Sierra Nevada? - no

14. What about an exquisite B&B overlooking Boothbay Harbor? - fuck off

15. Would you be caught dead in an RV? - indifferent

16. Would you be caught dead on a cruise ship? - probably not

17. Have you ever heard of of Branson, Mo? - yes

18. Have you ever attended a meeting of a Kiwanis Club? - no

19. How about the Rotary Club? - no

20. Have you lived for at least a year in a small town? - no, not anti-elite small

21. Have you lived for a year in an urban neighborhood in which most of your neighbors did not have college degrees? - dunno, but the LES in '94 probably had some overeducated crackheads

22. Have you spent at least a year with a family income less than twice the poverty line? - like last year, when I was unemployed? probably

23. Do you have a close friend who is an evangelical Christian? - no

24. Have you ever visited a factory floor? - yes

25. Have you worked on one? - yes

my turn, why not:

1. Can you talk about "Mad Men?" No

2. Can you talk about the "The Sopranos?" No

3. Do you know who replaced Bob Barker on "The Price Is Right?" Yes, posted threads on here about it

4. Have you watched an Oprah show from beginning to end? Fuck No

5. Can you hold forth animatedly about yoga? No

5. How about pilates? No

5. How about skiing? Not for 16 years

6. Mountain biking? Hell no

7. Do you know who Jimmie Johnson is? Makes great sandwiches, right?

8. Does the acronym MMA mean nothing to you? yeah, obsessed over by my hick/dropout coworkers and film school/brah housemate

9. Can you talk about books endlessly? Hell yeah

10. Have you ever read a "Left Behind" novel? fuck no. the write-ups on Slacktivist do the reading for me

11. How about a Harlequin romance? How 'bout Starcraft novelizations? Terry Pratchett? Those are on the NYT lists, too, ya know

12. Do you take interesting vacations? I can afford vacations?

13. Do you know a great backpacking spot in the Sierra Nevada? fuck backpacking, there's no cell coverage.

14. What about an exquisite B&B overlooking Boothbay Harbor? "Botany Bay?"

15. Would you be caught dead in an RV? Spent my childhood in a camper on family summer trips

16. Would you be caught dead on a cruise ship? at 16, in 1993. The Big Red Boat, when it was still affliated with Disney. Told the girl in the mickey mouse costume that she was a little short for a stormtrooper

17. Have you ever heard of of Branson, Mo? "It's like Las Vegas, if it were run by Ned Flanders."

18. Have you ever attended a meeting of a Kiwanis Club? No

19. How about the Rotary Club? I regularly attended meetings of a group sponsored by them, called "Youth Flint Leadership 2000". does that count?

20. Have you lived for at least a year in a small town? Ann Arbor?

21. Have you lived for a year in an urban neighborhood in which most of your neighbors did not have college degrees? couldn't tell ya

22. Have you spent at least a year with a family income less than twice the poverty line? yeah, it was called six years of undergraduate education, or, say, 2009 & 2010

23. Do you have a close friend who is an evangelical Christian? not as such

24. Have you ever visited a factory floor? yup

25. Have you worked on one? i do so now, motherfucker

The thrusts of these questions is like "head-trauma-inducingly middle-brow"

1. Can you talk about "Mad Men?"

i recently pored over a stack of the last few months' issues of newsweek magazine, which was great, except that i found it annoying that there were references to don draper or the series in general probably 3.5 times per week on average. is that show really t h e premier cultural touchstone these days? that and, i dunno, dancing with the stars or something? glee?

also why is fareed zakaria skipping town over to time?

ok, bye

Hahaha, b/c i didn't know the game had not one, but TWO sequels:

Left Behind 3: Rise of the Antichrist PC
http://media.ign.com/games/image/object/089/089048/Left-Behind-3_PC_Sboxart_160w.jpg
Left Behind 3: Rise of the Antichrist is a real-time strategy game based on the best-selling Left Behind book series, created by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins. Join the ultimate fight of Good versus Evil, commanding the Tribulation Forces, the Global Community Peacekeepers and the American Militia! Gamers will enjoy all new building graphics, improved missions and over 40 new interactive movies to enhance the storyline.

The game includes 46 single player missions including tutorials, 3 multiplayer modes, 39 maps, and a robust skirmish mode allowing you to play against the computer by yourself or with up to 7 friends online. Geared toward players of all ages 13 and up, three levels of computer difficulty will challenge even the most experienced RTS gamer. Easy to understand controls and a comprehensive tutorial will ease even the most inexperienced gamer into a thriving, relasitic depiction of a future New York City on the brink of World War III.

Genre: Real-Time Strategy
Publisher: Left Behind Games
Developer/Co-Developer: Left Behind Games / Cokem
Release Date: Q4 2010
MSRP: $29.99
Exclusively on: PC
T for Teen: Violence

1. Can you talk about "Mad Men?" yeah, have never seen an entire episode, but

2. Can you talk about the "The Sopranos?" yeah, have never seen an entire episode, but

3. Do you know who replaced Bob Barker on "The Price Is Right?" a skinny version of drew carey

4. Have you watched an Oprah show from beginning to end? yes!

5. Can you hold forth animatedly about yoga? yes, and then some

5. How about pilates? nah

5. How about skiing? hell nah

6. Mountain biking? nah

7. Do you know who Jimmie Johnson is? nah

8. Does the acronym MMA mean nothing to you? MIXED MARITAL ARTS, love 'em

9. Can you talk about books endlessly? yurp

10. Have you ever read a "Left Behind" novel? no, but i was a technical adviser on the last couple in the series

11. How about a Harlequin romance? all of them

12. Do you take interesting vacations? nawp

13. Do you know a great backpacking spot in the Sierra Nevada? donner pass

14. What about an exquisite B&B overlooking Boothbay Harbor? booth what now?

15. Would you be caught dead in an RV? all the time

16. Would you be caught dead on a cruise ship? bi-enially

17. Have you ever heard of of Branson, Mo? yes

18. Have you ever attended a meeting of a Kiwanis Club? no

19. How about the Rotary Club? no

20. Have you lived for at least a year in a small town? growing up

21. Have you lived for a year in an urban neighborhood in which most of your neighbors did not have college degrees? no

22. Have you spent at least a year with a family income less than twice the poverty line? yes

23. Do you have a close friend who is an evangelical Christian? yes

24. Have you ever visited a factory floor? yes

25. Have you worked on one? no

1. Can you talk about "Mad Men?" No.

2. Can you talk about the "The Sopranos?" No.

3. Do you know who replaced Bob Barker on "The Price Is Right?" Drew Carey.

4. Have you watched an Oprah show from beginning to end? No, I usually drift in and out of the room when a corny talk show is on.

5. Can you hold forth animatedly about yoga? No.

5. How about pilates? No.

5. How about skiing? No.

6. Mountain biking? No.

7. Do you know who Jimmie Johnson is? He's a race car driver? I thought he was a football player.

8. Does the acronym MMA mean nothing to you? Mixed Martial Arts.

9. Can you talk about books endlessly? Yes.

10. Have you ever read a "Left Behind" novel? No.

11. How about a Harlequin romance? FFFFFFF... yes.

12. Do you take interesting vacations? No.

13. Do you know a great backpacking spot in the Sierra Nevada? No.

14. What about an exquisite B&B overlooking Boothbay Harbor? I live in Maine. I think that qualifies.

15. Would you be caught dead in an RV? Do I want to waste gasoline? No.

16. Would you be caught dead on a cruise ship? Probably not.

17. Have you ever heard of of Branson, Mo? Vegas for clean folk.

18. Have you ever attended a meeting of a Kiwanis Club? No.

19. How about the Rotary Club? No.

20. Have you lived for at least a year in a small town? I'm living in ruralville USA.

21. Have you lived for a year in an urban neighborhood in which most of your neighbors did not have college degrees? No.

22. Have you spent at least a year with a family income less than twice the poverty line? No.

23. Do you have a close friend who is an evangelical Christian? Baptist.

24. Have you ever visited a factory floor? No.

25. Have you worked on one? No.

11. How about a Harlequin romance?

this one reminded me, there's a pretty good documentary about romance novelists from the late eighties called Where the Heart Roams. E. Jean Carroll, who wrote a bio of Hunter S. Thompson appears in it, on assignment for Playgirl Magazine. She is fittingly feisty, chain-smoking...

1. Can you talk about "Mad Men?"
I did once
2. Can you talk about the "The Sopranos?"
It was a show with gangsters and it was acclaimed for its use of Bruce Springsteen
3. Do you know who replaced Bob Barker on "The Price Is Right?"
Randy Johnson?
4. Have you watched an Oprah show from beginning to end?
No but I have made bold claims about what her thing with that one guy said about the state of American literature
5. Can you hold forth animatedly about yoga?
5. How about pilates?
5. How about skiing?
Why do these three share a number but mountain biking gets its own?
6. Mountain biking?
No, but I look forward to the equivalent survey that asks about single speeds
7. Do you know who Jimmie Johnson is?
That is not a real person
8. Does the acronym MMA mean nothing to you?
The acronym MDMA does am I right guys
9. Can you talk about books endlessly?
I post about them on the internet instead
10. Have you ever read a "Left Behind" novel?
No
11. How about a Harlequin romance?
three of them
12. Do you take interesting vacations?
Generally they involve mountain biking and pilates
13. Do you know a great backpacking spot in the Sierra Nevada?
14. What about an exquisite B&B overlooking Boothbay Harbor?
I was previously unaware that such things existed
15. Would you be caught dead in an RV?
I ride the bus every day, triangulate
16. Would you be caught dead on a cruise ship?
See above
17. Have you ever heard of of Branson, Mo?
Didn't he finance 'Tubular Bells'?
18. Have you ever attended a meeting of a Kiwanis Club?
19. How about the Rotary Club?
I'm a Mason, if that counts
20. Have you lived for at least a year in a small town?
Oh god, yes
21. Have you lived for a year in an urban neighborhood in which most of your neighbors did not have college degrees?
I have lived for a year in an urban neighbourhood where most of my neighbours are earning college degrees, I suspect this does not count. Also most of them are earning second college degrees
22. Have you spent at least a year with a family income less than twice the poverty line?
Still chasing that median wage, follow your dreams
23. Do you have a close friend who is an evangelical Christian?
That's not really a thing here
24. Have you ever visited a factory floor?
Only for job interviews
25. Have you worked on one?
Yes. I was not very good at it

I feel like three-quarters of these were pretty much markers of the Old Elite too y'know

1. Can you talk about "Mad Men?" No. Eyeliner notwithstanding, I have never seen, nor hope to see, this show.
2. Can you talk about the "The Sopranos?" No, the allure of all mafia-themed things is lost on me.
3. Do you know who replaced Bob Barker on "The Price Is Right?" No, I have a day job.
4. Have you watched an Oprah show from beginning to end? Day job.
5. Can you hold forth animatedly about yoga? Only in a negative capacity.
5. How about pilates? It sounds...expensive?
5. How about skiing? Yes, because I'm from Snowlandia.
6. Mountain biking? We don't have mountains in the Midwest. Now two-tracking, that I know something about.
7. Do you know who Jimmie Johnson is? Yes, but I haven't watched NASCAR since Dale Earnhardt drove the Wrangler blue & yellow.
8. Does the acronym MMA mean nothing to you? It was in an episode of Law & Order, once.
9. Can you talk about books endlessly? Have we met?
10. Have you ever read a "Left Behind" novel? No, but I read a lot of Frank Peretti "spiritual warfare" ones, so I'm counting this as a Yes.
11. How about a Harlequin romance? Prefer actual erotica tbh.
12. Do you take interesting vacations? Do these cost money?
13. Do you know a great backpacking spot in the Sierra Nevada? Is this something I would need a backpack to know about?
14. What about an exquisite B&B overlooking Boothbay Harbor? Is that north of Traverse City?
15. Would you be caught dead in an RV? I've camped in a pop-up trailer on several vacations -- wait, does that count as "interesting"?
16. Would you be caught dead on a cruise ship? I think I'd be mortified by the fawning service and calculated excess, and walk around apologizing to the staff and picking things up for them all the time.
17. Have you ever heard of of Branson, Mo? No -- along with Minnesota, this is The Other M State that mine is always confused with, so I pretend it doesn't exist.
18. Have you ever attended a meeting of a Kiwanis Club? Is that like the Shriners, the Elks, or the Knights of Columbus? I got paid $20 to play Taps for the VFW every year on Memorial Day, does that count?
19. How about the Rotary Club? Swedes aren't really joiners, plus I'm not sure my town was big enough to have one of these.
20. Have you lived for at least a year in a small town? Yeah, like 18 of them. Years, not towns.
21. Have you lived for a year in an urban neighborhood in which most of your neighbors did not have college degrees? For my sins.
22. Have you spent at least a year with a family income less than twice the poverty line? You mean, half of everyone I knew up until high school graduation?
23. Do you have a close friend who is an evangelical Christian? Is there another kind? You should be careful of your feelings for non-Christians, btw -- you wouldn't want to end up unequally yoked.
24. Have you ever visited a factory floor? Every chance I get!
25. Have you worked on one? Halfway there -- I did 2nd shift production/assembly for a boutique establishment, but there's more cachet in that than in working for the local manufacturer of piston rings or carburetors. I've cleaned hotel rooms for pocket money, that's got to be the feminized equivalent?

1. Can you talk about "Mad Men?"
I can talk about almost anything. (yes)

2. Can you talk about the "The Sopranos?"
See above. (yes)

3. Do you know who replaced Bob Barker on "The Price Is Right?"
No idea.

4. Have you watched an Oprah show from beginning to end?
No

5. Can you hold forth animatedly about yoga?
I could but I would look kind of foolish. (no)

5. How about pilates?
My gf takes it so I could, though I doubt I'd be very animated. Wtf? (yes)

5. How about skiing?
I haven't skiied in years but i could talk about it. (yes)

6. Mountain biking?
Not really. (no)

7. Do you know who Jimmie Johnson is?
No

8. Does the acronym MMA mean nothing to you?
No

9. Can you talk about books endlessly?
Yes

10. Have you ever read a "Left Behind" novel?
No

11. How about a Harlequin romance?
I'm pretty sure I did once, left with no other options. (yes)

12. Do you take interesting vacations?
Of course I do. (yes)

13. Do you know a great backpacking spot in the Sierra Nevada?
Well, I lived there for 7 years so...what's your point? (yes)

14. What about an exquisite B&B overlooking Boothbay Harbor?
Boothbay? (no)

15. Would you be caught dead in an RV?
Why not? (yes)

16. Would you be caught dead on a cruise ship?
I suppose not. (yes)

17. Have you ever heard of of Branson, Mo?
Of course. (yes)

18. Have you ever attended a meeting of a Kiwanis Club?
No

19. How about the Rotary Club?
No

20. Have you lived for at least a year in a small town?
Less than 100 people. (yes)

21. Have you lived for a year in an urban neighborhood in which most of your neighbors did not have college degrees?
How the fuck am I supposed to know the answer to that? "Just doing a survey so some right-wing creep can try to make me feel bad about myself - did you graduate from college?" (yes)

22. Have you spent at least a year with a family income less than twice the poverty line?
Yes

23. Do you have a close friend who is an evangelical Christian?
No

24. Have you ever visited a factory floor?
Yes

25. Have you worked on one?
No

Oh, wow, Laurel, I forgot about the Frank Peretti books. I read all of those in my On Fire For Jesus days, too. Including the one about the aborted baby who haunts its mother.

1. Can you talk about "Mad Men?" yes
2. Can you talk about the "The Sopranos?" yes
3. Do you know who replaced Bob Barker on "The Price Is Right?" yes
4. Have you watched an Oprah show from beginning to end? I don't know
5. Can you hold forth animatedly about yoga? maybe?
5. How about pilates? maybe?
5. How about skiing? maybe
6. Mountain biking? maybe?
7. Do you know who Jimmie Johnson is? yes
8. Does the acronym MMA mean nothing to you? no
9. Can you talk about books endlessly? no
10. Have you ever read a "Left Behind" novel? no
11. How about a Harlequin romance? no
12. Do you take interesting vacations? maybe
13. Do you know a great backpacking spot in the Sierra Nevada? no
14. What about an exquisite B&B overlooking Boothbay Harbor? no
15. Would you be caught dead in an RV? yes
16. Would you be caught dead on a cruise ship? I don't know
17. Have you ever heard of of Branson, Mo? yes
18. Have you ever attended a meeting of a Kiwanis Club? I played for a junior hockey team sponsored by one when I was like 8, does that count?
19. How about the Rotary Club? yes, when I tried to be an exchange student and they rejected me for being too old
20. Have you lived for at least a year in a small town? too many years
21. Have you lived for a year in an urban neighborhood in which most of your neighbors did not have college degrees? yes, I do right now
22. Have you spent at least a year with a family income less than twice the poverty line? yes
23. Do you have a close friend who is an evangelical Christian? sort of
24. Have you ever visited a factory floor? yes
25. Have you worked on one? no

questions on this list that are stupid: all the 'hold forth animatedly' ones -- wtf kind of phrasing is that? interesting vacations? talking endlessly about books? of course no one can do that, they will die. god I hate this shit.

17. Have you ever heard of of Branson, Mo?
Didn't he finance 'Tubular Bells'?

:)

This is all ressentiment 101, here.