Monday, March 15, 2010

Scary Stuff

Click the link, http://www.quantcast.com/glennbeck.com, for a chart from something called quantcast. I went surfing looking for validation of my unsupported opinion that Glenn Beck would have an audience of minimally educated, low income people.

While the figures are for his website, I would assume they should be roughly valid for his TV show. As you can see, 70% of his audience has some college and/or grad school. 58% make at least $60K a year. Read the chart for the rest of the horror.

To hold to my beliefs, it is necessary to conclude: Women are smarter than men. White people are dumb whether or not they have an education or make good money. The older they get, the dumber they get. We need more kids born.

19 comments:

Sonja's Mom said...

Yes - this is scary. But judging from friends I have that listen and watch him daily, these stats are correct. Alarming, but correct. I often wonder how seemingly, well educated people can be so ignorant.

vivalacrap said...

I googled it the other day and found out that Glenn Beck does not have a college degree. I have been laughing ever since because its just so WRONG that he influences anyone. I hope he doesn't procreate.

Posol'stvo the Medved said...

I've never watched/listened to Glenn Beck, so maybe I'm not qualified to comment, but I presume that he has a conservative agenda. If true, this doesn't surprise me in the least. The "haves" in this country espousing a social order that preserves their "have-ness" while presenting barriers to anyone else joining the "haves"? Perish the thought.

Next thing you'll be telling me about the fellow who was finally let into the exclusive country club, just in time to vote not to let his neighbor in.

Dave said...

I have to hope that Beck has the same appeal as Jerry Springer, train wreck watching. I've seen him only in YouTube type snippets which were enough.

Hi Viva, may I call you Viva?

J said...

Amazing that so many folks have opinion on Beck even though they admit not watching him. The conclusion is those people are basing an opinion upon interpretation of others who likely have a subjective reason for not liking him.

As for the absolute elitist arrogance of comment such as "I often wonder how seemingly, well educated people can be so ignorant." I'll leave it at that.

Viva - Bill Gates didn't get his college degree until a couple of years ago. I didn't realize Microsoft was such a loser 'til then.

Dave said...

I've had a sufficient sampling I think J. He's a very popular goofball.

As an aside, knowing you, I can't really believe you are much of a Beck fan other than of the train wreck variety.

Dave said...

J, I can't resist saying that you and I are statistical candidates to join his fan base.

Sonja's Mom said...

Whoa - consider me slapped.

First: Glen Beck got his career start locally. I watch him and just finished reading one of his books so I am very familiar with him.

Second: How is it "elitist" to say that my well educated, friends (and family) are ignorant when they think that Beck "walks on water". They certainly know my opinion on the subject as we have many heated discussions on it. I don't think any entertainer,and that's what he is (he will tell you so himself), should be given God like status.

Dave said...

Your turn J.

J said...

The very fact that one doesn't recognize their own elitism proves that they are.

Deeming someone ignorant by virtue of them not agreeing with you is elitist.

J said...

I used the term "deem" because that seems to be a word the left has taken a liking to.

Dave said...

Got to say J, you didn't use your turn well:

You said “[a]mazing that so many folks have opinion on Beck even though they admit not watching him. The conclusion is those people are basing an opinion upon interpretation of others who likely have a subjective reason for not liking him.

As for the absolute elitist arrogance of comment such as "’I often wonder how seemingly, well educated people can be so ignorant.’ I'll leave it at that.’”

SM responded "Glen[n] Beck got his career start locally. I watch him and just finished reading one of his books so I am very familiar with him."

Your response, ignoring that her opinion is based on "face time" is to attack her for for disagreeing with her friends and family, and apparently you (say it ain't so, say you're poorly stirring the pudding) labeling her, incorrectly as an elitist. Yes, incorrectly.

Elitism (from the first Google source): "The belief that certain persons or members of certain classes or groups deserve favored treatment by virtue of their perceived."

SM seems to me to be attacking an elite group, educated people, or at least a number of them that she has argued with, wondering how they can possibly be attracted to Beck. She did neglect to write a sufficient number of paragraphs to demonstrate the validity of her conclusion. For that she gets a C- in persuasive writing, she is undeserving of castigation.

Further, your assumption that she bases her opinion of Beck on the subjective opinions of others is wholly unsupported by the facts in evidence and rebutted by her report of first hand exposure. I just threw that in to sound like a lawyer.

As to your last comment, the GOPpers used the deeming scam some 40 times in the last fifteen or so years.

Your turn again J. Tell me in cogent paragraphs why Beck isn't a buffoon.

Dave said...

I screwed up the interior quotes and am too lazy to go back and correct them. Proofread, proofread!

SonjaB said...

Dave...I don't know who Glenn Beck is and you probably know me well enough by know that I don't really care. Thank you however for standing up for my mom.

Dave said...

Hell, I missed part of the definition of elitism, following perceived it should conclude:

superiority, as in intellect, social status, or financial resources.

Not a problem Sonja, J's not a bad guy, he just shot from the hip. I've done the same on occasion.

J said...

Dave - Having friends you disagree with does not make them ignorant. I did not apply the first label - Sonja's Mom did. Later clarification of her personal experience with Beck helped to put her comments in context but she doubled down on the ignorant friends comment thus my elitist double down. I just imagine the conversations with her "seemingly well educated" friends (although they were promoted to actually well educated in the second post)- "YOU'RE IGNORANT - NO YOU'RE IGNORANT" etc etc.

I am a Bill Bennett fan type - not a Beck fan type so I am not here to defend him. My only point it to understand if criticism is based on first hand knowledge or just Ariana Huffington talking points. - I do struggle with the characterization that he makes his arguments devoid of facts and logic. Perhaps some examples would help. I don't see it but that must be because I am one of the 60+% of the population that is not a liberal.

He is often accused by the Chicago crowd in the White House of being inaccurate. It was a stroke of genius on his part to install the "red phone" so they could call him on his inaccuracies live during the show. No calls from the White House. Perhaps they don't watch either and rely on Ariana for talking points as well.

Dave said...

J, I'm not vouching for the absolute accuracy of all of the quotes to be found in the link; but, I do remember some being reported. There's a little wacko running as a theme in them.

http://politicalhumor.about.com/b/2009/10/28/the-10-craziest-glenn-beck-quotes-of-all-time.htm

j said...

I have no particular individual beef with anyone participating in this blog and not intending to offend or insult any individual. Comments deemed to the contrary are for illustration purposes only.

j said...

Have you googled your president's and vice president's comments for wackiness? POTUS says the healthcare bill Louisiana special treatment could apply to any state that had a disaster (ie 100% of counties a disaster area) . Did't Hawaii have a big earthquate lately? Oh and company paid insurance premiums will go down by 3000% percent - enough that they'll be able to give you a raise.