Hehehehe..It's pronounced "nu-kyou-lar", dummy. The "s" is silent

Ah, to start my first topical post with a Family Guy reference... God bless you, Peter Griffin! But, anyway, I digress... I just want to go on record right off the bat as airing out my beef/pet peeve against anti-intellectualism. It's something that's always bothered me. Not to mention confounded me. Why do a lot of people attack, dimiss, or mistrust those who seem (or are) more intelligent than they? Are the well-educated and articulate a bunch of subversives or what? It's just not logical. I know there are plenty of theories and explanations (jealousy, narrow-mindedness, fear, inferiority complex, etc.), but still... I've always admired smart people, to a point (when they get arrogant, elitist and full of themselves, I start to lose respect). We should aspire to be more like such people, follow their example as much as possible - not ridicule or marginalize them. Now, I know I'm a reasonably intelligent guy, but I'm humble enough to realize that there are lots of people out there who are smarter than me. And I don't feel insecure or put off by it. That's why I value learning and knowledge so much, to strive to towards that goal of understanding and wisdom. It's why I started this blog. To quote Sir Francis Bacon, "Knowledge is power." (in more ways than one). Or Rabbi Hyman Krustofski (yay Simpsons!): "No one is poor except he [or she] who lacks knowledge." Unfortunately, it often seems that I'm increasingly in the minority these days. This anti-intellectual trend seems to be growing and becoming more and more pervasive. Yes, I'm talking to you, George Bush!! While I generally admire the USA and its citizenry, I sometime question the sanity and competence of the American electorate. Why do they continue to elect presidents solely based on his being "normal", "down to earth", "plain-spoken" etc. The leader is a reflection of the people and their will, I suppose (which is kinda scary at times). Still, if you ask me, I'd take an Adlai Stevenson, Eugene McCarthy or John Kerry (perhaps) over a Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan or George Bush any day! Heaven forbid smart people should be in charge, especially in charge of the world's most powerful country! Such a setup makes sense to me. Intelligence is nothing to hide or be ashamed of! But the teeming masses don't seem to agree... Anti-intellectualism permeates all levels of society nowadays. Today, terms like "egghead", "poindexter" and "liberal" are thrown around as insults with the same degree of venom and hatred as, say, "terrorist" or "communist". It's sad, really. It's like the Simpsons episode where Lisa thinks she's doomed by the family "stupidity" gene - that's so me at times. Now, granted, I'm the first to admit that I indulge in my own plebeian pleasures now and then. You may have noticed my affinity for Fox cartoon shows, for example. Not ashamed of that at all - I'm not one of those uber-intellectuals that disdain ALL forms of pop culture (yes, I know there's a certain irony in that statement...smartass! ;-) But I don't revel in it. I watch PBS, rent foreign films now and then, and reads books other than Harry Potter. I try to get a bit smarter every so often. Does that make me weird or unconventional? I hope so. I'd take it as a compliment.

Indeed, as I say in my profile, I'm an "unapologetic user of 'big words' and other esoteric jargon." I stand by that. I hope that standard will hold true in my blog as well. If you've got a problem with all 'dem fancy words 'n such, maybe this blog isn't the best place for you. If you don't understand a word or term I or someone else have used here at any point, look it up!! You might learn something! I have Dictionary.com down as one my links - avail yourself of the resource whenever necessary! I do all the time. Or, better yet, feel free to ask me! I'll happily define or explain concepts to those who want to know. There's no shame in not knowing something, as long as you try to correct and change that. Ignorance is a vice, not a virtue - don't perpetuate this regrettable trend any further, I implore you! We need to hold the line against the proverbial night, keep the barbarian hordes at bay. Rome shall not fall again...

Eggheads of the world, Unite!!! You have nothing to lose but your chains!!!