as picasso once said,

“We all know that Art is not truth. Art is a lie that makes us realize truth; at least the truth that is given us to understand. The artist must know the manner whereby to convince others of the truthfulness of his lies.”

JL

first, speaking as a career educator i must acknowledge that i'm completely and irrevocably biased.

yes, on the one hand it's true that it's easier for the "educated" to couch their own bias and self-interest in perceived expertise or intelligence. It's also easy for those who shared the same university experience to become caught in group-think, as those "in the know" fail to challenge the axioms underlying their consensus. case in point, many university communities support the BDS movement against israel nearly without dissent, but are completely misinformed on the roots of the conflict, the way it unfolded and the most likely impact of their actions on the middle east.

however, in spite of all that can go wrong, people who are more educated generally do know more and have more experience in critical thinking than those who aren't. The educated tend to be more likely to have heard relevant information and more able to apply it accurately to a situation. The educated are less likely to fall into traps of logical fallacy, and more likely to notice and accept those occasions on which they do.

in my view, there needs to be a balance between on the one hand respecting the fact that education makes one more likely to be informed and correct, and on the other hand making sure all the critical thinking we learn at university is turned inward as well as outward.

RE: moderators actually moderating

personally i think the timing aspect of moderating debates should be automated. when your time runs out, your mike turns off, and the questioner is prompted to ask follow-ups. no complaints, no excuses.

JL

"Educated v less educated may be even more toxic than rich v poor, because it comes laden with assumptions of moral superiority. These days the rich find it quite hard to get away with the presumption that their wealth is proof of their virtue. When they seek protection from the system, it is pretty clear what they are up to: they are looking after their interests. But when the educated look out for themselves they can dress it up as something ostensibly better than that: expertise."

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/oct/05/trump-brexit-education-gap-tearing-politics-apart?CMP=fb_gu

Most likely... The path of least resistance usually is.. :D

Michale

I think listening to Google is easier. :P

Yea... Gods forbid you should actually THINK for yerself.. :^/

Michale

"Whip out that Mexican thing" is now a thing...but not all it could be...or should be.

These are shards of lyrics that desperately need to be fleshed out and set to music. This could go in so many directions, thing rhyming with, well, so many things.

spring, sing, ding, king, fling, bring, ring, ping, bling, cling, sling, wing, wring ting and don't forget zing.

Light Opera, Heavy Opera, Klingon Opera. Broadway show tune, rap, rock, barbershop quartet.

"Oh darling I knew you were king,
When you whipped out that Mexican thing."

http://www.mrctv.org/blog/watch-cbs-moderator-repeatedly-attack-pence-vp-debate

She spent her time attacking the GOP, Trump and Pence...

Ya know, there was a time here when the WPG had at least a SEMBLANCE of fairness and bi-partisanship..

Those days are apparently gone forever.. :^/

Michale

Actually, a testament to the dishonesty, gullibility and downright stoopid-ness of the Left Wingery...

"I can see Russia from my house"

"I can't breathe"

"Hands up, don't shoot"

All complete and utter bullshit, courtesy of the Left Wingery...

Michale

“How is it that the dudes lucked out and got chairs over the last 20 years of VP debates minus one?”

The Fox babe resents having been forced to stand for 90 minutes in heels.

You remind me of the old joke about shoveling horsepoop: "there's just got to be a pony in here somewhere!"

Kick [2] -

Well, why wouldn't they? It wasn't like the debate itself would ever change their minds. Bet they called last Monday for Trump, too!

Heh.

:-)

chaszzzbrown [4] -

No, I think Douglas won the night...

Heh.

TheStig [11] -

Yeah, I'm with you. Google "Samuel Jackson debate moderator photo" to see an image my wife thought would be the perfect solution... heh.

TheStig [15] -

Dunno about best (there've only been two debates), but she did keep the subject flow moving along, I'll give her that. Still, Sam Jackson gets my vote...

TheStig [22] -

Agree.

For everyone --

Overall, here's my take on tonight:

Mike Pence spent tonight warming up his 2020 presidential campaign. By that measure, he did pretty good. He refused to defend the undefensable, which will cost him with the fact-checkers tomorrow morning. But he showed he is head and shoulders above Trump when it comes to being a candidate of a major party and debating (ie., finishing sentences).

Tim Kaine spent tonight trying to tie Pence to Trump. He largely succeeded on this front, but didn't impress otherwise.

The MSM seems to have come to the conclusion that "Kaine won on points, Pence won on style." Dunno if I'd agree with that, personally.

I think most of the debate was a draw, but that reflects my own boredom with these two guys. I did think Kaine clearly won the last 15 minutes, hands down. Starting at about when he said "you've ignored my list 6 times now" and working forward from that point. Kaine was in command, Pence was back on his heels.

But, overall, I don't think tonight will change many minds, one way or another.

For what it's worth, that's the impression I got.

-CW

Undoubtedly, Pence just bumped Ted Cruz out of the role of darling of the religious right. That could shore up Trump's support among that group.

Pence decided to counter the perception that Trump is too pro-Putin by essentially threatening to go right to war against Russia in Syria. Ironic, since the question was, 'is America safer with Trump as President?' The answer is clearly no.

Best exchange of the evening was about abortion, where each participant was clearly speaking to core beliefs. Again Pence denied that Trump has suggested legal sanction against women, which will allow the networks to replay Trump's noxious comments on that topic during the primary.

No memorable lines from this debate, perhaps SNL can provide one.

Awaiting talkiing heads.

Get him, mod!

Moderator moderates! I am shocked! Shocked!

Kaine is getting the better of Pence.

This looks to git nasty.

Alas Poor Dewey, the "little man on the wedding cake." Always the bridesmaid but never the bride. :)

Personally, I thought Dewey won hands down.

Watching the debate here..

http://www.democracynow.org/live/expanding_the_debate_october_4th_vice

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2016/10/04/republican-national-committee-mike-pence-debate-winner/91576394/