considering the renaissance was when our civilization pulled itself out of the dark ages, when we were ruled by religious dogma and the people were subjugated through forced ignorance...

i dunno, i kinda think we could use more people studying the renaissance.

plus, practically everyone is naked in the art. who doesn't like looking at naked people?

Understanding Renaissance art does not make one "elitist." Thinking that your understanding of Renaissance art in and of itself makes you a superior person makes one an "elitist."

+1 subby

Who knew that studying crappy old paintings could be so expensive?

In other news, Donatello could have wiped his ass on a piece of canvas and people nowadays would be calling it "magnificent".

ndotseth: In other news, Donatello could have wiped his ass on a piece of canvas and people nowadays would be calling it "magnificent".

donatello was mostly a sculptor. your ignorance is showing (when is is not?)

burndtdan: donatello was mostly a sculptor. your ignorance is showing (when is is not?)

ELITITSTST!!1!

sigdiamond2000: ELITITSTST!!1!

giggity

Nestea Plunge: Well that's why the paint by numbers Elvis portraits sell so well to your associates.

To the discriminating collector, the finest Elvis paintings are done on black velvet. Of course, I wouldn't expect uncultured rubes to know the difference.

Nabb1: To the discriminating collector, the finest Elvis paintings are done on black velvet. Of course, I wouldn't expect uncultured rubes to know the difference.

I heard a report on NPR the other morning about a velvet painting museum. I don't remember where it was, but I'd like to go. Apparently the Jesus portraits outnumber the Elvis ones.

Pocket Ninja: Nabb1: To the discriminating collector, the finest Elvis paintings are done on black velvet. Of course, I wouldn't expect uncultured rubes to know the difference.

I heard a report on NPR the other morning about a velvet painting museum. I don't remember where it was, but I'd like to go. Apparently the Jesus portraits outnumber the Elvis ones.

the solution:

I doubt the Elitists could recite the dialog from Caddyshack or The Blues Brothers or recognize the genius of a guitar solo by Jimi Hendrix or Frank Zappa.

\us rubes ARE the culture of this great country.

burndtdan: Pocket Ninja: Nabb1: To the discriminating collector, the finest Elvis paintings are done on black velvet. Of course, I wouldn't expect uncultured rubes to know the difference.

I heard a report on NPR the other morning about a velvet painting museum. I don't remember where it was, but I'd like to go. Apparently the Jesus portraits outnumber the Elvis ones.

the solution:

That needs to be in the Louvre.

Throughout the presidential campaign, Democratic front-runner Barack Obama has endured charges of being an elite, thanks in part to the fact that he graduated from Columbia University and Harvard Law School


As opposed to our last three presidents who went to Yale, Harvard, Oxford and Georgetown?

It was hard back in the day because they all had red bandannas.

ndotseth: Who knew that studying crappy old paintings could be so expensive?

In other news, Donatello could have wiped his ass on a piece of canvas and people nowadays would be calling it "magnificent".

That is the stupidest farking troll I've ever read.

As an artist, me thinks we could use a healthy dose of art education. It would expand our minds and raise our intellegence in understanding how meida works on the mind.

My roomate is stuck on the idea that art has to be beautiful and astetically pleasing.

HulkHands: It was hard back in the day because they all had red bandannas.

Different weapons. Duh.

Coffee out my nose on that headline.
Good Show Sir!

/I have a 4 year old so ninja turtles are all too present in my life.

GurneyHalleck: I doubt the Elitists could recite the dialog from Caddyshack or The Blues Brothers or recognize the genius of a guitar solo by Jimi Hendrix or Frank Zappa.

\us rubes ARE the culture of this great country.

Why can't someone appreaciate both?

The "elitist" debate is the stupidest phenomenon in American political discourse, hands down.

The fact that there are people out there who think that a President of the United States having a college education is a liability is mind-bogglingly stupid.

I mean seriously, do you think people just materialize ready to effectively carry out the duties of elected office? People that do this should stop by their doctor's office to tell them how "elitist" they are, and then seek surgery from a person selected at random, who didn't sully themselves with expensive medical school.

God forbid we judge a candidate's suitability for the middle and lower classes by their policies and their effects. If we did that, we wouldn't be able to allow people who have enacted policies that have repeatedly screwed anyone who isn't wealthy or powerful to throw around accusations about how "out of touch" a candidate is because of his fancy book learnin'. Christ almighty.

Cagey B: I mean seriously, do you think people just materialize ready to effectively carry out the duties of elected office? People that do this should stop by their doctor's office to tell them how "elitist" they are, and then seek surgery from a person selected at random, who didn't sully themselves with expensive medical school.

i get all my surgery done out of the back of a van, like all good americans.

burndtdan: i get all my surgery done out of the back of a van, like all good americans.

As soon as I perfect my gall bladder removal technique, I'll be ready to open my own van. I just need to find a couple more hobos.

Just remember:

Leonardo leads

Donatello does machines

Raphael is cool but crude

Michaelangelo is a party dude

/bravo, subby

Elitist = Trying to raise one's level of thinking beyond choosing one's favorite American Gladiator

xkcd clearly needed.

Ivy League is elitist if you went there on legacy. Otherwise you're really no different than any other schlub other than a fancy name on your degree.

Cagey B: The "elitist" debate is the stupidest phenomenon in American political discourse, hands down.

Elitist.

I'd say in modern America, both Renaissance art and TMNT are important things to know a little about.

/Raph was my fave
//Eastman and Laird Raph, not the Archie Comics BS
///Titian, if were talking art

I love how this charge is coming from supporters of an Andover/Yale grad born with a silver spoon up his butt.

Knowing stuff is elitist. Y'alls aren't better than me.

*farts*

What's wrong with being elitist? Stupid people suck.

Could somebody please give me a non-sarcastic definition of the word "Elitist?"

Maybe then I will understand why it's supposed to be a bad thing.


_{/I'm pretty certain that intelligence, education, and nuanced views on complex issues are GOOD things.}

For the last time -- there is nothing wrong with being an educated person.

Yeah, we all know how much college kids hate Jimi Hendrix.

Edsel: For the last time -- there is nothing wrong with being an educated person.

Being educated does not make you an elitist.

Riche: Could somebody please give me a non-sarcastic definition of the word "Elitist?"

Someone what thinks he's better'n you and makes you look bad in front of yer old lady.

Does that help?

The Ivy League is not elite in the intellectual sense, particularly Harvard. It isn't even the best school in the area. They like to foster this image of being "elitist eggheads" when actually an education from most of those schools is probably the worst value you can get for the exorbitant tuition they charge compared to the practical and theoretical knowledge gained by students for their respective fields.

Edsel: For the last time -- there is nothing wrong with being an educated person.

For some reason, uneducated people disagree with that.

Thinking that people are religious because they are bitter makes you elitist

Riche: Could somebody please give me a non-sarcastic definition of the word "Elitist?"

Maybe then I will understand why it's supposed to be a bad thing..

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
e·lit·ism or é·lit·ism Audio Help (ĭ-lē'tĭz'əm, ā-lē'-) Pronunciation Key
n.
The belief that certain persons or members of certain classes or groups deserve favored treatment by virtue of their perceived superiority, as in intellect, social status, or financial resources.
The sense of entitlement enjoyed by such a group or class.
Control, rule, or domination by such a group or class.

So, in closing: being elite is good, being an elitist is bad. Being a Navy SEAL is good; thinking that only Navy SEALS should be involved in military decision making- not so good.

Obama is elite. Not an elitist.

funmonger: I'd say in modern America, both Renaissance art and TMNT are important things to know a little about.

/Raph was my fave
//Eastman and Laird Raph, not the Archie Comics BS
///Titian, if were talking art

I love Titian too, but he painted his women with what looks like a few extra vertebrae.
Still, much better than Michaelangelo, who made women that looked like male wrestlers with bad implants.

"I'd rather entrust the government of the United States to the first 400 people listed in the Boston telephone directory than to the faculty of Harvard University."
William F. Buckley

Riche: Could somebody please give me a non-sarcastic definition of the word "Elitist?"

Someone who hasn't seen The Jerk with Steve Martin at least three times.

Hang On Voltaire: Edsel: For the last time -- there is nothing wrong with being an educated person.

Being educated does not make you an elitist.

Of course not. But the perception of what counts as "elitism" is shockingly broad among certain segments of the population.

Hang On Voltaire: Thinking that people are religious because they are bitter makes you elitist

Or mentioning arugula to arugula farmers. That's elitist too.

Edsel: Of course not. But the perception of what counts as "elitism" is shockingly broad among certain segments of the population.

Or shockingly misunderstood

Hang On Voltaire: Thinking that people are religious because they are bitter makes you elitist

Contrariwise, thinking that only human adults of the opposite sex have the right to be married is "folksy".

Hang On Voltaire: Thinking that people are religious because they are bitter makes you elitist

However, thinking that people are insular, angry, xenophobic and reactionary because they feel like their demographic has been marginalized makes you correct.