hurray for the status quo

[wanton_heat_jet]

The political opponents of ev psych accuse its proponents (e.g., me) of wickedly supporting the "status quo."  This accusation is bizarre, but I know where they're coming from. I remember being a young man impatient with society's imperfections and hostile to the "establishment." But over the last 20 to 25 years I've acquired a different

Comments

And...

[anonymous]

We make this progress because of people (like the younger you) being hostile to society's imperfections and hostile to the "establishment". We can't all be that way all of the time, nor should we be. Also, with maturity and time come perks that tie one to the "establishment". But we need those young firebrands too, or the progress stops.

Re: And...

[wanton_heat_jet]

I can accept your observation as an insightful and deserved chiding. How self-indulgent of me. My optimism certainly depends on the hope and energy of liberals across the planet, and young firebrands contribute to the cause. That's the funny thing about the people that hate me is that I sympathize with them politically, even as I wish they were less political about science.

I beg to differ, however, on the idea that perks tie one to the establishment. It's more the desire for perks that ties one to the establishment. The most racist whites aren't the ones for whom white racism has done the most (e.g., successful whites, like me). The most racist whites are the ones for whom white racism has done the least, disenfranchised whites. They display their racial identity as a badge of superiority. Successful whites don't need racism because we have our perks to show our status and keep us comfortable. It's Joe the Plumber, the guy who wishes he were rich, who has his heart most devoted to the establishment.