How Thick Is Your Bubble?
In his forthcoming book, Coming Apart, The State of White America, 1960–2010, Charles Murray writes about the perils of the upper-class elite setting policy that affects regular Americans, with whom these elites have little to nothing in common. Because their bubble is so thick, the elites are vulnerable to making huge policy mistakes, despite their best intentions.
To help you determine how thick your bubble is, Murray has produced a quiz whose score will place you into one of the following categories:
- A lifelong resident of a working-class neighborhood with average television and moviegoing habits. Range: 48–99. Typical: 77.
- A first-generation middle-class person with working-class parents and average television and moviegoing habits. Range: 42–100. Typical: 66.
- A first-generation upper-middle-class person with middle-class parents. Range: 11–80. Typical: 33.
- A second- generation (or more) upper-middle-class person who has made a point of getting out a lot. Range: 0–43. Typical: 9.
- A second- generation (or more) upper-middle-class person with the tele- vision and moviegoing habits of the upper middle class. Range: 0–20.Typical: 2.
Three of the Young Guns crew have thus far taken the quiz, and I was shocked to discover that with my score of 26, I have the biggest bubble. When I protested to the group that Californians need a separate quiz, Meghan Clyne responded, "No, I think that's the point--to live in California (at least, northern California) is to have separated oneself from the mainstream of the rest of the country." Touché.
Take the quiz here (questions begin on page 103), and report back with your score.
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Comments:
May '11
Re: How Thick Is Your Bubble?
61, and an atypical 1st gen upper middle class from middle class parents, who didn't make enough scratch to be middle class until well into their 40's. But we weren't poor, just didn't have any money. Gave myself half credit for small-town living, for spending every summer and winter vacation with my Texas grandmother in a town of 2400, and having a mom who was very much a small-town girl. Physical jobs and factory work helped finance law school, and we don't watch much TV or eat at chain restaurants. Does Miller Genuine Draft count? Working as criminal prosecutor tends to destroy bubbles, as there's so much contact with witnesses and parties from every community and walk of life.
Jan '12
Re: How Thick Is Your Bubble?
82, just what you would expect from raising cattle for a living, and having been raised by generations of ranchers. I guess what is so odd about this question about an "elite bubble", is that I often feel that I'm living in a bubble of my own out here. If it wasn't for the radio in the pickup, or the internet (no TV reception, so I couldn't break 90), it just as well be 1950. Life here moves with the seasons, and the weather is the biggest element (pun intended), in our lives. Most of my days are spent horseback, moving cattle, checking on cattle, roping them to doctor an illness or injury. As you can tell, it's easy to get into a bubble that excludes the rest of the country and it's concerns. I guess that's why I joined Ricochet, so I can see how other folks think.
Aug '10
Re: How Thick Is Your Bubble?
Most definitely, yes.
Sep '11
Re: How Thick Is Your Bubble?
49, but I'm not sure how to interpret the score, given the scaling. Does that make me more in a bubble, or less? How much?
Given ranges like 11-80 doesn't give me much confidence that I'm learning more about my upper middle class upbringing, my elite colleges, my friends, or myself. The number is not self-interpreting.
Apr '11
Re: How Thick Is Your Bubble?
Bubble score for me is 50
Interesting test. I've lived in small communities outside of the U.S. only, so wasn't able to pick up those points. I do stock my fridge with beer, but it isn't mainstream stuff you can buy outside of the PNW. Dad wasn't a professional or a management guy ... just an Entrepreneur importing fossils and minerals from Africa.