Ricochet Podcast #110: I'm A 13
The title refers to the quiz included in Dr. Charles Murray's new book, Coming Apart: The State of White America, 1960 – 2010. One of our hosts scored so low that we had to book Dr. Murray to come on and personally berate him (The quiz is here. Take it and give us your score in the comments). We'll let you guess who this outlier actually is. Later, the WSJ's James Taranto on politics, parsing Obama's approval numbers, Rush, and the best place to buy a cigar in Manhattan. Finally, the "Ricochet Podcast Member Post of the Week" is back and Matthew Gilley, come on down! You're our first winner for your post A Little South in Mitt's Mouth. Congrats and we'll be in touch.
Music from this week's episode:
- This Is Why We Fight by The Decemberists
- Small Town by John Mellencamp
Here's the direct link to this week's episode (but use our new audio player below), however the best way to hear the podcast is to subscribe! Visit our Feedburner page for a number of other subscription options. Or better yet, use Stitcher.
Actual, un-retouched photo of Rob Long by EJHill.
The Ricochet Podcast is proudly sponsored by Encounter Books. This week's featured title is The Case for Polarized Politics: Why America Needs Social Conservatism by Jeffrey Bell. Coming soon to EncounterBooks.com and Amazon.com.
- Comment (97)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (1)
Comments:
Aug '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #110: I'm A 13
I think mine was an 87 - we (the members of the regular Ricochetariat - or is that Rico-tariat?) all took the quiz in January.
Edited on March 14, 2012 at 8:02pmJun '11
Re: Ricochet Podcast #110: I'm A 13
59 . I hardly ever go to movies or watch popular television, so I missed a few points late.
May '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #110: I'm A 13
I range between 21-27 depending on whether I am observing the letter or spirit of the questions. Diane ran us through our paces on this in January. I am guessing the 13 is not Rob as he is the obvious choice and prides himself on his extra-bubble activities. My bet's on Peter.
Edited on March 14, 2012 at 8:35pmJun '11
Re: Ricochet Podcast #110: I'm A 13
Bubble Score? 54!
Re: Ricochet Podcast #110: I'm A 13
I scored 49. The college professor in me pulled me in the low direction. But the fact that I grew up in Hot Springs, Arkansas pulled me in the high direction. (Not only is it a small, blue-collar town, it's only a half day's drive from Branson.) Bill Clinton grew up in the same town. I bet he'd score about the same. I bet Obama would score about half as high as Clinton. Great post. Thanks, Rob!
Feb '11
Re: Ricochet Podcast #110: I'm A 13
I range from 40 - 47, depending upon whether scoring by the letter or spirit of the question. But my score is probably skewed due to living in a country house in a very rural town, also by Boy Scouts and knowing the military.
Edited on March 14, 2012 at 8:58pmDec '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #110: I'm A 13
I score 47 by the letter of the questions. I didn't see any way the stated scoring rules permitted any fudging based on spirit.
Re: Ricochet Podcast #110: I'm A 13
In the spirit of full disclosure, I scored a hapless 28.
Mar '11
Re: Ricochet Podcast #110: I'm A 13
I overtook Rob with the first two questions but did very little to pull away: 34
Apr '11
Re: Ricochet Podcast #110: I'm A 13
59 here, but i had to substitute the rural-ish British Columbian town I grew up in for the where you grew up part of the quiz. I'm surprised handling or owning firearms wasn't on the list.
Edited on March 14, 2012 at 9:42pmMay '11
Re: Ricochet Podcast #110: I'm A 13
48 but I still choose to indentify with upper class snobs.
Feb '12
Re: Ricochet Podcast #110: I'm A 13
Illuminating test!
I was thinking I would be respectable around these parts by scoring a 23, but it turns out I'm among the most bubble-bound.
Apr '11
Re: Ricochet Podcast #110: I'm A 13
Wait, they let Rob get away without asking him about the male characters on his new show? At least Charles Murray laid a little responsibility on his doorstep. My bubble score is 42.
Jul '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #110: I'm A 13
A 64, but my loyalty to Jeeps and Guinness dinged me on questions 13 and 14.
Jan '12
Re: Ricochet Podcast #110: I'm A 13
Score was 48: Dad was an engineer and had the only degree within pistol shot of our house. Mom was a housewife. Life revolved around church, school, and ballpark. Mostly the ballpark. Throw in deer hunting, fishing, and camping and you have a not untypical southern upbringing. Everybody, including myself, made money from some sort of physical labor, but most, though not all, eventually graduated from college and some earned advanced degrees.
Egads, wife just scored 22. Does this mean I married up? She is the very conservative daughter of a retired and very liberal (despite having been an academic colleague of Newt) college professor. She grew up in a college town and most of her neighbors had college degrees.
Edited on March 16, 2012 at 9:11pmFeb '12
Re: Ricochet Podcast #110: I'm A 13
That was a disappointing surprise. Perhaps Murray has reason to think that fishing says more about your bubble-ness than hunting/target shooting, but I doubt it.
Do you ever shoot or hunt? Yes. Do you own a gun? Yes. Do you own more than three guns? Yes. Do you plan to buy more guns in the next year? Yes. Do you pay annual dues to belong to gun-rights groups or shooting/hunting clubs? Yes. Do you worry more than once a week that you don't have enough ammunition socked away? Yes. Have you read a survivalist/emergency book in the last year? Yes. Have you taken significant steps in the last six months to prepare for major disaster? Yes. Have you worked with others to do so? Yes.
Add five points for every yes answer.
My score is now 68. Phew!
Dec '11
Re: Ricochet Podcast #110: I'm A 13
Well, 70 for me...Of course the military career pumps that up a bit. Oh yeah, I almost forgot...so does the beer, :)
Jun '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #110: I'm A 13
60, baby!
I rocket into the stratosphere if following Leporello's formula.
Jan '11
Re: Ricochet Podcast #110: I'm A 13
49 - I think military service served to overcome the upper middle class upbringing and aversion to cheap beer.
May '11
Re: Ricochet Podcast #110: I'm A 13
I took it again and still got an 84.