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.
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Comments:
Oct '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #110: I'm A 13
I don't care much for popular culture, movies or sports, but southern-born-and-bred saved my score from being in the really embarrassing range. 51.
May '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #110: I'm A 13
I scored a 32, but I wouldn't consider myself upper middle-class by any stretch. And since when was "college professor" grouped with prestige professions? Maybe if you are at a prestigious university, but my dad was a professor at a small liberal arts college, and we were broke. My mom was a Master's prepared nurse, and she made more. I think Murray is leaving out an important segment: the highly-educated poor.
I love Hot Springs! Used to go there with friends for a spa weekend when I was in college in Searcy (extra points if you know where that is!) Loved the Arlington Hotel.
Apr '11
Re: Ricochet Podcast #110: I'm A 13
My score is 67.
From Diane's thread "How Thick is Your Bubble?" - 1/27/12
Dec '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #110: I'm A 13
You da man!
May '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #110: I'm A 13
Dr. Murray explained in a tweet that Belmont is one of the towns in his book because it's where the book's co-author lives*; he didn't respond when I asked he had considered calling the book The Belmont Curve
*It's also Mitt Romney's home town...
May '11
Re: Ricochet Podcast #110: I'm A 13
The weird thing is I have a college degree, am married to a surgeon and live in one of Dr. Murray's super zips. I also grew up in a large extended family that would make Jeff Foxworthy feel sophisticated. Anyone else have family that "shows cows" as a hobby?
Jerry Broaddus
You da man! · 1 hour ago
Apr '11
Re: Ricochet Podcast #110: I'm A 13
@emoryking. In my town we show cows, but we also show pigs, goats, sheep and rabbits. I love FFA. My score was 52.
It probably would have been higher if I had cable and if milking cows could be considered a factory job.
I think regarding the hunting vs fishing question, it speaks to the requirement of patience and surrender of control when you have to try to entice and animal with bait. Similar to factory labor vs farming, you surrender a certain amount of control when you take a factory job whereas farming is not so rigourously scheduled.
Edited on March 15, 2012 at 12:48amFeb '12
Re: Ricochet Podcast #110: I'm A 13
I scored a 34. College degree, getting graduate degree, former military. My score would have been much lower had I not served, obviously. I do thank God that I did serve though, or else I would be completely out of touch, rather than being mostly out of touch.
I enjoyed the material about men and their portrayal in popular culture. We haven't had a positively portrayed patriarch on TV in a good while it seems.
Dec '11
Re: Ricochet Podcast #110: I'm A 13
Did anyone else notice that Charles Murray has similar speech patterns to Mitt Romney?
Dec '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #110: I'm A 13
55. Most points come from having grown up in a modest home and modest community. Got the Jimmie Johnson thing wrong. Not much of a movie goer so missed out on most of those. But I was the proud owner of a pickup for 5 years (he didn't say I had to deduct points for it being a Toyota).
Dec '11
Re: Ricochet Podcast #110: I'm A 13
I only got a 77 because I dont watch mainstream TV, and my entertainment tastes tend to Nerd/Geek which transcendes most class boundaries. I am out of the mainstream as far as movies/tv.
Edited on March 15, 2012 at 2:53amMay '11
Re: Ricochet Podcast #110: I'm A 13
I scored 68 but I miss many points because I'm Canadian and living in Japan.
Nov '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #110: I'm A 13
Can I just say...after scoring three questions I'm higher than Rob...
I'm a 79. Redneck hillbilly sumgun. I don't think of myself that way...but I guess thats what I am!
Edited on March 15, 2012 at 3:24amJul '11
Re: Ricochet Podcast #110: I'm A 13
81 and holding. I think I need to get a bubble so I fit in around here.
Nov '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #110: I'm A 13
"Score full points if you wheel your Jeep or you know how to use a winch."
May '11
Re: Ricochet Podcast #110: I'm A 13
Only scored 30, but think I deserve more points for having been a teacher's union rep, and for changing the head gasket of a '73 Ford Maverick on the street in front of my house.
Apr '11
Re: Ricochet Podcast #110: I'm A 13
44 and I was quite stingy in giving myself points.
Working class upbringing.
Oddly, not having a TV for 10 years knocked me down. Without a TV you are clueless about current movies and so I don't see many of those either.
Oct '11
Re: Ricochet Podcast #110: I'm A 13
29 - and that includes all the ex-military bonus points.
Nov '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #110: I'm A 13
71
Nov '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #110: I'm A 13
"Subtract 20 points from your overall score if you've ever been involved in a teachers union. Add as many points as you think it's worth if you know what a head gasket is."