[SoSoRoCoCo]

> Smart people command more value than dumb people

Completely disagree. This is one of the biggest lies being forced by the higher castes in the US. "Smart" is subjective, "value" is subjective.

Let's be honest: this statement only true because a certain class of people want it to be true. I value k-12 education in my world view more than I value derivitaves traders: in my ideal world teaching would be a high-paying competitive field and Black-Scholes would mean absolutely nothing.

But I can't tell if you don't realize the world we live in is what me we make it, or if you just accept what you are told the world "should be" because you're benefiting from the system and are scared to make it equitable.

[batt4good]

"smart" in terms of navigating society and understanding where value is. What things are worth learning vs not learning, what kinds of skills are worth taking risks for etc. "smart" in terms of just having a degree and believing that being credentialed = intelligence is completely orthogonal to the point I intended.

A stupid person will fall for get rich quick schemes. A stupid person will believe grinding it out at a job they hate will eventually lead to something better. A stupid person will lack the will to try hard enough to better themselves.

[SoSoRoCoCo]

It would have helped if you had actually explained your terms, since you made up your own definitions we don't have a common understanding.

The real question is, of course: are you ever "stupid"?

And what I mean by that is you set out a very black/white view of who is worthy and who isn't, and I bet dollars to donuts you don't live up to your own standards because that's where black/white thinking leads. It helps everyone to not think in such subjective, judgemental, and largely pejorative terms. I think the world would be better served if we started from the position "everyone has value."