People Aren’t Smart Enough for Democracy to Flourish, Scientists Say

The democratic process relies on the assumption that citizens the majority of them, at least can recognize the best political candidate, or best policy idea, when they see it.

But a growing body of research has revealed an unfortunate aspect of the human psyche that would seem to disprove this notion, and imply instead that democratic elections produce mediocre leadership and policies.

The research, led by David Dunning, a psychologist at Cornell University, shows that incompetent people are inherently unable to judge the competence of other people, or the quality of those people’s ideas.

For example, if people lack expertise on tax reform, it is very difficult for them to identify the candidates who are actual experts. They simply lack the mental tools needed to make meaningful judgments.

As a result, no amount of information or facts about political candidates can override the inherent inability of many voters to accurately evaluate them.

The Forever Dog — Dog breeds were created by human beings. The village dog created itself

While a postdoc at Cornell University a few years ago, Adam Boyko became curious about the little-studied village vagrants. Though dogs were first domesticated 20,000 to 15,000 years ago, most breeds go back only a few hundred years.

Perhaps village dog DNA might shed light on the long, early history of domestication, when canines were hanging around humans yet not under our domain. But how to get samples?As it happened, around the same time Boyko’s brother Ryan had married, and he and wife Corin were looking for a cheap honeymoon off the beaten track. The three Boykos decided to merge their two quests.

Adam — now at Cornell’s College of Veterinary Medicine — obtained a grant, then enlisted Ryan and Corin to spend their honeymoon traveling around Egypt, Uganda, and Namibia, befriending villagers and local vets.

PACIFIC WRECKS…

 

December 7, 1941
December 2011 marks the beginning of 70th anniversary remembrances for the Pacific War. Look for ongoing day-by-day coverage of Pacific War happenings everyday on Pacific Wrecks.

2nd Lt. Ed Fitchett
Born in Poughkeepsie, NY Fitchett developed an interest in photography and movie cameras at a young age. After high school, he attended Cornell University, and served with the US Army in the Philippines. Postwar, he was the commander of a POW Camp in Manila, explored the Philippines and repatriated Japanese prisoners back to Taiwan, Korea and Japan.

Fitchett’s Color 16mm Footage
Fitchett recorded 16mm color films in the Philippines and Japan during 1945-1946. Transferred to DVD, his films are now available for the first time, including color footage of Philippine Independence on July 4, 1946.
[ Read Associated Press Article | Order Now ]

Liberalism is a Disroder – Antisocial personality traits

Antisocial personality traits predict utilitarian responses to moral dilemmas

A study conducted by Daniel Bartels, Columbia Business School, Marketing, and David Pizarro, Cornell University, Psychology found that people who endorse actions consistent with an ethic of utilitarianism—the view that what is the morally right thing to do is whatever produces the best overall consequences—tend to possess psychopathic and Machiavellian personality traits.

(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com …

via Liberalism is a Disroder – Antisocial personality traits.

Obama’s ineligibility: Congress is hopelessly corrupt and must be completely replaced in 2012

Obama’s ineligibility: Congress is hopelessly corrupt and must be completely replaced in 2012

Obama’s ineligibility:

Congress is hopelessly corrupt and must be completely replaced in 2012:

Our permanent political establishment hopes that, with the help of an obsequious mainstream media, the public will forget the politicians’ complicity in the greatest fraud ever perpetrated on the American people.

It is truly sad that some members of Congress, who citizens expect to possess higher standards of behavior, have been co-opted to participate in this deceit.

Col. Chris Gibson (Ret.) is serving his first term in the U.S. House of Representatives from the 20th District of New York.

Rep. Gibson retired from the U.S. Army in 2010 after having served four combat tours in Iraq and deployments to Haiti and Kosovo.

He received a Ph.D. in government from Cornell University and numerous medals and awards from his military service.

One could be mistaken for believing that Rep. Gibson is a knowledgeable, independent thinker and a man of integrity.

Unfortunately, Gibson appears to be just your run of the mill politician swapping out honesty for political expediency in exchange for the continued support of the Republican establishment and done at the expense of constituents’ legitimate concerns.

When citizens in his district questioned Obama’s eligibility for the Presidency, Gibson responded:……………..

MORE…..

Posted by Gunny G

via BLOGGER.GUNNY.G.1984+ NOW!: Obama’s ineligibility: Congress is hopelessly corrupt and must be completely replaced in 2012.

Does Col. Chris Gibson Know the Constitution?| The Post & Email

IF NOT, WHY IS HE IN CONGRESS?

contributed by constituents of Rep. Chris Gibson (NY-20)

Rep. Chris Gibson received a Ph.D. in government from Cornell University and numerous medals and awards from his military service

(Sep. 21, 2011) — Col. Chris Gibson (Ret.) is serving his first term in the U.S. House of Representatives from the 20th District of New York, which encompasses ten counties in the eastern/central region of New York State. Gibson campaigned against then-incumbent Scott Murphy (D) on a platform of fiscal discipline, opposition to socialized health care, and reviving the sagging U.S. economy.

As a result of the 2010 census and redistricting, New York will lose two seats in the House effective in 2013. New Jersey and Pennsylvania each lost one seat as a result of the census.

Rep. Gibson retired from the U.S. Army as a colonel in 2010 after having served four combat tours in Iraq and on deployments to Haiti and Kosovo. He has been a lifelong resident of the town of Kinderhook, which was settled by the Dutch in 1750 and established as a town in 1788. It was named after Mahican Indian children who were seen on the shores of the river by Henry Hudson, after whom the river was later named. Hudson was an English explorer whose trip was financed by the Dutch East India Company……….

MORE…..

via Does Col. Chris Gibson Know the Constitution?| The Post & Email.