Vile smugness and condescension

C0-blogger CBD writes in part in the Ace of Spades blog,

One of the significant downsides to living in a metropolitan area is the vile smugness and condescension that is displayed on every street corner and at every cocktail party and brunch and casual conversation. The trivial fact that these pompous asses live in Park Slope rather than suburban Kansas City or Montana or Eastern Washington or West Virginia gives them the thoroughly ridiculous impression that they are superior...intellectually; socially, sexually, gastronomically, aesthetically...

It is elitism; pure and simple, and it is misplaced. As a thoroughly unscientific sample, my experience is that if you want to be snubbed and treated rudely and hear all sorts of jingoistic blather about pretty much every topic of import, then spend some time in the blue cities and their suburbs. But if you want to be treated kindly and with compassion and without reference to your skin color or religion or politics, then head to Middle America.

Being glib, or, if you prefer, articulate, is not an indicator of intelligence. Direct your attention to any one of 50 TV news pundits for proof. Being critical and dismissive of others is not an indicator of intelligence or sophistication. It is, however, a powerful indicator of being an asshole.

Read more here.