Liz Truss

[Bodicoteblue]

This is something that I struggle with, as Truss does come across as being deeply stupid to me too, for the simple reason that she makes assertions which are self-evidently false or that can be subjected to a swift process of empirical trituration.

Having taught quite a number of sixth-formers who went on to study at Oxford, one thing that I can state quite unequivocally is that none of them, not one, would have come out with the kind of nonsense that she does. They were invariably of much higher calibre. They were also pretty well-rounded, could engage in highly sophisticated critical thinking, and were capable of empathy, of seeing the world from someone else's point of view.

So I find it hard to explain her lack of competence and ineptitude.

Could be because the Oxford PPE course ends up being too superficial because three subjects are studied rather than one? Or is it sometimes the case that those who graduate with this degree are so in thrall to a particular ideology that they cannot see the wood for the trees? Or could it be the case - as Ian Hughes has persuasively argued - that politics these days attracts more than its fair share of characters who are pathologically narcissistic, or even exhibit psychopathic traits?

I only wish I knew. But anyway, the following links may provide some clues:

How an Oxford degree – PPE – created a robotic governing class

If graduates from an architecture school designed buildings that were unfit for human habitation or doctors from a university’s medical faculty left death in their wake, their teachers would worry. The graduates of Oxford’s Politics, Philosophy and Economics course form the largest single...

www.spectator.co.uk

PPE: the Oxford degree that runs Britain

The Long Read: An extraordinary number of Britain’s elite studied philosophy, politics and economics at Oxford. But does it produce an out-of-touch ruling class?

www.theguardian.com

Being incompetent, inept and being pathologically narcissistic do seem to be almost requirements to succeed in politics.
Alexander depfeffel wore his faults and traits like a badge of honour. In fact he made them into endearing personality flaws, as witnessed by those who voted for and supported him with the bizarre claim that he was ‘just like us’ because he was, well, incompetent, inept and pathologically narcissistic.
I don’t think the dreadful truss woman is far behind.

 

[Saddleworth2]

This is something that I struggle with, as Truss does come across as being deeply stupid to me too, for the simple reason that she makes assertions which are self-evidently false or that can be subjected to a swift process of empirical trituration.

Having taught quite a number of sixth-formers who went on to study at Oxford, one thing that I can state quite unequivocally is that none of them, not one, would have come out with the kind of nonsense that she does. They were invariably of much higher calibre. They were also pretty well-rounded, could engage in highly sophisticated critical thinking, and were capable of empathy, of seeing the world from someone else's point of view.

So I find it hard to explain her lack of competence and ineptitude.

Could be because the Oxford PPE course ends up being too superficial because three subjects are studied rather than one? Or is it sometimes the case that those who graduate with this degree are so in thrall to a particular ideology that they cannot see the wood for the trees? Or could it be the case - as Ian Hughes has persuasively argued - that politics these days attracts more than its fair share of characters who are pathologically narcissistic, or even exhibit psychopathic traits?

I only wish I knew. But anyway, the following links may provide some clues:

How an Oxford degree – PPE – created a robotic governing class

If graduates from an architecture school designed buildings that were unfit for human habitation or doctors from a university’s medical faculty left death in their wake, their teachers would worry. The graduates of Oxford’s Politics, Philosophy and Economics course form the largest single...

www.spectator.co.uk

PPE: the Oxford degree that runs Britain

The Long Read: An extraordinary number of Britain’s elite studied philosophy, politics and economics at Oxford. But does it produce an out-of-touch ruling class?

www.theguardian.com

Good post mate. I struggle with it too. Normally at least such a course would give a veneer of intellect. In her case not though. My point is, even to be accepted on such a course must require some success at a-level, not normally associated with a stupid person. I tend towards the ’personality types’ and the group think towards a particular political philosophy. Johnson behaves like an imbecile bit again if you tested his IQ I’m sure it would be higher than average.

 

[Zuriblue]

 

[TheBlueDune]

Good post mate. I struggle with it too. Normally at least such a course would give a veneer of intellect. In her case not though. My point is, even to be accepted on such a course must require some success at a-level, not normally associated with a stupid person. I tend towards the ’personality types’ and the group think towards a particular political philosophy. Johnson behaves like an imbecile bit again if you tested his IQ I’m sure it would be higher than average.

Average IQ compared to the population? Just has to be greater than 100, not difficult even for Boris.
Average IQ compared to politicians? Don't know what that average is, probably around 120-125.

Being clever - knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Being intelligent - knowing that a tomato does not belong in a fruit salad.

 

[lust overlord]

It’s simpler than that in that she doesn’t actually believe in anything, save for some convoluted idea about the ‘free market’. It is something that affects more and more of our politicians and not in a good way.
They flip flop about, not actually believing in anything, just being slaves to the latest focus group. I suspect she seems a bit thick because she’s always trying to say what she thinks people want to hear. She’s gone from card carrying Liberal Democrat, through to member of Reform, co-written that dreadful book, fervent supporter of Remain to an unequivocal supporter of Brexit. She’s one of the very few of the latter to get a job under Johnson, which suggests that particular Damascene conversion is her final position and, although you’d hope that practicality will outweigh ideology, it rarely does, sadly.

In short both Truss and Sunak are weasels.

 

[Vic]

In short both Truss and Sunak are weasels.

They're Diesels.

(C) Thomas the Tank Engine

 

[Gabriel]

 

[Kevinblue10]

Average IQ compared to the population? Just has to be greater than 100, not difficult even for Boris.
Average IQ compared to politicians? Don't know what that average is, probably around 120-125.

Being clever - knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Being intelligent - knowing that a tomato does not belong in a fruit salad.

think average iq for present day politicians more like 115 now...there are some seriously stupid ones around...may have been around 125 30 years ago

 

[mat]

How long does a new Tory bastard leader get before a vote of no confidence can be put in?

Instaliz might not last until Christmas.

 

[Kirkstall Blue]

God help us all if she gets the top job she will turns us all into a slave workforce
Hope the other fella gets it now