That's a very hard thing to help the establishment know…
“That's a very hard thing to help the establishment know. We're still an establishment that thinks the average mentality is something like 13 years of age, that never forgot H.L. Mencken's notion that nobody lost money underestimating the intelligence of the American people. That's the horseshit the establishment has always lived with.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Criticizes underestimating public intelligence, warning against elitist attitudes that dismiss average people's capabilities.
In simple terms: Don’t underestimate ordinary people’s smarts.
Key Takeaway
Respect public intelligence.
Themes
politics
media
elitism
Mood
critical
skeptical
Type
political
analytical
When to use this quote
- policy making
- media analysis
- education
- public discourse
Key Concepts
public opinion
critical thinking
democracy
Questions to Reflect On
- How can leaders better gauge public understanding?
- What evidence supports your claim?
A Different Perspective
May overgeneralize public opinion.