Yay, I Can Be A Citizen!

Remember that TV show "Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader"?  To my way of thinking, there's really no winning in that show--if you don't know the answers, you're an adult who's not smarter than a 5th grader, and if you do know the answers, well, yay, you're an adult who's smarter than a 5th grader. 

That's kinda how I felt today when passing this citizenship test with a score of 24/24 (I admit, I wasn't 100% sure about the number of amendments to the Constitution).

Do You Live In A Bubble?

There exists a new upper class that’s completely disconnected from the average white American and American culture at large, argues Charles Murray, a libertarian political scientist and author.

Take this 25-question quiz, based on a similar one published in Murray’s 2012 book, “Coming Apart: The State of White America 1960-2010,” to find out just how thick your bubble is.

Take it at http://www.pbs.org/newshour/making-sense/do-you-live-in-a-bubble-a-quiz-2/

Are You On The Autism Spectrum?

I took the test here and these are my results:

You scored slightly higher than average on this test, but are still below the threshold of 32 points that would likely indicate an autistic spectrum disorder. Just because you have scored higher than average, it does not mean that you are likely to be autistic - many people who score highly have no problems functioning in their day-to-day lives. This can be because of a good match with their chosen career (anecdotally, mathematicians and computer scientists score higher in this AQ test) or because they have a supportive family/social network that prevents any secondary problems occurring. If you feel that you are not able to function normally in day-to-day life, it may be worth talking to your GP about these test results.

Are You Surprised?

I took an internet survey (a rather good one, actually, given the questions and the options) and it turns out I'd make a good Republican :)

I side with Republicans on most political issues.
Parties you side with...

89%
Republicans

on social, environmental, domestic policy, foreign policy, immigration, economic, and education issues.


87%
Conservative Party

on social, environmental, domestic policy, foreign policy, immigration, and economic issues.


86%
Constitution Party

on social, environmental, domestic policy, foreign policy, and economic issues.


75%
Libertarians

on domestic policy, healthcare, immigration, economic, and 2014 ballot issues.


34%
Democrats

on foreign policy issues.

"I Am Captain James T. Kirk of the Starship Enterprise."

I wouldn't have guessed I'd come out most like him:
Your results:
You are James T. Kirk (Captain)

James T. Kirk (Captain) 65% Jean-Luc Picard 60% Spock 55% Chekov 55% Beverly Crusher 55% Geordi LaForge 55% Uhura 50% Will Riker 50% Worf 45% Deanna Troi 45% Leonard McCoy (Bones) 40% An Expendable Character (Redshirt) 40% Data 37% Mr. Scott 25% Mr. Sulu 20%

You are often exaggerated and over-the-top   in your speech and expressions.    You are a romantic at heart and a natural leader.

Click here to take the Star Trek Personality Test

Are You Surprised By These Results? I'm Not....

It's been a long time since I've taken an internet political quiz--well, it had been a long time up till a few minutes ago!

I side with Republicans on most political issues.

Parties you side with...

88%

Republicans 

on social, economic, environmental, domestic policy, immigration, and science issues

60%

Libertarians 

on domestic policy and economic issues

34%

Democrats 

no major issues

19%

Green Party 

no major issues

1%

Socialist 

no major issues 

Parties you side with by issue...

More important to me

Immigration

I side with Republicans  on most immigration issues.

More important to me

Domestic Policy

I side with Republicans  on most domestic policy issues.

More important to me

Healthcare

I side with Democrats  and Libertarians  on most healthcare issues.

More important to me

Social

I side with Republicans  on most social issues.

More important to me

the Environment

I side with Republicans  on most environmental issues.

More important to me

Foreign Policy

I side with Libertarians , Green Party , and Republicans  on most foreign policy issues.

More important to me

the Economy

I side with Republicans  on most economic issues.

Somewhat important to me

Science

I side with Republicans  on most science issues.

The quiz itself is at http://www.isidewith.com/political-quiz.

The Latest Internet Meme--How Thick Is Your Bubble?

Go here to read about it online. The author's thesis is that we now have a ruling class so insulated from the experience of everyday Americans that they "make their judgements about what's good for other people based on their own highly atypical lives."

I took the 25-question quiz and scored 54:
Here are the scores that you could expect to get if you fit the following descriptions.
•
A lifelong resident of a working-class neighborhood with average television and moviegoing habits.
Range: 48–99. Typical: 77.
•
A first-generation middle-class person with working-class parents and average television and moviegoing habits.
Range: 42–100. Typical: 66.
•
A first-generation upper-middle-class person with middle-class parents.
Range: 11–80. Typical: 33.
•
A second-generation (or more)upper-middle-class person who has made a point of getting out a lot.
Range: 0–43. Typical: 9.
•
A second- generation (or more) upper-middle-class person with the television and moviegoing habits of the upper middle class.
Range: 0–20.Typical: 2.

I'm somewhere between the 2nd and 3rd categories, and my score matches that. This quiz is worth every cent you paid for it, and it's good if it causes you to think about your life experiences as they relate to others'.

Smart, or Not So Much?

Here's one of those "are you smarter than the average bear" quizzes. You have several seconds to answer each question, but I tried to answer them as fast as I could (because that makes it more fun!). I scored 26.

My Personality Type

I took a personality quiz at the LA Times. It's of no scientific value whatsoever, but it's easy and fun! Because there were a couple answers where I couldn't decide between a couple of choices, I went back and retook it and got the same results.

Click here to see the answers I chose (at least the first time), my personality type, and to take the quiz yourself:

You're a Dynamo

You believe in positive mental attitude. You're energetic and curious, with a love of life and an infectious enthusiasm for new adventures. Conscious of your place in the world, you like to stay informed about social and political issues and feel a duty to be environmentally responsible. You are inspired to make your mark and leave a positive legacy. You are energized by your vibrant network of friends and colleagues. Tech savvy and hungry for knowledge, you live life to the full, always seeking new adventures that broaden your horizons and take you out of your comfort zone.

You really value your friends and appreciate the buzz that you get when you spend time with them. You have a voracious appetite for fun. You like to throw yourself into new experiences and are open to the potential that exists to grow and develop as a person. Sometimes nothing is more appealing than the idea of truly getting away from it all to recharge your batteries and come back firing on all cylinders. Dynamo I believe in positive mental attitude. I'm energetic and curious, with a love of life and an infectious enthusiasm for new adventures.

Kinda sorta true, but what's nifty is they recommended some news articles based on my choices, and I really liked the articles!

Religious Belief

Here's the introduction to the "quiz" I took at BeliefNet:

Even if YOU don't know what faith you are, Belief-O-Matic^TM knows. Answer 20 questions about your concept of God, the afterlife, human nature, and more, and Belief-O-Matic™ will tell you what religion (if any) you practice...or ought to consider practicing.

So I took the quiz and here are my top five results:

1.	Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (100%)
2.	Eastern Orthodox (99%)
3.	Roman Catholic (99%)
4.	Orthodox Quaker (93%)
5.	Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (84%)

I'm certainly not surprised at the #1 answer, but I was surprised by what I read at that link. One would think that I'd agree with the major tenets listed since I scored 100%, but I absolutely do not (the Genesis creation story is one such philosophical difference, for example). So while I consider myself a "mainstream Protestant", I'm not a fundamentalist or evangelical--two categories that this quiz classifies under my #1 category.

Interestingly enough, Mormon came in #8 at 69%, Islam #9 at 69%, Jehovah's Witness #14 at 60%, and Scientologist #19 at 38%. And bringing up the rear:

26.	Secular Humanism (18%)
27.	Taoism (16%)

If it's not too personal, take the quiz and let us know in the comments how you score and if you think it's "right". I've certainly identified my own concerns about the label I was given.

Are You A Progressive?

Take this quiz and find out. For the record, my score was exceedingly low. Oh so low. Darned low.

Lefties will get in a snit over this quiz. Conservatives will howl with laughter--and then lament that too many people will score high on it.

12 Out Of 12

Paying attention to the news paid off for me on this quiz.

How Much Do You Know About Civics?

The quiz

My score, of which I'm quite proud:

You answered 55 out of 60 correctly — 91.67 %

Average score for this quiz during September: 75.1%
Average score since September 18, 2007: 75.1%

Update, 9/20/07: Here's a USA Today article about the quiz. The following two snippets caught my attention:

In general, the better a college's U.S. News & World Report ranking, the less its civic literacy gain. Yale, with the highest-scoring freshmen (68.94%), along with Princeton, Duke and Cornell, were among eight schools with freshmen outscoring seniors.

"Several of the colleges at the lower end of our survey are some of the most prestigious in the country, with average tuition, room and board somewhere north of $40,000 a year," Bunting says. "These are the schools, although their stated mission is to help prepare active citizens, that are the most derelict in their responsibility."

Personality Test

I just took another personality test, and here are the results:


So what does this mean, supposedly? Here is some explanation:

Inspector Guardians look carefully and thoroughly at the people and institutions around them. Making up perhaps as much as ten percent of the general population, Inspectors are characterized by decisiveness in practical affairs, are the guardians of institutions, and if only one adjective could be selected, "superdependable" would best describe them. Whether at home or at work, Inspectors are nothing if not dependable, particularly when it comes to examining the people and products they are responsible for-quietly seeing to it that uniform quality is maintained, and that those around them uphold certain standards of attitude and conduct.

These quiet, no-nonsense Guardians have a distaste for and distrust of fanciness in speech, dress, and living space. Their words tend to be simple and down-to-earth, not showy or high-flown; their clothes are often homespun and conservative rather than of the latest fashion; and their home and work environments are usually neat, orderly, and traditional, rather than up-to-date or luxurious. In their choice of personal property (cars, furnishings, jewelry, and so on) price and durability are just as important as comfort or appearance. Classics, antiques, and heirlooms are especially valued, having achieved a certain time-honored status-Inspectors prefer the old-fashioned to the newfangled every time. Even on vacation, Inspectors tend not to be attracted by exotic foods, beverages, or locales.

Their thoroughness and orderliness, combined with their interest in legality and standardization, leads Inspectors to a number of occupations that call for the careful administration of goods and services. Inspectors feel right at home with difficult, detailed forms and columns of figures, and thus they make excellent bank examiners, auditors, accountants, and tax attorneys. Managing investments in securities is likely to interest this type, particularly investments in municipal bonds and blue-chip securities. Inspectors are not likely to take chances either with their own or others' money, and the thought of a bankrupt nation, state, institution, or family gives them more than a little uneasiness. The idea of dishonoring a contract also bothers an Inspector -their word is their bond-and they naturally communicate a message of trustworthiness and stability, which can make them successful in business. With their eye for detail, Inspectors make good business men and women, librarians, dentists, optometrists, legal secretaries, and law researchers. High school and college teachers of business administration, home economics, physical education, civics, and history tend to be Inspectors, as do quartermaster officers in the military.

Yep, sounds like me, for the most part.

Here's another explanation:

ISTJs are often called inspectors. They have a keen sense of right and wrong, especially in their area of interest and/or responsibility. They are noted for devotion to duty. Punctuality is a watchword of the ISTJ. The secretary, clerk, or business(wo)man by whom others set their clocks is likely to be an ISTJ.

As do other Introverted Thinkers, ISTJs often give the initial impression of being aloof and perhaps somewhat cold. Effusive expression of emotional warmth is not something that ISTJs do without considerable energy loss.

ISTJs are most at home with "just the facts, Ma'am." They seem to perform at highest efficiency when employing a step-by-step approach. Once a new procedure has proven itself (i.e., has been shown "to work,") the ISTJ can be depended upon to carry it through, even at the expense of their own health.

ISTJs are easily frustrated by the inconsistencies of others, especially when the second parties don't keep their commitments. But they usually keep their feelings to themselves unless they are asked. And when asked, they don't mince words. Truth wins out over tact. The grim determination of the ISTJ vindicates itself in officiation of sports events, judiciary functions, or an other situation which requires making tough calls and sticking to them.

His SJ orientation draws the ISTJ into the service of established institutions. Home, social clubs, government, schools, the military, churches -- these are the bastions of the SJ. "We've always done it this way" is often reason enough for many ISTJs. Threats to time-honored traditions or established organizations (e.g., a "run" on the bank) are the undoing of SJs, and are to be fought at all costs.

Recognize anyone there? Yeah, me too!

True, So True

Your Brain is Yellow

Of all the brain types, yours is the most intellectual. You crave mental stimulation, and your thoughts tend to very complex. Your thoughts tend to be innovative and cutting edge, though many people don't understand them. You tend to spend a lot of time thinking about science, architecture, and communication.

What Color Is Your Brain?

I've Become More Conservative Over Time

THIS is the test I took years ago and on which I scored 25. 0 is a Jesse Jackson Liberal, 20 is Colin Powell, and 40 is a Ronald Reagan conservative.

25 is George Bush the Dad, and I was happy to be in that company. However, I just scored 32 on this test (between Jack Kemp's 30 and Bob Dole's 35), still in great company. I suspect that my increased conservative score comes from a stronger support for the 2nd Amendment than I had in the past.

However, I'm not convinced that a linear representation is the best for identifying political affiliation. The libertarians have a 2x2 array for political affiliation, one in which I was identified as a centrist but leaning right. In the comments on that post are links to other internet quizzes, and on one of of those I scored

The Political Compass
Economic Left/Right: 4.38
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -0.82

These appear to be 10-point scales each way; I'm 4.38 units right, and .82 units towards libertarian.

I'm in the same quadrant as Milton Friedman, so I have good company. Again, this is about where I expect to be--distance-wise, not too far from the center.

So we'll take these quizzes with a grain of salt. But when we have many grains put together, and they're all white, perhaps we have the contents of a shaker.

Internet Quizzes

You probably can't read it, but I'm 80% Taurus.

You are 80% Taurus

How Taurus Are You?

You Are Super Spicy

You're a little bit crazy, a little bit naughty, and a whole lot of sexy. You go beyond hot - you set people's senses on fire!

Are You Hot?

Heck, and I answered those questions honestly, too!

Your Aura is Violet

Idealistic and thoughtful, you have the mind and ideas to change the world. And you have the charisma of a great leader, even if you don't always use it! The purpose of your life: saying truths that other people dare not say Famous purples include: Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., Susan B. Anthony Careers for you to try: Political Activist, Inventor, Life Coach

What Color Is Your Aura?

You Are 70% "Average American"

You are average because you don't think people should be jailed for using marijuana. You are not average since you would pay to go in space.

How "Average American" Are You?

Most Americans wouldn't pay to go into space? Are you kidding???

You Are Royal Blue

People find you difficult to understand. In fact, you often find it hard to understand yourself. You think so much that sometimes you get lost in your own thoughts!

What Color Blue Are You?

What Your Bathroom Habits Say About You

You are very independent and self-centered. You don't solve other people's problems - and you don't expect them to solve yours. Your idea of fashion is jeans and a t-shirt. Clean, if you're lucky. You have the perfect blend of confidence and class. You're proud of who you are - but you don't broadcast it. In relationships, you are practical and realistic. You have a romantic side, but you only let it out when it's appropriate.

What Do Your Bathroom Habits Say About You?

I'm not proud of this one, but I answered the questions honestly:

Your Inner European is French!

Smart and sophisticated. You have the best of everything - at least, *you* think so.

Who's Your Inner European?

You Are 44% Evil

You are evil, but you haven't yet mastered the dark side. Fear not though - you are on your way to world domination.

How Evil Are You?

You Belong in 1980

If you scored... 1950 - 1959: You're fun loving, romantic, and more than a little innocent. See you at the drive in! 1960 - 1969: You are a free spirit with a huge heart. Love, peace, and happiness rule - oh, and drugs too. 1970 - 1979: Bold and brash, you take life by the horns. Whether you're partying or protesting, you give it your all! 1980 - 1989: Wild, over the top, and just a little bit cheesy. You're colorful at night - and successful during the day. 1990 - 1999: With you anything goes! You're grunge one day, ghetto fabulous the next. It's all good!

What Year Do You Belong In?

Your Personality Cluster is Extraverted Thinking

You are: Organized and logical - a master at puzzles Competitive in almost any arena of life Objective when necessary, but passionate about what you truly love Intolerant of excuses and incompetence

What's Your Personality Cluster?

And lastly, for those ideologues who like to project their personal failings onto me:

Your Vote Score: 65% Republican, 35% Democrat

While you don't always agree with the Republican party, it's a pretty good match for you. Do be sure to research each candidate. A conservative Democrat or independent candidate might fit you better at times.

Should You Vote Republican or Democrat?

How Smart Am I?`

OK, I admit that I guessed on a couple. But still!

9/9 Genius

You are 85% knowledgable and 96% intellectual. Amazing! You have an incredible brain (intellect) and a powerhouse of information (knowledge)! Keep up the impressive work-- we all bow to you.

To show how smart I am, I'm not cutting/pasting the code they gave me at the end of the quiz--that created a lot of trouble on the last one, which is why I had to cut a bunch of it out (and thereby lost the URL).

The Knowledge vs. Intellect Test

See? I *AM* A Centrist!

Of course you lefties don't want to believe it, but I took this official internet quiz and the results are clear.

Neo-Conservative
You scored 36% Personal Liberty and 52% Economic Liberty! A neo-conservative believes in moderate to high government intervention on personal matters and moderate government intervention on economic matters. Unlike most other conservatives, they may tend to support a social safety net, though to a lesser extent then most leftists. Others are more capitalistically inclined. They tend to support war, police powers, foreign intervention and laws restricting personal liberty. Neo-conservatives tend to emphasize foreign policy. Neo-conservatism is the result of "fusion" between "old left" and "new right" tendencies.



I admit that both scores are lower than I thought they'd be, but I'm not surprised that I fall in the "centrist" category. My detractors refuse to accept it, but it's true. Here in California they think I'm a right-wing zealot, and in Utah they think I'm a flaming lib. As I've said before, I should just move to Nevada =)

Bogus Posting

You Are Coke

A true original and classic, you represent the best of everything you can offer. Just the right amount of sweet, just the right amount of energy... you're the life of the party. Your best soda match: Mountain Dew Stay away from:Dr Pepper

What Kind of Soda Are You?

Your Sexy Brazilian Name is:

Danilo da Costa

What's Your Sexy Brazilian Name?

You Are Las Vegas

Wild and uninhibited, you enjoy all of life's vices. You're a total hedonist, especially with sex, gambling, and drinking. You shine brightly every night, but you do the ultimate walk of shame each morning. Famous Las Vegas residents: Wayne Newton, Howard Hughes, Penn & Teller, Siegfried & Roy

What American City Are You?

I do like Vegas. But I never thought of myself as being like Vegas.

Your Love Element Is Fire

In love, you are a true listener and totally present. For you, love is all about feeling more alive than you've ever felt. You attract others with your joy and passion. Your flirting style is defined by your strong ability to communicate. Fun and play are the cornerstones of your love life. And while your flame may burn too brightly, it's part of your appeal. You connect best with: Wood Avoid: Water You and another Fire element: will likely burn out quickly

What Element Is Your Love?

I answered this quiz for someone who devastated me. Water. Go figure. I sure can pick 'em, huh?

Your Brain's Pattern

Your brain is always looking for the connections in life. You always amaze your friends by figuring out things first. You're also good at connecting people - and often play match maker. You see the world in fluid, flexible terms. Nothing is black or white.

What Pattern Is Your Brain?

Last sentence? Totally wrong.

Your Job Dissatisfaction Level is 17%

Sure, no job is perfect - but yours is pretty close. You're resepcted by your co-workers and boss. Plus, you usually get credit for your succcesses. Don't quit, unless you know you've got something better lined up.

Should You Quit Your Job?

I guess that's good news, right?

You Are 36% Evil

A bit of evil lurks in your heart, but you hide it well. In some ways, you are the most dangerous kind of evil.

How Evil Are You?

Is this good news?

Your Seduction Style: Au Natural

You rank up there with your seduction skills, though you might not know it. That's because you're a natural at seduction. You don't realize your power! The root of your natural seduction power: your innocence and optimism. You're the type of person who happily plays around and creates a unique little world. Little do you know that your personal paradise is so appealing that it sucks people in. You find joy in everything - so is it any surprise that people find joy in you? You bring back the inner child in everyone you meet with your sincere and spontaneous ways. Your childlike (but not childish) behavior also inspires others to care for you. As a result, those who you befriend and date tend to be incredibly loyal to you.

What Kind of Seducer Are You?

If only this were true.

Snickers

Nutty and gooey - you always satisfy.

What Kind of Candy Are You?

This seems true.

You Are 26 Years Old

Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe. 13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world. 20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences. 30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more! 40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax.

What Age Do You Act?

Didn't I take this quiz before? And didn't I get the same result?