though an odd twist of genetics, I was given a fairly good block of grey matter and lived close enough
to poverty growing up to insure a lifetime of insecurity to keep me working hard every day.
I don't think I have ever viewed myself as privileged. perhaps compared to third world countries... sure.
but I always viewed privilege as an unearned benefit, and within the context of that assessment, nope not even close.
I worked my butt off and scratched for everything I have.

 

Jerry-MA, this ^^^^is a REALLY GOOD clarification and it may even make me change my POLL vote (if I could ). I'm talking about unearned. I came from a very modest background (although not near to poverty), earned 1/4 of the cost of my college by newspaper jobs(first in my family to GRADUATE from college), and worked hard for where I am today. Nothing was handed to me.

 

All this patting myself on my back makes me think the next poll should be about humility. For most part, I think the majority of us were simply born at the right time, no matter our backgrounds.

 

I agree.

 

I'm one of them. I don't feel that any of the answers really match my own answer so I am not choosing (and I'm not asking for the poll to be adjusted to suit me, not that I feel others shouldn't). But I think the conversations and people's interpretations have been very interesting.

I got the impression that the point of the survey was to spark a bit of introspection, interpretation and discussion. It has done that quite well. There is no way the offered poll answers can really reflect everyone exactly and, since it's just discussion and not deciding the fate of the world, I don't think they need to either. :-)

 

I wonder if there are others who thought of this POLL in the same terms that Dean outlines above?

This was certainly part of the reason that I am one of the 2 current votes for "Privileged/ Embarrassed". Seems that a lot of viewers have not yet VOTED in the poll. [/quote]

I'm not embarrassed. I consider myself very fortunate to have won life's lottery, in a manner of speaking. When I consider the astronomical odds against me ever existing at all - let alone having been born into this way of life - I find it rather awe inspiring. And I try to remain appreciative as well as mindful of the less fortunate.

 

POST it and they will come....maybe the first evah DLQ POLL

 

A great post, Dean.