FWIS3

Apparently a kid at Princeton wrote an essay that people should stop telling him to "check your privilege" because he worked for everything himself and people should stop saying this to him when he spouts conservative views.

On the one hand, I agree that this seems like a pretty pretentious phrase and it shuts down debate- you can point out how someone's had advantages in life, but implying that then they can't make observations is a bit dumb (you are of course free to point out their observations suck).

On the other, I'm pretty sure this guy is a douchebag in real life.

I have never heard of the phrase, never heard anyone use it, barely understand what it means.

I don't really care if you are pretentious because you inherited it, or you earned it yourself; to either person I say "get over yourself".

I've always thought that the excessive use of the "Moral Superiority" attitude was what drove John Q. Public in the US away from the left in the late 70s/early 80s (I know It bugs the living hell out of me, that's probably why).

Having said that, I think it's rather obvious by now that right did just as bad or worse: considering that the great recession happened under THEIR watch, despite all of their pious baloney, I think that is a contributing factor to driving moderates away.

The kid is messed up.
He fails to grasp the fundamental part of life, that no one, no one is self made and has earned everything himself.
Everyone relies on the background support of those in both society and family.
Take that away and no one would achieve a thing.
When that combines with the attitude, "I did it, so if you can't that's your fault."
That then twists into, anyone that doesn't make it is lazy, a good for nothing etc.
Next thing you know, you're an elitist sob with head up ass syndrome.
See Donald Trump for a picture of what that's like or many of the politicians around.

It's when douche bags like this that can't understand that simple concept people are right to use the term, "check your privilege".
He doesn't get it at all.