Maybe we're all a little pompous and faggy.

Today I had a conversation with a man who said he did not like NPR because, "All those smart people on there sound pompous and faggy and it makes me mad." I think he shouted something about a tea party and death panels shortly after that.

Wow! Sure some of the guests could be held accountable for fits of smugness from time to time. But for the most part, NPR provides a quality product. A healthy daily dose of NPR keeps a person informed and engaged. Many NPR programs are a valuable part of my day. I even give $10 or $15 every year to help support their programing.

While my initial reaction was to defend NPR. Later, when I was able to reflect on the exchange I realised it wasn't about NPR. At the risk of sounding like a stoner. 'It goes deeper than that, MAN!' My friend disliked the content because of its focus. Programing with intellectual value is distasteful to him.

It's as thought being thoughtful, well read and intellectually active are considered threats to many. We see it in political campaigns when one candidate calls the other an 'elitist' or implies that an opponent is to 'intellectual'. It can be seen in day to day interactions like mine. Even the school yard, where the 'smart kid' gets picked on by the (insert stereo type here).

The cries of snob, elitist or pompous faggy type make me think twice about tipping my hand. Dare I tell anyone I'm interested, engaged, a reader, a thinker or even worst college educated. I don't want to be considered feminine, faggy, pompous or weird by my neighbors and coworkers. Are there others out there like myself. Closet intellectuals, night time polymaths, back room book readers.

What should I do? Keep thinking I guess.