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Anything can be prestigious, given the right context. Nathan's hot dog eating contest is the most prestigious competitive eating contest in the world. But "prestige" itself connotates government/religion/education above all else, to me. Anybody else inclined to agree?
Education and cultural institutions, sure. But government and religion? Definitely not. I don't think I've ever heard anyone refer to a government entity, religion, or religion-related building as prestigious.
If DC's prestigious for anything its going to be for things like the Smithsonian, Georgetown, GW, American, etc.
pres·tige (prĕ-stēzh′, -stēj′)
n.
1. The level of respect at which a person or thing is regarded by others; standing: an act that boosted his prestige; a job with low prestige.
2. Good reputation; honor: Her accomplishments lent a lot of prestige to the college.
3. Great respect or importance: Doctors are usually treated with prestige.
I don't think most Americans think highly of Washington, DC... In fact, most think the complete opposite. This isn't the 1940s in which Americans admired and looked up to politicians. Americans strongly dislike "Washington" and politicians have no more prestige than investment bankers or Hollywood these days.
Finance, in my opinion, isn't a prestigious profession. Powerful, yes, professional, yes, and important, yes, but prestigious? No. I think people are conflating wealth/power with prestige, and they're not the same. Prestige, as I view the term, is much more tied to the public/diplomatic sector and the ideals of selflessness that they hold/represent.
When are power and prestige not the same? I mean, we live in a world where the strong are admired and respected, and not necessarily the righteous.
pres·tige (prĕ-stēzh′, -stēj′)
n.
1. The level of respect at which a person or thing is regarded by others; standing: an act that boosted his prestige; a job with low prestige.
2. Good reputation; honor: Her accomplishments lent a lot of prestige to the college.
3. Great respect or importance: Doctors are usually treated with prestige.
I don't think most Americans think highly of Washington, DC... In fact, most think the complete opposite. This isn't the 1940s in which Americans admired and looked up to politicians. Americans strongly dislike "Washington" and politicians have no more prestige than investment bankers or Hollywood these days.
That explains Donald Trump...
I don't know if Americans "look up" to politicians but they certainly think there's a lot of prestige in being a member of Congress. To say otherwise is ridiculous imo.
It's also silly to say that "finance isn't prestigious" considering the role it plays in the modern global economy. That sounds like a way to cherrypick certain criteria to favor DC.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GTSAMG
pres·tige (prĕ-stēzh′, -stēj′)
n.
1. The level of respect at which a person or thing is regarded by others; standing: an act that boosted his prestige; a job with low prestige.
2. Good reputation; honor: Her accomplishments lent a lot of prestige to the college.
3. Great respect or importance: Doctors are usually treated with prestige.
I don't think most Americans think highly of Washington, DC... In fact, most think the complete opposite. This isn't the 1940s in which Americans admired and looked up to politicians. Americans strongly dislike "Washington" and politicians have no more prestige than investment bankers or Hollywood these days.
That explains Donald Trump...
This is a very valid point, and is really the core issue of this debate: what professions/attributes do we define as prestigious? You're right that "traditionally" prestigious occupations like politicians and police men are no longer held as such unanimously.
Is prestige than really dependent on one's view? Is George Clooney more prestigious than Nancy Pelosi? Rahm Emanuel more prestigious than Taylor Swift? Tim Cook more prestigious than Bill de Blasio?
I don't know if Americans "look up" to politicians but they certainly think there's a lot of prestige in being a member of Congress. To say otherwise is ridiculous imo.
It's also silly to say that "finance isn't prestigious" considering the role it plays in the modern global economy. That sounds like a way to cherrypick certain criteria to favor DC.
I don't think so. An idiot like Donald Trump would get more respect and would be treated better at a restaurant than a congressman, who would probably be ignored.
America is a very different place these days.
Rightfully so. Being self-made is more prestigious and admirable than being a politician. And that's a fact.
I don't know if Americans "look up" to politicians but they certainly think there's a lot of prestige in being a member of Congress. To say otherwise is ridiculous imo.
I would have agreed with you back before money corrupted both houses so completely that they stopped getting things done.
I don't think so. An idiot like Donald Trump would get more respect and would be treated better at a restaurant than a congressman, who would probably be ignored.
America is a very different place these days.
There is a lot of prestige in being a member of Congress. What world are you living in? How many professions get the title of "Honorable"?
There is a lot of prestige in being a member of Congress. What world are you living in? How many professions get the title of "Honorable"?
It's prestigious to academics. To the rest of the world? No, not really.
Unless your name is Obama or something, people don't think too highly of you. Or even know who you are.
A self-made person is more "prestigious" in the eyes of the typical person. Prestige is also about image. Leave your Washington bubble..most people hate them and liken them to used car salesmen.
Bill Gates & Warren Buffett are more prestigious than John Boehner and Mitch McConnell, or any of the supreme justices. And every single person in Washington, besides the President. They command more respect, more admiration. You're delusional if you're disputing this.
Last edited by GTSAMG; 08-26-2015 at 03:50 PM..
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