From Alternet.org:
“It’s like these guys take pride in being ignorant.” Barack Obama finally said it.
Though a successful political and electoral strategy, the Right’s stand against intelligence has steered them far off course, leaving them — and us — unable to deal successfully with the complex and dynamic circumstances we face as a nation and a society.
American 15-year-olds rank 24th out of 29 countries in math literacy, and their parents are as likely to believe in flying saucers as in evolution; roughly 30 to 40 percent believe in each. Their president believes “the jury is still out” on evolution.
Steve Colbert interviewed Georgia Rep. Lynn Westmoreland on “The Colbert Report.” Westmoreland co-sponsored a bill that would require the display of the Ten Commandments in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, but, when asked, couldn’t actually list the commandments.
This stuff would be funny if it weren’t so dangerous.
In the 2004 election, nearly 70 percent of Bush supporters believed the United States had “clear evidence” that Saddam Hussein was working closely with al Qaeda; a third believed weapons of mass destruction were found in Iraq; and more than a third that a substantial majority of world opinion supported the U.S.-led invasion, according to the Program on International Policy Attitudes at the University of Maryland. The political right and allied culture warriors actively ignore evidence and encourage misinformation. To motivate their followers, they label intelligent and informed as “elite,” implying that ignorance is somehow both valuable and under attack.
and from Way of the Mind:
In my opinion, anti-intellectualism is one of the world’s most serious problems, these days.
What is it? It’s the belief that what is good are the “simple people”, the “common people”, who are supposedly more honest and “real” than so-called “ivory tower” intellectuals.
It’s also the belief that thinking and learning are trouble, that they lead people to unhappiness, sinfulness, asking too many questions, and such.
It’s geeks, or more intelligent students, being called “brainy” or “nerds” and harassed by classmates. It’s science being seen as a waste of time and money. It’s a political candidate winning an election because he successfully depicted his opponent as an “egghead”. Incidentally, it’s likely that one of the reasons America currently has one of its worst presidents ever is that, by being less educated and articulate than Gore or Kerry, he appeared “more in touch” with the common man (of course, one should then wonder if you really want the village idiot in charge of the most powerful nation in the world… but I digress.)
There are several sources of anti-intellectualism. Religion is an obvious one, of course, since being intelligent and learning makes one less likely to accept arguments from authority, and to question unproven assertions. An intelligent, learned man has no need for religion – therefore, we don’t want any intelligent, learned men (to paraphrase The Fountainhead’s Elllsworth Toohey).
Besides “normal” religion, there’s also the usual mystical, new age thinking, according to which the mind is “flawed” and imperfect, incapable of perceiving any real “revelations”, which you supposedly can only grasp with “your heart” or “your spirit”. The mind is human, and therefore imperfect, while the heart/spirit are filled with “the cosmos’s love” or any other generic, meaningless terms.
Another reason is populism, the belief that the honest, hard working “masses” are oppressed by the corrupt, privileged “elites”. While they certainly are, sometimes (in dictatorships, for instance), populism is wrong because of its belief of “the lower, the better”, and its worship of ordinariness. Populism, like most forms of collectivism, punishes people for ability and for success – therefore, it promotes mediocrity and sameness. And a populist certainly hates and feels threatened by anyone with more “brains” or education.
Dictatorships (communism, fascism, etc.) always strongly promote anti-intellectualism, for mostly the same reasons as religion does: an intelligent, educated person is much more likely to question, and to see “what’s rotten”. The “unwashed masses” are much easier to keep in line. Higher education is seen as “dangerous” and “subversive”.
An intellectual isn’t necessarily someone more intelligent or with more knowledge than the norm. It just means that the person highly values the mind, thinking, and the pursuit of knowledge. And it’s frightening, to me, how few intellectuals (by that definition) I personally know. Anti-intellectuals (people who deride the mind, who pride themselves on not thinking, on not using their reason), on the other hand, are everywhere.
During this presidential campaign we’ve heard the terms “elite” and “elitist” used as pejorative terms. I agree with Bill Maher when he said,
Say it loud: I’m elite and proud! The right-wing crusade to demonize elites has paid off. Now the country’s run by incompetents who make mediocrity a job requirement and recruit from Pat Robertson’s law school. New rule: Now that liberals have taken back the word liberal, they also have to take back the word “elite.” By now you’ve heard the constant right-wing attacks on the “elite,” or as it’s otherwise known, “hating.” They’ve had it up to their red necks with the “elite media.” The “liberal elite.” Who may or may not be part of the “Washington elite.” A subset of the “East Coast elite.” Which is influenced by “the Hollywood elite.” So basically, unless you’re a shitkicker from Kansas, you’re with the terrorists.
I don’t get it: In other fields — outside of government — elite is a good thing, like an elite fighting force. Tiger Woods is an elite golfer. If I need brain surgery, I’d like an elite doctor. But in politics, elite is bad (Source)
It’s not just politics, though. As the influence of fundamental religion grows worldwide, it is becoming perceived as honorable, honest, down-to-Earth to be ignorant and bad-mouth intellectualism. A 16 year old kid makes the news dropping out of high school to play Guitar Hero. Education and the desire to know are no longer priorities.
Do you value the intellect? Does the negative connotation of “elite” and “intellectual” bother you?
Monday, August 25th, 2008, 7:36 pm | 
Education, Government, Intelligence | 
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21 February 2010 at 3:34 am
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8 February 2010 at 1:15 pm
There's nothing new here. Young people have always harassed and denigrated good students. Unfortunately, those arrogant in their ignorance are now voters and parents so are passing their stupidity on to their children and trying to make ignorance the law of the land by forcing the teaching of creationism and pseudo-science.
The “dumbing down of America” is in its advanced stages and can only result in the total destruction of the country.
17 November 2009 at 10:00 am
Thank you for writing this, I've been trying to make my friends understand that “elitist” is just another derogatory right-wing word for “intelligent.” It really is tragic how, just like highschool, it's uncool to be smart. It's jealousy and stupidity rolled up into one big clusterfuck of dumb. Thank you for this post, I'll be sure to forward this to my friends.
-A fellow elite.
12 November 2009 at 10:00 am
The “Dumbing down of America” has been going on for some time. It is lead by the religious reich to whom thinking and intelligence spell doom. The media are eager helpers as anyone reading print media or watching TV can observe.
It's no wonder that countries like China and Japan are assuming leadership positions in technology and science. Goodbye, America. Hello Asia World.
25 September 2009 at 4:00 pm
How'd that work out btw?
29 June 2009 at 1:08 pm
How did that McCain Palin thing work out for you anyway?
15 June 2009 at 12:28 pm
Wow…for an article about the dangers of anti-intellectualism, that second statement was very un-intellectual and extremely uninformed. I think understanding that one is ignorant is far better than pretending that one knows things that he clearly knows nothing about.
In fact, followers of religious faiths are just like the rest of America: some are book smart, some aren't. Those who rise to the places of preachers and theological teachers, etc. (or even students who just want to further their education and understand their faith better), undergo rigorous work in college and seminary. Being one of those people, I know first-hand what kind of an education they actually get. Yes, we study our Bible. We revert to elementary school as we re-learn how to properly diagram sentences, read things in context, understand syllogisms…After all, it takes more than a pre-formed bias to know what the text actually says. We also study history. History through the eyes of the Church, and history through secular eyes. We study literature. Again, secular and sacred. Assuming one goes to a Bible-teaching institution, what is the point of teaching anything other than the Bible or spiritual things? Ah yes, because we live in the world. We need to be learning what the world is learning. We will get no where if we are lightyears behind the education of secular institutions. We will not get the same jobs, we will be looked down on for our ignorance, and we just won't be of any use. Admittedly, there are a select few in the faith (who unfortunately tend to be louder than the rest of us) who do reject any education. That is just irresponsible, and that is all that needs to be said. Again, what is taught in private schools/seminaries is the same as that which is taught in secular schools. We learn math, English, science, music, art, and so much more all through 1) the lens of Scripture and 2) the lens of our world.
So as for contestant #2's opinion on these matters, I would like to say again how disappointed I am at his assertions. “Religion is an obvious one, of course, since being intelligent and learning makes one less likely to accept arguments from authority, and to question unproven assertions.” I would just like to know what Christian he talked to and got this bull from. No one I know, for sure. Sounds like a pre-conceived notion that he hasn't bothered to check the facts on to see that this mindset simply does not exist in today's Christian view.
As to the subject matter, I couldn't agree more. If there is anyone who has such anti-intellectual opinions, I hope that he/she is not in a place of power. Education brings us farther and helps us judge more clearly the path that should be taken. I enjoyed reading these differing opinions, but I just ask that you be a little more responsible before posting on things which you know not about.
11 May 2009 at 8:19 am
Intellectual is not like being Republican or Democrat. Christian, Muslim or Jew etc. Its about ideas art culture based on what is known and discussed. A love of the sciences , art, music, writing all the things that contribute to allowing us to live together. Not about finding the quickest way to demolish all who dont agree. Its about having an open mind.
Its not even about winning an argument but about knowing how to ask the pertinent questions, listening, seeing.
Not total destruction.
11 May 2009 at 8:14 am
Which is why common sense is now taking it away from you. Get used to China, India and the other countries having their time.
11 May 2009 at 8:11 am
The Right the Left. Where is that? Draw a circle and tell me whats left and whats right. That is politics. But keep politics and religion out of free thinking also known as intellect.
11 May 2009 at 7:44 am
Interestingly, your measures are really messed up today eh?
Here comes another mess bigger than the great depression.Thanks to unbridled greed and ignorance, no not ignorance but blatant stupidity of basic economics.
Ignorance is not knowing stupidy is knowing but carrying on anyway.
11 May 2009 at 6:46 am
Who´s morality are we talking about here? Not those of unseen Gods and the ignorant I hope. Those who hold Moral superiority as you describe it are those running countries backed by unseen Gods.And look at the unfettered mess it has left.
11 May 2009 at 6:42 am
The United states picks its adversaries very well. Small nations with no ability to fight back. Name one war that the US entered against a nation with as much political and weaponry!
Never went to war with the Russians when the rounds for doing so were far more serious than the efforts in Iraque , Vietnam, Korea.
America handles business that makes you proud. HUh delusions of grandeur, megalomania, paranoia, narcssissm and mass ignorance more like. Actions like Bush are desperate because there are no ideas of how to solve problems. The one who raises the fist first is the one without ideas.
11 May 2009 at 6:33 am
Thank you for a brilliant observation. I value and cherish the intellectual as you so succinctly described it. Problem being that most dont even aspire to comfortable mediocrity.
I fear for mankind when art, culture, the sciences and literature are seen as elitist. We now have a culture of would be sportsmen and women. Nothing wrong with sports but at the cost of thought and a the need for knowledge that benefits all rather than the chosen team.
Politics and religion plays to the ignorance as you so correctly put it. Thats how its been for thousands of years. Its a form of control.
Thanks again.
11 May 2009 at 6:31 am
Oh, gee. Thanks.
So apparently, because I'm 17, and as such, haven't finished high school, I haven't anything relevant to say.
Well, I'm glad you're moderating this site with such fairness.
11 May 2009 at 6:26 am
“The peace movement is not an intellectual exercise. It is a vehicle for those who seek moral superiority.”
So, you're saying moral improvement is not a thing to aspire to?
11 May 2009 at 5:56 am
Uh-oh. Someone used the Magic Word!
Socialism! That's bad because the bad people used it! Mister President Man told me so (more than a decade ago).
Seriously, man. At least TRY to avoid being spoon-fed overused propaganda.
11 May 2009 at 5:42 am
Oh, right. Some of us are supposed to remember things we heard about, and barely even understood, at age eight.
I'm so sorry. I am so, so sorry.
8 May 2009 at 12:09 pm
I am so relieved to know there are others out there who feel the same.
7 May 2009 at 10:59 pm
If you want to have a good chuckle and also see one possible result of the right wing hatred of intellectualism (is intellectualism speaking with a full mind rather than just a full mouth?) check out the movie “Idiocracy”; It pretty much sums up what'll happen to humanity if “The Dumb Trend' continues.
7 May 2009 at 11:22 am
Roark, you're a stooge. I can't believe you can't see the forest because of the trees blocking your view.
7 May 2009 at 11:18 am
You do yourself a great disservice by grouping those who believe in flying saucers with those who believe in evolution; they're not mutually exclusive, I graduated high school 73rd out of 435 students in my class without even trying, while playing tenor sax for my first 3 years, and being involved on stage crew for all 4, culminating with the position of Stage Manager my senior year until I graduated. Getting back to the topic…
Of course I believe in evolution, without a doubt. I also, without a doubt, believe in 'flying saucers,' or, more correctly, extraterrestrial life. Without a doubt we are not alone in the universe. Does that qualify me for your 'stupid americans' group?
I'm not even going to read past the 2nd paragraph of your argument, it looks like YOU need to go back to grade school to learn how to write coherent papers.
3 May 2009 at 12:54 am
Some people saw it coming a long time ago. See “The Marching Morons” by C. M. Kornbluth. It was originally published in the April 1951 Galaxy Magazine. Of course, Kornbluth was far from the first. The idea of keeping the Mob content in its ignorance is at very least as old as the Roman Empire.
2 May 2009 at 3:35 pm
At the root of the problem lies obscurantism, propagating irrational standards for shame and pride.
29 January 2009 at 6:37 am
I'm out on the intellect as supreme ruler. I'm done listening to people who think because they are intellectual are higher beings. Stop with high v. low-judgment, that only works on morals. Both have serious points to defend. Without emotion there would be no intellect. Emotions used as goals are what upsetting. To me, they have and always will be means to get to higher understanding. Without intellect, emotions would run wild, going nowhere fast.
As for knowledge, I met an awful lot people who think they know everything because they went to college while anyone with sense knows: the more you know, the less you know. But admitting that is not an option for 'intellectuals' who have to maintain a degree of air and keeping up appearances. My son, at the highest form of education here in Holland, learns about Latin, ancient Greek, microbiology etc. But he can't calculate the groceries out of his head. He learns no daily-used words that anyone who did not received proper education can understand, making an enormous gap between him and simpler ones. He has no clue how to apply all his knowledge and turning it into wisdom. That is not his fault, there's only so much time at school, I tend to it myself. But don't tell me intellectuals should rule, because they tend to be pretty boring, predictable and uncaring with their
(useless) knowledge spreading all over the place.
Have you missed out on the credit crunch? Anyone who would have cared, would not have let this happen. But they were dismissed with the message “there is no place for the likes of you, softie”. There's more than the intellectual daggers. There's more than the feast of hedonism.
29 January 2009 at 12:30 am
Learn another language and leave the country with a degree in international affairs… Already got my minor in Spanish and working on a bachelors close to the other bachelors too… Quarter of the way their….
28 January 2009 at 11:52 pm
Wow, so true, I consider myself an intellectual, and i wish I could say those words you speak of. I love to learn, knowledge is my ecstasy. However, my ADD prevents me from being able to speak or write like this. A statement like this would have taken me weeks to write just to get the words to the way I was thinking.
So I thank you for compilling one of the better articles ive read in a while.
Thanks
28 January 2009 at 3:45 am
What bothers me is that someone could write an article about intellectual people with out doing any fact checking.” Dictatorships (communism, fascism, etc.)” Communism is not the same thing as dictatorship.
Communism is a socioeconomic structure and political ideology that promotes the establishment of an egalitarian, classless, stateless society based on common ownership and control of the means of production and property in general.[1][2][3] Karl Marx posited that communism would be the final stage in human society, which would be achieved through a proletarian revolution. “Pure communism” in the Marxian sense refers to a classless, stateless and oppression-free society where decisions on what to produce and what policies to pursue are made democratically, allowing every member of society to participate in the decision-making process in both the political and economic spheres of life.
A dictatorship is usually defined as an autocratic form of government in which the government is ruled by an individual, the dictator, without hereditary ascension. It has three possible meanings:
1. Roman dictator was a political office of the Roman Republic. Roman dictators were allocated absolute power during times of emergency. Their power was originally neither arbitrary nor unaccountable, being subject to law and requiring retrospective justification. There were no such dictatorships after the beginning of the 2nd century BCE, and later dictators such as Sulla and the Roman Emperors exercised power much more personally and arbitrarily.
2. A government controlled by one person or a small group of people.
3. In contemporary usage, dictatorship refers to an autocratic form of absolute rule by leadership unrestricted by law, constitutions, or other social and political factors within the state.
27 January 2009 at 11:15 pm
trust me. Roark doesn't believe a word he says. I have a close friend you acts the same way but doesn't actually believe any of it. It just a way to gain attention and a way to make himself feel like he belongs
27 January 2009 at 6:25 pm
John Stewart said………”if you do this job right your face will be carved into the side of a mountain”……of course our president should be an intellectual elite!
20 January 2009 at 11:58 pm
Jesus Holy Christ, please save us from people who rail against anti intellectualism yet cannot use commas correctly. They know not the irony of their ways.
20 January 2009 at 7:08 am
I wish I could name the orator I heard this from but I can't (cos I drink unchristian volumes of christ-blood). Whoever it was though, proper crystalized the conundrum we're facing here:
If you need brain surgery, you want an elite surgeon.
If you need to get off a wife beating charge, you want an elite lawyer.
If you want to win a world championship, you want an elite sportsperson.
Ergo: If you want a world leader – you want an idiot.
If you think you stand a chance arguing with this kind of logic, you're a bigger fool than your subject matter.
19 January 2009 at 6:43 pm
I would just like to say that a belief in God (in my case a Christian) does not negate the intellect or an understanding of science.
That Christ died in my place for my sin does not stop a glorious appreciation of all things scientific. A Creator does not negate the ideas of Darwin he just adds to the wonder of our Planet. I don't need to deny Dinosaurs to appreciate the Adam and Eve story. Nor does it render Christ dead.
Just needed to put the record straight
Thanks
19 January 2009 at 3:21 pm
In my psychological assessment class last semester, we learned that our average IQ's in Canada are significantly higher than the average IQs in America (as measured by the WAIS-III standardized intelligence test). What is frightening about this is that such a drift suggests intellectual deterioration in the U.S has gone beyond mere neglect of the education system (WAIS-III measures FLUID intelligence as well as education-acquired “crystallized” intelligence). It is growing entrenched. The potential de-emphasis of intellectualism among parents may even have the potential to affect their children's neural development, leading to a generational chain reaction of…..increasing stupidity. You guys have GOT to fight to fix this situation. Deteriorating intelligence in a country whose economy is based largely on technological innovation, science, and leadership could lead to a devastating collapse, and widespread loss of global influence. Indeed, it's already begun.
While the term “elite” bugs me because it implies a “better than” connotation, perhaps this is partly due to the perception that elites are aristocrats born to privilege or power, rather than leaders forged by learning, hard work, and passion. If we could re-define “elitism” as a term more indicative of merit than money, power, or breeding, I wouldn't cringe so hard at its use.
19 January 2009 at 2:59 pm
The GOP is WAS well on their way to 'dumbing down America,' enough is enough! Terrorists kill relative few in relation to Heart Disease, Poverty, and Disease. You would think Science would have a greater priority.
19 January 2009 at 1:44 pm
when talking about ignorance it's best not to quote the “messiah” Obama. He's just more of the same, with a different face. I think ignorance, in a way is just plain LIVING. Life is a fantasy, and we buy it. case closed wake up!!
19 January 2009 at 10:33 am
I'm fed up with you. You sit there self-fellating over how strong and masculine and america-loving you are, defending the Iraq debacle and declaring anyone who has decided that sending brave soldiers to fight for an unjust, unnecessary and ultimately unwinnable war is perhaps not particularly smart as a 'pussy', 'leftist', 'pathetic' and 'america hating'.
Firstly, put your own life where your mouth is and sign up. Go fight for the man you believe to be a 'principled man of action' in the shit storm that is Iraq. Oh you won't? No, you'd rather sit inside, safe and warm, and give yourself a pat on the back for swearing at people who despair of the anti-intellectualism that has decided flushing america's economy and world standing down the shitter is sound foreign policy.
If you spoke to ANY veteran of the Iraqi conflict, you'd probably label them an 'america hating hippy wimp' for their rejection of the war that is tearing families apart and ruining lives. Don't you dare try and group yourself with soldiers braver than you, or, indeed, myself. Support the troops by bringing them home safely, not by sending them to die.
Oh, and how do you feel now about McCain and Palin? Enjoy four years of 'communism'. It'll still be further right than ANYTHING in the civilised world.
19 January 2009 at 7:01 am
Roark, I'm done reasoning with people like you, and having to deal with lowlifes insulting and harassing others around them. Instead i know better to just insult your insignificant existence. I also know how bitter it is for you to take a loss.. but Obama won, and your pussy shit attitude towards life, how “you never lose” has just gave way. How stupid are you anyway? Everybody knows you learn the most from loss, but since you “Never lose” it just means your too stupid to realize when you have been beat. So you engage in meaningless forums and insult everybody who opposes your views just because you are too lazy to actually overcome whatever complex your tiny mind has been occupied with. Everyone is entitled towards their own opinion and in mine, i hate you, and i have reason to believe many other people hate you. ( you probably know that already don't you? you son of a bitch ) It doesn't matter whether i am a Leftist, Rightist, Moderate, or even a fisherman from Antarctica, and it doesn't matter if i know that hideous face behind the coward titled “Roark the Troll” To me your just another person who is willing to do the wrong thing to defend their pride. Just another scum who loves being a prick, or a nuisance to others around them. Finally, let my hatred upon your stupid existence be expressed and uncensored by this message of rage for ages to come.
P.S. I don't even care about “intellectualism” i just hate people like you so much i had to reply. you dumb mother fucking piece of shit.
19 January 2009 at 6:24 am
I agree, but where do we go from here? the trouble is the people who think usually dont act and the people who act quite often dont think.
To know but not to act is not to know at all, to act but not to know is not to act at all.
I want to do more!
6 January 2009 at 1:40 pm
Our education system is in shambles! But really I wish they would teach one thing well: Learning is fun in all areas of life, and you can teach yourself and figure out things for yourself. That insight, combined with some rudiments, will allow anyone to self-direct themselves towards education which won't require the tyranny of schoolteachers.
11 November 2008 at 2:11 pm
Intellect? Isn't that the company that makes computers? What was the question again?
22 October 2008 at 2:33 pm
This is one of the great problems in America. We need to value education again. When we were in our cold war with Russia we focused on science and mathematics and engineering fearing a knowledge gap with the Russians. Now we have let og of all that and we are flushing generations of children down the tubes. No great nation can remain so without education and desire to improve oneself. Thank you for writing this.
16 October 2008 at 1:36 am
Roark
Would you please repeat that stuff about McBush and Fluff rolling into the White House. That is as funny now as it was a month ago…
13 October 2008 at 5:00 am
I wonder at times about the level of intellectual thought vs the non-intellectual thought. It is a wonder that even though we, as intellectuals, grew up shunned aside from the mediocrity of growing up and life due to our “dreams” and “insights” of life, but now find ourselves submitted to real life media's lack of intellectual thought. As if that were the norm? Elite vs someone that actually think outside of the box of mediocrity?
…
In what world does that lack of thought make sense? You seek to define intellectual thought vs non-intellectual thought vs Elitism based on merely the premise of schooling or education vs the the content of the premise of the thought. How you fail to comprehend that the intellectual actually thinks such thoughts to not only see all sides of whatever issue they perceive, but seek other points of view to quantify or disprove their own thoughts.
…
Epiphany in the truest sense of the word would cry murder at the abortion of thought that you would insinuate. I am apalled. Why not find another concept to simply destroy with your simple lack of contention? Would the world being flat be next vs round? Poetry vs gimmick? Music genius vs musical versions of stupidity?
…
How low it seems to have some “intellectuals” fallen that now one can decry “non-intellectualism” as the norm of what is the mainstay of thought. To you, I salute…for I've never had a grander laugh. Next time that you open your fortune cookie, I'm sure your next doctorate will be in there. The “flight of icarus” comes to mind, how high is the sky for one who dreams? Yet you would not even allow Icarus or his father to ponder it, you'd simply say that mediocrity is the norm. Man walks, therefore we are sought amongst the grains of earth. Yet, dreams and words have power…i feel sorry for those who cannot perceive these words. To you, the true injustice has been done…for you live within the box of mediocrity.
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