Anti-intellectualism still a problem?

[madamreign]

When I was young, anybody who did well academically was a swot, snob, stuck-up, getting above themselves, too big for your boots, who does she think she is etc.

I'm not seeing that so much now.

Is the UK getting over that attitude?

I think so. I have always been academic - now run a research agency (so the intellect in me is still alive) - 10 years ago I found myself dumbing my personality and being “basic” whereas now I feel like I can geek out abit. It’s finally seen as a good trait.

I think geeks are cool and I believe the main reason is sadly because they have financial value (or at least linked to it). Once upon a time, being intellectual almost felt pointless - whereas now we know that many of the big tech founders and biologists have the power and wealth to impact economies and policies.

It’s also social media, there is a rise in the subculture of being intelligence - sharing information and being an expert in your field - people love it.

Lastly the next generation (after Z and younger Gen-Zs) absorb and retain information like a small computer. I’m around children today (from being a mum and observing) and have noticed that information is openly available and powerful. My mum used to childmind when I was young and we and the younger children didn’t have intellectual conversations at all!! In the past, you had to work for knowledge.

Hmm.. interesting observation. It was the same as you describe growing up in Ireland. I wonder was it the same everywhere? It certainly seems it was in USA (basing this entirely on high school TV and movies). Its great it has changed, there was a real trend of girls dumbing down so boys would like them. I hope someone who works with teenagers can shed some light on your theory

Everyone's an expert now thanks to the Internet 😊

Not sure. People love “facts” from the internet and reciting “true things” they’ve learnt online, but they’re often either nonsense or the truth so heavily filtered that it’s essentially nonsense.

I agree with @MadamPia that economic success increases a role’s value, but ever since Gove’s “We’ve had enough of experts” and the rise of populism, climate denialism, and post-Wakefield vaccine refusers, I’m not sure we’re near any stage of our society celebrating intelligence, in-depth knowledge and boring, careful thought.

I take your point, but the very fact that climate change denial, anti-vax etc is bundled together as nutjobbery suggests that it's less acceptable. Being that willfully stupid is not fashionable, for want of a better word

Exactly this. The current thread from a poster whose dimwit conspiracy theorist boyfriend fell out with her visiting son and his girlfriend, both economists, had a scary number of responses that suggested the boyfriend’s ‘facts’ culled from nutters’ YouTube and flat earther subreddits were just as valid as the two experts’ qualifications, research and professional knowledge.

And another set of posters felt that the son and his girlfriend should have said ‘Whoops, silly us — it’s your house, you obviously know best!’

So no, I don’t think anti-intellectualism has gone anywhere.

My niece (17) tells me it's cool to be smart these days.

Two of the three men who are standing for Prime Minister at the next election believe that a ‘woman’ can have a penis. So I don’t think anti intellectualism has gone very far…..

@HernesEgg Would you be willing to link to that thread? I am curious as am facing a similar situation in real life

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4907435-new-partner-and-son-falling-out?page=7&reply=129610260