fucktoyprincess
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Okay, a lot of great comments. I have some reaction to a few (I'm not quoting people just to make my post shorter - so, people, just follow the thread):
Marc2b - I don't know enough about South America to add perspective to this dialogue. If someone else does, please do. Is South America more like the US or more like France on this?
LaT - I do think as education becomes more and more out of reach for the average American that this will continue to be an issue. Although I would argue that anti-intellectualism was around even when public education was doing much better, and tuition rates were much lower. Certainly since the 80s, education has increasingly become a luxury good.
LadyHib - I have long been an advocate for having courses like civics courses, financial planning etc. at the high school level, so that young adults graduate with certain life skills. I also support a trade school system like what you see in much of Europe. We are in a weird situation where there is tremendous anti-intellectualism, but then when one begins to discuss giving young people real world marketable skills that, too, is scoffed at. People hate intellectuals, but also seem to hate the idea of blue collar or trades type work. So we end up with a bunch of people in the middle - midlevel management types who are neither smart enough to contribute at a higher level, nor trained in the skills we need for our workforce. What gives here? (and with DomYngBlk, I also agree religion has not helped).
Madramblings - Bill G and Mark Z have, of course, done alright for themselves because, like many others on this thread they don't care what others think of them. But please understand they are also among two of the most despised people in the country (and only partly because they are rich). They are absolutely despised by part of the population simply for being smart. I wouldn't call them much beloved by the American populace.
Stellauk - I agree that part of the anti-intellectual sentiment is a sentiment against things that are not seen as "useful", however, I would say that in the US, this extends more broadly to just "smart" people in general, regardless.
Generally, as I read through the comments, it seems to me that some form of education reform is necessary, both in terms of cost, but also a readjustment of what is valued, what is considered important educationally.
And just to return to the issue of leadership for a moment, the average American would never contemplate going to a doctor that did not have a medical degree, would probably not want to drive on a bridge that had not been designed by an engineer, would not want to be protected by a police force that had not been trained on how to use a gun safely. And yet, at times, what we choose for leadership at the highest levels, Congress, President, etc. leaves a lot to be desired. And the politicians who are well educated immediately get labeled elitist. Immediately.
I feel like America is driving on a bridge that was designed by a reality tv personality - and the question is, how long is it going to hold before we go plunging into oblivion? Do we not deserve higher quality people in politics?
< Message edited by fucktoyprincess -- 10/3/2012 2:20:32 PM >
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RE: Why Are Americans Anti-Intellectual? - 
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