The cult of ignorance in the United States: Anti-intellectualism and the "dumbing down" of...

Smart, educated, well read and experienced people can look at the same set of facts and come to different conclusions. The "anti intellectualism" comes from the left at anyone that disagrees with their conclusion. It is an attempt to force compliance to the ideology (not intellect)

There is clearly an issue with the education system in this country which is in the firm grasp of the leftists that decry anti-intellectualism the loudest and most frequently. They are at least able to recognize some of their best (or worst) work.

The art of real intellect (or genius) is to make complex things simple. The art of modern day intellectualism appears to be to make simple things complex.

We have a lot of ignorant people running about. All you need do is watch a man on the street interview or talk to someone at the mall sitting at the table next to you. Today, everyone has an avenue to spew their ideas, good ones and bad ones.

As George Orwell pithily wrote "“There are some ideas so absurd that only an intellectual could believe them.”

This quote of Bill Keller is very true: "The new elite are the angry social media posters, those who can shout loudest and more often, a clique of bullies and malcontents baying together like dogs cornering a fox. Too often it's a combined elite of the anti-intellectuals and the conspiracy followers - not those who can voice the most cogent, most coherent response. Together they foment a rabid culture of anti-rationalism where every fact is suspect; every shadow holds a secret conspiracy. Rational thought is the enemy. Critical thinking is the devil's tool. "

Great article.

Personally my wife and I aren't solely relying on the pubic school system to educate our daughter . Besides the academics we've worked with her on a number of things - time management, study habits and sourcing. As well trying to break the nerd stereotype; you can be smart without being nerdy. So far so good as she's currently in advanced reading and math.

But what is to be expected when we celebrate, glorify and compensate stupidity. Need different role models not only for the kids but their parents as well.